Fear of judges at shows
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Hi, I thought i would update everyone on this topic. My hubby started to handle Milo last spring. It wasn't easy but Milo has been fine mostly in the ring, on the table. He still has issues with certain judges, their appearance, manner or smell. However, Brian can control his tension most of the time. Milo has and does do well in the ring and is a lovely basenji. His breeder i think blamed us for his nervousness, however, i think he is just naturally suspicious of certain people. I am just delighted that we can enjoy him in the showring and look forward to many more years doing the same. I am glad we didn't give up too, so many people do and that is such a shame.
Theresa
Sounds to me like great progress….. my Franie is a bit shy... and I think it is more that she is not confindent in herself.. it has taken a bit to get her to relax in the ring, but we are making (slowly) big strides... So, from my point of view, it is more their (the Basenji) own confidence rather then being suspicious of people.
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When my Gambit was having trouble with judges going over him, when I walked him, I would ask anyone who spoke to me to "go over" him like a judge, I would explain. That helped that in a normal day walk, he would meet new people who would be allow to touch him all over, with me being very close and in control of him. And at shows, in the grooming area, I would ask anyone close by to go over him if they had a few minutes to spare, it really helped my boy, the best show for us was the first one he stood stock still on the table, did not place that time, but just being so good after being such a pill for a long time. He did win points, but we never did get him finished, life got in our way for a time. good luck.
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Wow! I just found this thread and I have recently posted almost the exact thing! Ours is a 13 month old female having the same problem in the ring. She is very comfortable on the table except when the judge comes to the table. She will even lay down and relax on the table in the grooming area at shows, at home she will go up on her table on her own and in handling class she is very good on the table. Please let me know how you got him through this. I thought dogs went through a second fear stage much younger than this? Maybe this is what is happening here too.
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I am having a similar issue. I think my puppy thinks the judge is the vet with a scary shot. If he were to meet the judge outside the ring they'd be best buds but on the table he grumbles and goes stiff. VERY frustrating!
My older dog nearly did a back flip off the table at his second show he was so scared! He will be 3 in October and is rock solid on the table now. It takes time, patience and practice.
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I thought dogs went through a second fear stage much younger than this? Maybe this is what is happening here too.
Possibly. I believe the second fear period can be from 6 to 14 months. Another consideration…...judges walk with intent. The people you practice with may not be so focused. If you could work with an actual judge it might help. (perhaps at a show between classes or when a judge is at leisure? ) Or get the people who practice with you to fix their eyes intently on the dog. You may see a different response. If you do, good. Now you can work on it. :) (In many cases I can cause a dog to raise hackles or growl just with eye contact, because intensity makes them feel threatened)
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eeeefarm- what a good idea! thanks. I will definitely ask the people at class to practice with us that way and see what happens.
