How To Deal With Interference

[Diva]

I think you should suddenly whirl around to face the guilty exhibitor, point at the dog, shriek at the top of your lungs "OMG, that dog just BIT mine" and burst into hysterical tears.

LOL, that's hilarious. I could do that.

Nevermind doing it when you are watching, I'm going to wait until you are handling something behind me

[poodlefan]

I think you should suddenly whirl around to face the guilty exhibitor, point at the dog, shriek at the top of your lungs "OMG, that dog just BIT mine" and burst into hysterical tears.

LOL, that's hilarious. I could do that.

Nevermind doing it when you are watching, I'm going to wait until you are handling something behind me

Boy am I grateful there's plenty of breeds between Borzois and Whippets!

[Diva]

Seriously though, I had someone running close behind me in a class recently making a hell of a racket with calling, hissing and whistling, apparently to their dog... It was really hard to keep mine moving forward. Needless to say the other dog doing the chasing moved out much better than mine who was trying to turn around the whole time and see what the hell was going on. Sigh...

So I'm feeling your frustration Diva.

That's a pain Alyosha, I hope that doesn't happen to you too often. If it does I'm happy to practise proofing at a show some time after the judging - I can make a hell of a racket with different dogs until yours gets used to ignoring it.

So far I haven't had it on the move. Probably because it's often you behind me in breed, or someone else who is too ethical to play dirty. And in group they'd have trouble catching us if they tried to do that.

I'm less upset about the one instance and more just trying to figure out how to handle it if it happens again. Despite the disorganised appearance, I'm a planner at heart.

[-Megz-]

Training up your dog to ignore the noises etc is a great place to start.

I don't find the need to do the same thing back to someone, and it sure isn't going to solve the problem just would lower you to their petty ways.

[brentland]

Slightly difficult in the Group ring, but in the breed ring - ask the steward if you can go on the end of the line! Hard for anyone to crowd you if you are at the end! Stewards are usually quite accommodating if you have a good reason.

Same thing in the Group ring - warn the steward beforehand!

Of course, there are also people who complain bitterly about being crowded when it isn't happening! They like to draw attention to themselves and imply that other exhibitors are doing the "bad things"!!!

Had that happen to me - exhibitor in front hissed at me to leave her room and I hadn't moved yet!!! Boring!!!!!!!!!! I think even the judge was amused at that one!!! Didn't work, I might add!!! LOL

[~Myschafis~]

If someone has stacked right up my butt, and it would appear intentional I just say "sorry I havent given you enough room, you stay there and I will move forward"

If not intentional I just move forward

ETA: If you have someone in front of you already, be sure to give yourself plenty of room if you feel the exhibitor may stack too close...that way you can still move forward without getting too close to the person in front

Edited February 15, 2010 by ~Myschafis~

[Diva]

I don't find the need to do the same thing back to someone, and it sure isn't going to solve the problem just would lower you to their petty ways.

Did someone suggest doing it back? I must have missed that - except pf who was joking. In the first post I said I wouldn't stoop to their level.

If someone has stacked right up my butt, and it would appear intentional I just say "sorry I havent given you enough room, you stay there and I will move forward"

I like the gentle touch of sarcasm The handler in front of me this time had already asked for heaps of room on the grounds that their dog had previously been attacked. So I did have room to move, but doing so would have taken up that space I was leaving them. I should have said tough, I'm being crowded from behind so you lose the extra space I've given you, and if the one behind follows it becomes even more blatant and a reason to move out of line. I will next time.

[weisnjac]

Good topic as I have been having this problem quite a bit lately in group. Brian has since moved up a class so I'm not in the same lineup as them anymore but once they move up I'll have some suggestions to use!

It was so bad that they were baiting their dog literally on Brian's bum so of course he was turning around and at one point they let him have a bit of their bait, which made it worse.

The last time we were in together the Steward yelled out for them to move back and give me room which worked, didn't seem to work when I asked

[Diva]

They fed your dog from behind in the line-up weisnjac? That's outrageous.

Edited February 15, 2010 by Diva

[weisnjac]

They fed your dog from behind in the line-up weisnjac? That's outrageous.

Yep, wasn't happy!! He is forever turning around looking for food now

[~Myschafis~]

If someone has stacked right up my butt, and it would appear intentional I just say "sorry I havent given you enough room, you stay there and I will move forward"

I like the gentle touch of sarcasm The handler in front of me this time had already asked for heaps of room on the grounds that their dog had previously been attacked. So I did have room to move, but doing so would have taken up that space I was leaving them. I should have said tough, I'm being crowded from behind so you lose the extra space I've given you, and if the one behind follows it becomes even more blatant and a reason to move out of line. I will next time.

I think its enough to make them realise they are probably being a nasty pastie without making a scene.

If they persist perhaps stronger methods need to be inforced

[Dogsfevr]

If people stack there dogs up my guys butt i never ever move forward.If i have left the correct space infront i will not move.If the handler behind wants to play silly buggers then tough luck i aint joining in.

I had an exhibitor in grp who often would be up my guys butt,when i lifted my dogs tail it covered theres BUT i would never move.

If you move every time thats what they expect every time.

the last time they did it was when they realized the judge couldnt see there dog,they asked me to move forward & i said no,you want to get so close thats your problem not mine.

The dog in question also required the handler to bait infront .

The approached me outside & i told them that it was there responsibility to leave space,they chose not to everytime & i will not move forward due to then not thinking.

never did it again.

My dogs are taught to stack either way so if someone is baiting there dog to close &without thought i reverse stack & thank them for standing so close that it makes my dog look good.

Dont pander to them.

Be direct so & the simple facts

[SpikesPuppy]

Training up your dog to ignore the noises etc is a great place to start.

My dogs are pretty proofed, but it still doesn't matter when they are literally stood on or nudged out of the way. I love how Caber stands rock solid no matter what's behind him (once had a Bully literally land on him and he flinched but didn't move. So proud of him but shouldn't have come to that).

Also hate when other exhibitors come so close or stand infront of your dog. Mum had that happen once, okay she was a new exhibitor and moved too far into the corner of the ring, but IMO the exhibitor behind her should have left some space and not literally stood where mum should have..... was just rude IMO.

ETA I also dislike it when other exhibitors use my dogs to bait theres/spar (as Borders should not be sparred and thank you but I don't appreciate you telling your Bully to "get the Border" and have it on it's tippy toes if it's a friend/friend's dog in the ring it's different, but if it's a stranger, I hate it.

Edited February 15, 2010 by SpikesPuppy

[-Megz-]

I compare it to driving, you shouldn't have to, but you need to ensure that you take your safety into your own hands.

You wouldn't expect someone to give way just because they are meant to, you always check and double check to make sure you are in a safe position.

The dog ring is the same to me, I take responsibility for my dogs and my space and compensate for idiots.

[-Megz-]

I showed a bully baby late last year and it was very intrigues by the Border in front. I used that to my advantage, I was 4 metres away though and the Border facing the front. I don't have a problem admitting to it and I would say that I would do it again.

No different to when I have moved a dog slightly out of a line so they can see their mum two dogs up in the same class, they will remain stacked with me but if they can't see but they can hear mum they will look for her and get fussy.

Work with what you have.

[SpikesPuppy]

Of course. And I know this now but when I started out, I had no idea that people would actually stand on your dog or shove it out the way Now I'm like a bloody chameleon in the ring- eyes in seventeen directions at once

[SpikesPuppy]

I showed a bully baby late last year and it was very intrigues by the Border in front. I used that to my advantage, I was 4 metres away though and the Border facing the front. I don't have a problem admitting to it and I would say that I would do it again.

No different to when I have moved a dog slightly out of a line so they can see their mum two dogs up in the same class, they will remain stacked with me but if they can't see but they can hear mum they will look for her and get fussy.

Work with what you have.

I don't mind people using my dogs to get them to focus, but when they are loudly saying "gittheborder!!" and the Bully is literally on a VERY tight lead and would no doubt jump on my dog if loosened, as well as being very close proximity (I would hazard a guess and say we've got more dogs in the group line up than in the NT), it's very distracting and a little worrying - it's not about aggression either, it's the fact that a Bull Terrier is about 4 times the size of my dogs and can easily harm them through play, or frighten them etc. Caber actually LOVES Bullies, and he plays with those we know. Put it this way- I believe I should be able to concentrate on my own dog in the ring without having to wonder what the dog next door is doing

[-Megz-]

I showed a bully baby late last year and it was very intrigues by the Border in front. I used that to my advantage, I was 4 metres away though and the Border facing the front. I don't have a problem admitting to it and I would say that I would do it again.

No different to when I have moved a dog slightly out of a line so they can see their mum two dogs up in the same class, they will remain stacked with me but if they can't see but they can hear mum they will look for her and get fussy.

Work with what you have.

I don't mind people using my dogs to get them to focus, but when they are loudly saying "gittheborder!!" and the Bully is literally on a VERY tight lead and would no doubt jump on my dog if loosened, as well as being very close proximity (I would hazard a guess and say we've got more dogs in the group line up than in the NT), it's very distracting and a little worrying - it's not about aggression either, it's the fact that a Bull Terrier is about 4 times the size of my dogs and can easily harm them through play, or frighten them etc. Caber actually LOVES Bullies, and he plays with those we know. Put it this way- I believe I should be able to concentrate on my own dog in the ring without having to wonder what the dog next door is doing

I have shown down south in the same way. I just think that people need to worry about themselves instead of being concerned with changing the minorities behaviour - I'm not talking about anyone in particular just my opinion.

[Mjosa]

I have been exhibiting dogs since 1970 and over the years you come across all sorts of ill mannered people who will do anything for that blue ribbon.

Once upon a time I would ask nicely for room and most times would be ignored.

In the early days my mentor was both a breeder of Pem Corgis and also an all breeds judge, I mentioned how this was happening, and he advised me not to say anything seeing as it did not work, but in the breed/group lineup put my dog about a foot out in front of the lineup and if someone was running up the backside of my dog when we were on the move to stop dead, he said that the judge would pick up this silent protest in both instances and accept what you are trying to relay to them, mind you by doing both these things does not leave you red faced and upset it is the perpatrator that is made to look a fool for all ringside to see, believe me it does work I have proved it and it does not take long for the news to spread around not to crowd you or you are made to look a fool such as these people are.

[Ashanali]

and he advised me not to say anything seeing as it did not work, but in the breed/group lineup put my dog about a foot out in front of the lineup and if someone was running up the backside of my dog when we were on the move to stop dead, he said that the judge would pick up this silent protest in both instances and accept what you are trying to relay to them,

I did that at a show and the judge awarded BOB to the other dog and then said to me, "YOU lost that".

(I didn't stop so they would intentionally run up the rear, I stopped so the bitch could move in front of my dog and get off my rear) Some judges aren't understanding.