Not going to show kenny anymore

I've decided to stop showing Kenny. I dont think he likes it. He walk beautifully, walks into a stand. But i've been told that i should stack him 1st. He just wont. He's better than he was. I fed up of being told to be more firm with him. I am firm, and if i get any firmer he gets nervous and lies down. So, im not doing it, why frighten him for a bloody rosette. No thanks

i dont think i could show.... i just want a healthy best friend

Shame, he is a stunner, your call, you no him best Xx

I am not a show dog person. I happen to have one that championed but I have 0 interest in showing. I just want a bud (now I'm thirsty...).

Who told you to stack him? Most judges nowadays (in the UK, anyway) like a staff to stand naturally .

But if neither of you enjoy it, then don't do it.

I think it does take a bolder staff to be a good showdog, they are so lie downey.

Thanks all. The ring craft i go to has a few staffys there. Im getting mixed messages. The staffy owners keep saying that when you line your dogs up you should stack/position his legs, my argument is this, why mess with him when he walks into it. His front legs may need slight adjusting, but soon as i start to do this he gets all playfull and waggly tailed. We'll then do our walk and then stop stand, he'll stand happly for the judge to touch him. It was suggested tonight that i need to be firmer, and abit "ruffer", they said staffys are tuff so it wont hurt him, but kennys sensitive. If im to firm in voice, and i dont mean shouting, he lies down. We were enjoying ourselfs, but feel that unsure.

kenny d wrote:Thanks all. The ring craft i go to has a few staffys there. Im getting mixed messages. The staffy owners keep saying that when you line your dogs up you should stack/position his legs, my argument is this, why mess with him when he walks into it. His front legs may need slight adjusting, but soon as i start to do this he gets all playfull and waggly tailed. We'll then do our walk and then stop stand, he'll stand happly for the judge to touch him. It was suggested tonight that i need to be firmer, and abit "ruffer", they said staffys are tuff so it wont hurt him, but kennys sensitive. If im to firm in voice, and i dont mean shouting, he lies down. We were enjoying ourselfs, but feel that unsure.

I much prefer to see a staff stand naturally, and more & more judges are thinking along those lines as well.

Why is it that people think that staffs are 'ruffer' dogs? They're actually very sensitive, as a rule & don'e like rough handling. They work much better with a firm but quiet & calm direction.

Hi caryll, it wasnt so much the trainers in ring craft, but the staffy owners. The difference between their dogs and kenny is they've been taught from a very young age. Kenny and i only started a few months ago. The only problem i can see, and it isnt a problem to me is his legs may not be fully square, but still looks good. I feel i've wasted mine and kennys time.

What I used to do with Bandit is, when he stood still, I'd just nudge his toes with my foot to get him to straighten up.

When you move a dog for the judge you end up having to stop right in front of him so he can have another look - you can't stack him then, there isn't time.

You haven't wasted your time. If you enjoy showing, then carry on & do it your way - you'll end up with a dog that shows himself & is happy & alert all the time. If you don't enjoy it, then just knock it on the head!

Thanks Caryll. It's something i need to think about, i totally agree with you. I prefer to see a dog naturally, at their best. Thank you so much.

Nothing wrong with not showing espically if neither one of you enjoys it

your right jstaff, i've has 2 staffys in 17 years, iwasnt intrested then, i think im at a point in my life where i needed to do something for me, instead of every1 else. But i finding it can be a bit *, not every 1, but a few show people are ott. I might try agilty, kenny is quite fast lol

My skibadee was the same, she hates the showring. she looks like a completely different dog when I take her to shows, she tucks in her tail, puts her head down and shies away when the judge tries to touch her. I think if your dog is frightened when you take him to shows its not really fair. But doesnt sound like u shud just give up right now, I would work on making him happier and more excited at shows. go to a couple and take him as a companion dog, dont enter just go and have fun. do a bit of training, let him meet the other dogs. He is probably picking up on your nervousness.

He is young yet. I would only do it if it was enjoyable for both of you.

The dog that won Bob at crufts this year does never be stacked just walked in to it I've see him at a few shows and it works for him. I think its just about finding wat u and Kenny are comfortable with. I know the girl that runs the classes I go to says it best to walk them in and adjust as needs be. Don't let a few a$$holes put u off if u like doing its.

You carry on free stacking him, and take no notice of what every one else says at ringcraft. They can advise you, but it doesn't mean you have to take all their advise on board.
The male CC winner at Crufts this year was free stacked.

Kenny is already a winner anyway!!

UPDATE I toke kenny to the swsbtc ringcraft lastnight. There was a lovely young man who offered to help me with Kenny's training. He trained him in such a gentle way, that our Kenny now stands quite happy, allows me to stack him and more important he's happy. I think Kenny didnt know what was expected of him. I have more confidence too. XX

kenny d wrote:UPDATE I toke kenny to the swsbtc ringcraft lastnight. There was a lovely young man who offered to help me with Kenny's training. He trained him in such a gentle way, that our Kenny now stands quite happy, allows me to stack him and more important he's happy. I think Kenny didnt know what was expected of him. I have more confidence too. XX

Great news Kelly , so you get to show off your little boy , and he's happy doing it, sure you've got a few Rosettes coming his way

Thanks Dave, tbh, i was being shown so many different things that neither me or kenny knew what we were doing. The young man Dale amazed me. He was so gentle. Kenny is still a pet 1st. It's an hobby. I have seen so many people who just live for the shows, i wont be like that. As long as kenny is happy, i'll keep going. x

kenny d wrote:Thanks Dave, tbh, i was being shown so many different things that neither me or kenny knew what we were doing. The young man Dale amazed me. He was so gentle. Kenny is still a pet 1st. It's an hobby. I have seen so many people who just live for the shows, i wont be like that. As long as kenny is happy, i'll keep going. x

I would have loved to have a go with Tilly as so many people have commented and asked if we do it , but no papers so no Rosettes

I wouldn't show my dog even if I could don't need other people to tell me how great my dog is

Im glad you've had a change of heart, if its something you both enjoy don't let other people ruin it for you! I really want to go to the stafford ringcraft in SW when I start training my pup (which hasnt even been born yet lol!). Is that the one your going to? You'll have to take loads of photos and let me know how it is.

kenny d wrote:UPDATE I toke kenny to the swsbtc ringcraft lastnight. There was a lovely young man who offered to help me with Kenny's training. He trained him in such a gentle way, that our Kenny now stands quite happy, allows me to stack him and more important he's happy. I think Kenny didnt know what was expected of him. I have more confidence too. XX

Good luck! Just remember to enjoy your shows!

I'm please you ahve had a change of heart, Kenny is stunning.

Now me being thick but what is stacking?

hi nosipho, It's a good ringcraft, not many attending at the moment, so they get alot of 1 on 1 treatment. Dale was amazing. But if wales is to far to travel, im sure there'll be a local stbc nearby. Our group is on the 3rd Thursday of every month. It's from 7pm-9pm. Also, if your on FB, he's on my friends list. He'll be more than happy to give you advice.

Basically standing them square. I was shown to gently lift him slightly of the ground, gently set him down, and his legs fell perfectly. I only need to do that if he doesnt walk into the stand. Which Kenny does, but when he does'nt, im now confident with this technique, and so is kenny. xx

That's what I used to do with bandit - put my hand under his chest & gently lift - same with the back end.

Don't fiddle with the feet.

It works for kenny, I still dont think he'll totally behave lol, he's far too friendly. He'll want to kiss every one. A least now i wont be fumbling around lol

Thats what ive always done with Tali's front end you get nice square legs n feet then. And Kelly there aren't any ringcrafts within about 15miles of us. My most local one is North Bristol (all breeds) so tbh its not much further to come to you. Where exactly is the ringcraft? I know what you mean about being quiet, the whole stafford world is quiet at the moment not many people breeding or showing this year.

i am having the same problem as you are. people want me to be harsher with Romeo. i'm trying to doo it my way.

Well, we entered in the Carmathan open, OMG, He was great at our last traing session. He would not do it at the show. He was jumping up and down, pinched and try to eat our number, trying to lick the judges face. I could'nt help but laugh. I know it looked like i had no control, but he was soooo funny. He had a big staffy smile and a waggly bum n tail. Every1 was laugh except my breeder, who looked very embarresed.

Yes, romeo, i agree. My breeder has said he'll start taking him out alone, no way, he's my boy, im aware i need to be firm, kenny has a wonderfull temprement, like all our staffys, so im not going to let him go, kenny is very nervous around him

I'll get the address and post it here for you

Nosipho, as promised SWSBTC, Penlan Methodist Church, Heol Gwyrsoydd,Penlan, Swansea, SA57 7BZ.

It'll be nice to meet up. When is your new pup due

Pup isn't due until the 31st of July so a while yet til we would be coming! But we will definately meet up either at a show or ringcraft when he/she is born!

nice news! hope you and he can have fun showing, he certainly is a gorgeous dog.

thanks mich, he was fab again at ringcraft, i didnt let his breeder get involved, so kenny was quite happy with me xx