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Chelsey
Admin
Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 15721
Location: Indiana
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 Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 6:52 pm Post subject: Conformation Training |
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It normally starts around 8 wks. However, the pups have NO attention span
at this time but it is good to get them used to standing on a table and
atleast KIND OF standing still at this age. I make it as fun as I can to be on
the table with toys and treats. After their initial intro to the table and they are starting to
LIKE being up there then I move on to only treating them when they are
standing still. I dont care how they are standing at this age as long as they
are still.
When they get to be about 13 wks you can start training them to stand
where you want them. Place their feet in a stack and then bait them.
Let them nibble the treat until they move. Yes, this could only be for an
instant! But as soon as they move their feet from where you placed them
take the bait away say "no" and put their feet back in the right spot and
then continue baiting until they move again....repeat over and over and
over but eventually you will see that they will stay still longer.....while they
are being baited
Now once they have this down COLD move on to taking the bait away
and if they stand still lavish praise on them and treat them. I usually
wave my hand up and down slowly and say "Stand" bait them for holding
still in their stance. This is still on the table not on the floor yet.
Once they will stand still for you on the table for atleast a minute
then you are safe to move to the floor.
Put their show lead on them and let them walk around and get used
to it. They might go crazy at first and pay no attention to you. What I do
is I get comfy on the floor sit and watch a TV program with the puppy
on a leash. Whenever they stand still (even if its not a true stack) I treat
them and praise them. Once they realize all they have to do is stand
still for a treat (yes this can take awhile for them to realize that tho!!!
Smile ) I then bait them into a true stance and then treat them. Do forget to use
your command word so they associate it with standing correctly. So now
they are only getting treats when they are standing in a correct stack.
This could take some time. It just depends on how quickly the pup
catches on.
Once they are standing in a stack waiting for a treat I now stand up
and walk them on their lead (this is all done over alot of weeks
gradually btw....not all in a few days) When I stop I want them to stop
and stand in a stack expecting a treat. This is where your pateince will
be tried. Whenever they stop in anything close to a stack treat them
and say the command. I use "Stand" once they get that again we then
start only treating them when they are standing in a correct stack.
This usually takes ALOT longer to train them to do cause you are not
on the table right in their face. Just alot of patience when it comes to
puppies!!!
Next is the final step and they are usually not doing this smoothly until
about 5 months or later. And that is being able to gait them properly
on a lead and then when you stop they look at you and stack on their
own. No matter the distractions. Also they have to be willing to stand
perfectly still on a table and allow a judge to feel them (sometimes
roughly) everywhere including their genitals. They also have to be willing to allow a judge to examine their mouths as well.
I really hope this helps!!! I know its really long and it doesnt even
cover everything!!! (Like leash training and table behavior) But i hope
it helps! If i can help you any other way i will try!
Last edited by Chelsey on Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:35 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Bakayasha
House Broken
Joined: 28 Jul 2007
Posts: 114
Location: Drayton Valley, Alberta, Canada
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| Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 12:46 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you very much Chelsea this has been a really nice refresher for me. I remember reading a while back about conformation training pups, and I didn't think I retained much of it since i knew I wouldn't be getting a show puppy for years, but now that I have my own show puppy coming I am paying much more attention and trying to remember years and years of such reading. 
This was detailed enough for me to get a good grasp of the basic steps to take. Any further info you have, especially maybe were you have run into problems with your own pups, sharing that would be great too!  |
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Chelsey
Admin
Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 15721
Location: Indiana
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| Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:39 pm Post subject: |
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LOL, where haven't I ran into problems with my puppies 
One thing I have learned is how to get a dog to "fix their feet". Once you have all this down, and you have a dog that is stopping with a foot sticking forward (front or back) a quick and easy way to get them to learn how to fix their feet (get them all lined up) is to step at that foot and use a command when they move their foot back. I always use "fix your feet". That way when you take a step at the foot that is sticking out, they will move it back automatically, and when they move it back you mark that action with a command and a treat. If they have everything else down, they will usually pick this up fairly quickly.
Don't get to freaked out about all this. The biggest battle is just having a dog who is happy at the shows and enjoying themselves! |
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Bakayasha
House Broken
Joined: 28 Jul 2007
Posts: 114
Location: Drayton Valley, Alberta, Canada
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| Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 11:37 am Post subject: |
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Thanks so much! You are so wise 
i will remember that one for when Mr.C gets here ^_^ |
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OutiDivin
Best in Show
Joined: 29 Sep 2007
Posts: 1272
Location: B.C. Canada
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| Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 12:02 pm Post subject: |
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You're so right Chelsey ..."Happy, Happy, Happy!!!" that is sooooo important! I think that's the number one mistake to take it too seriously esp. in the ring. If the dog is not happy - it is waaaay harder to win, if the tail is down - no matter how gorgeous the dog is - it won't win. All your training should be fun. If he's not happy -stop, throw a toy, play with him. You have to be happy too ... I look like a fool sometimes with the excited talking I do with Peggy, but hey, it works  |
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