05/07/2025
IF the dog is leaning away or avoiding judges....
When a dog has an issue with judges going over him, it is common for people to want to walk around the show having multiple random people go over the dog. I get why people would "think" this is a good idea, but generally, it isn't.
Frequently, if I am at a show and I know the dog, I will offer to go over the dog which sometimes causes people to say, "I don't need you to go over him, I need people he doesn't know", but this thinking is flawed.
If a dog is at a show and is going to be going into the ring, if anyone is going to go over the dog, it needs to be someone the dog knows and feels comfortable with.
Consider this...when the dog goes into the ring he will be faced with the exact scenario he is struggling with: a stranger going over his body. So, if we have a bunch of people the dog doesn't know go over him, you are actually creating a trigger stacking event where the dog is likely to SENSTIZE (get worse) rather than DESENSITIZE (get better). This is the topic for tomorrow's post, so keep your eyes peeled for what desensitization is and what it isn't!
What I want at the show is for the dog to practice the routine or "pattern" of what will happen in the ring, but at a low intensity level (with a person the dog is comfortable with). This allows the dog to practice in a way that will not create anxiety for the dog. Further, having a lot of people go over a dog that is anxious and leaning away or avoiding the "judge" gives the dog a lot of practice of this behavior we don't want him to perform.
Need more help? Check out From Shy to Showy program for dogs that are shy, timid or simply don't seem to enjoy the show ring.
https://showdogprepschool.com/from-shy-to-showy-full-package/
