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There are few things more fun than having a new bright eyed puppy around the house. It is especially nice when the puppy is a fine show quality pup with that spark of showmanship we all much so desire in our show dogs. The novice puppy owner who wants to eventually show his dog should start early to prepare the puppy for its future role.
I believe it is important to start immediately in the training of your new show pup. Here is how I start my pups for showing:
First, I start leash training all puppies at about 6-8 weeks of age. I put a flat buckle collar on Pup and gently encourage her with a bit of sausage, liver or cheese. Usually she will come along willingly and not notice the lead at all. I conduct training sessions daily until she gets the idea. Soon the treats can be reduced and Pup will have become accustomed to the guiding of the leash. Another very important beginning exercise for the young Pup is show stack training. As a breeder, I begin show stacking my puppies at 5 weeks of age. This makes it much easier on the new owner since the pup will already know this exercise and they won't have a battle to fight. I stack my puppies twice a day in front of a mirror on a grooming table. This gives me a good idea of the overall outline of the pups as they grow. I would highly recommend this set up for anyone serious enough to have purchased a pup for showing. When the pup gets older around 8-10 weeks, I use a grooming table with a "noose" rigged up to accommodate Pup in front of a mirror in a well lighted area. Each evening, I put Pup on the grooming table, place her head in the noose with my hand as a support (so that she doesn't choke). As part of my building for the future I give the command "Stand" , stoke the pup lightly, and talk soothingly as I stack pup in the correct show pose. I gently run my hands over the little body, pull the ears up to the nose, open the mouth all while talking and reassuring her. I lift each leg carefully and replace it so that she becomes accustomed to having her legs handled, and I always lean down and nuzzle the pup in the face so that she knows everything is OK. If she "A-Frames", I place her back feet on the edge of the table and slowly, but gently, pull her tail so that one or both feet drop off the back of the table while I catch her under her belly. In this way, she will learn to shift forward when her tail is gently pulled. I want her to stand straight and tall, with front legs exactly under her shoulders, her head up high with the noose, her back legs slightly wider than the front legs and hocks perpendicular to the ground. As a final ritual I take a soft brush and give her coat some tender brushing. Finally, I release the noose from her neck, tell her what a good girl she is and give her a favorite treat (something special like cheese or liver) - in small enough bites to be eaten on the grooming table. Then I pick her up, give her some hugs and kisses and place her on the floor with lots of praise and silliness. All my dogs learn to love the grooming table, even though when on the table they also suffer through such "bad things" as having their nails ground, their ears "augured out", their teeth scraped, and being flea combed. Still, they love to get up on that table for their special treatment of petting, brushing, baby talk, and, of course, the treats!
Next, it is time to train Pup for gaiting on a show lead. I select show leads which are sufficiently thick enough not to cut Pup's tender throat. After practicing with the "noose" on the grooming table, the addition of the show lead generally does not present a problem. I begin by stacking Pup on the ground. Pup will be more fidgety here than on the table and this is where much patience is needed. I keep the head high with my right hand under her muzzle, then I slowly drop her head into the show lead so that her head stays in the high position. I go over this routine twice a week, and, again, I run my hands over her body, open her mouth, etc. Next I begin moving Pup. The leash training sessions now pay off because she will not buck and bounce anymore! While keeping her head up as much as possible, I practice moving her in long straight lines, a quick turn around and back again. Also, I practice large left hand circles. I try to limit training sessions to no more than 5 minutes. This is a good time to teach her about baiting also. I only give bait after making a certain sound. I do NOT let her learn to jump at my hand for liver while moving. She must learn she will only get a piece of bait AFTER I have make the special sound (I use a kissing sound). When I am finished, I say "OKAY!!" Good girl! Take off the lead, give her a treat, and let her run.
I take my future show puppy to obedience classes (Kindergarten Puppy Training) or to puppy socialization classes once a week. This is EXTREMELY important to get her properly socialized. I sit quietly while she watches all that is going on in the building. I walk her on the matting and get my friends to go over her when she has learned her show stack. I have my friends critique Pup's movement and how she looks when stacked. I keep everything happy for Pup because I know from experience that exhibiting a well trained, happy show puppy is a thoroughly enjoyable and memorable experience.
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