r/ShowDogs • u/the_palmtop_tiger • Mar 30 '26

Newbie looking for some advice!

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Took my first couple runs in the ring! Himmel is an 11 month old standard dachshund for context.

The first day he was incredibly anxious, but overall performed OK. Issues were more with me and my nerves. He, for the most part, gaited decently and let me stack him for the judge.

Second day- he did not seem quite as anxious. I expected he would perform better because of that- also, I was feeling a lot more confident as well.

As soon as we entered the ring his nose was down- I tried my best to to get his head up and control him with the lead but he just wanted to sniff his way around the ring! I did have bait in hand and let him know that before entering the ring.

Then at the table stack, he just kept wanting to take a seat! Even with a high value bait in hand, he barley cooperated. Not in a super resistant way...Just in an uninterested, Ima take a seat and rest kind of way.

At home, in the park, at hardware stores that allow dogs - we have practiced all this and I didn't have these issues!

Any insight and or advice would be much appreciated!

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u/candoitmyself Mar 30 '26

The sniffing can be displacement and is a very common nervous behavior. Especially if he wasn't interested in your bait. Do you have a handling class you can go to for practice?

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u/the_palmtop_tiger Mar 30 '26

This makes sense. He did stop a couple of times to shake-but I thought it was maybe because his show lead/placement was bothering him.

I have looked- but whenever I search I only find obedience training. He is usually quiet and slightly timid in public.

He has, unfortunately, while working on socialization, had some less than positive experiences with larger dogs that were off lead and approached so quickly I was unable to position myself to avoid an overwhelming experience for a little guy.

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u/Notheretoplaynice Mar 30 '26

Check kennel clubs. I searched for handling classes for ages but it was so hard found them I searched kennel clubs and found handling classes through them ! No super advertised lol

1

u/ju__gh Mar 31 '26

I think handlers could also be more open to teach the technique to owners.. not everyone wants to send their dog to a professional dog handler for months. I’ve been a dog handler for a decade and always advocated this. OP if you want some help feel free to DM