Show Stackers

[Shaar]

I made my own show stackers for a couple of bucks out of some blocks of wood...

I'm glad I did it that way and saved my $ because they didn't work for me.

I have a very stubborn dog and for him, time was what he needed, not to be freaked out on some blocks.

[-Megz-]

Mine arrived and Brock took to them like a pro and is already stopping in a stack on the ground... No doubt at the show it will be well different hehe

[BittyMooPeeb]

If he won't stand on a table, why would he stand on stackers?

If the issue is discipline, I'm not sure stackers are the answer - if the issue is getting a perfect stack then some folk advocate them. I've never used them.

As soon as I put him on the table he generally sits down as I am trying to stack him. He already has a lovely stack, I just thought maybe if I trained him on the stackers he wouldn't be able to sit down!!!! If he sits down on the stackers he will fall, therefore after a couple of times on the stackers he would learn to stand up and once you get him standing nice and still on the stackers in theory he should stand on the table no worries

Show stackers are to teach the dog the desired position of a 'stand'. The point of them is NOT to punish the dog when they break position by have them falling off!! Nor are they meant to be used teach dogs to stand. No wonder many people are against these sort of tools when they are misused so easily. If your aim is to punish the dog for sitting down, there are plenty of ways to do this without equipment, however I wouldnt recommend this type of training if you want your dog to enjoy showing.

I dont see why you cant teach a 'stand' command using rewards. Start on the ground, then work up to the table. It might also help to find out why your dog sits on the table. If he is unsure of being at that height try and overcome this with plenty of training that involves fun time on the table, or maybe starting on low tables then increasing the height. Maybe he thinks that he is supposed to sit on the table. If so you can give your stand command, and if necessary gently put him in a stand position, or walk him into a stand position, and reward him, then gently support him underneat to keep him standing while he is examined. Maybe he doesn't like being close to the edge of the table, so may stand if you set him up further back. Etc etc! There are plenty of things to try before you need to consider punishment.

I was shocked when I started showing at how often I saw dogs being punished . It seems like the majority of exhibitors just expect their dog to know what to do, and if they happen to get it wrong, the handler punishes the dog physically or verbally . I'm not saying that you are like this - but that your dog's breeder might not know about kinder, more effective training methods.