Level 1Beginner
What to do if your dog won't stand still
The answer
He circles, jumps, sniffs… and moves a paw as soon as you adjust the other three! Simplify what you ask of him, reward the short moments that go well and plan breaks.
There are two separate things to learn: settling down while waiting, and standing for a few moments for the examination, which is known as the stack. A dog can master one without having mastered the other yet.
Beginner — Getting back a bit of calm
- Observe before asking for stillness. Look at what is unsettling him: nearby dogs, noise, waiting or discomfort. Constant moving around can go with excitement, frustration or worry. If he tries to escape or seems tense, take him away from the difficulty.
- Choose a less stimulating spot. While waiting, set up away from the thoroughfare. A familiar mat can serve as a cue, especially if your dog has already learned to relax on it. Dogs Trust recommends starting to teach calmness in a quiet place, then rewarding relaxed behaviour.
- Ask for very little at first. To work on the stack, first reward a brief moment standing with all four feet on the ground. Then release the request. This step-by-step approach avoids demanding long stillness before it has been learned.
Intermediate — Making the presentation easier
- Separate breaks from exercises. Outside the ring, let your dog rest or have a short, quiet outing as he needs. Avoid stringing together repetitions to “tire him out”. In the ring, adapt your requests to how the judging is going.
- Start again from a simple position. If he moves during the stack, stop moving his feet around constantly. When the judge allows it, take a few steps then ask for the stand again with your usual cue. This is a presentation trick, to be adapted to your dog and to the judge's instructions.
- Reward precisely. If treats are allowed on site, give a small reward at the moment your dog does what you want. In training, keep your hand at a height that lets him stand naturally: too high, and it may encourage him to jump. The principle is to reinforce success.
A useful phrase for the judge: “He's finding it hard to settle. May I reposition him?”
Advanced — Building a reliable stand
- Increase one difficulty at a time. First work on a short stand in a quiet place, then a little longer. Then add a person at a distance or a new environment. If your dog fails several times, go back to an easier step. These examples apply the RSPCA's principles of short sessions and reduced distractions.
- Teach rest separately from the stack. On his mat, reward signs of relaxation without demanding that he stare at you continuously. Keep another cue for the standing show position. The mat then becomes a cue for rest, rather than a place where your dog constantly waits for a command.
- Check for any unusual change. If a dog that is normally settled suddenly becomes agitated, refuses certain positions or shows discomfort, ask a vet for advice. For a persistent learning difficulty, get help from a professional who uses reward-based methods.
Does moving mean a penalty?
Moving a paw or repositioning does not automatically mean disqualification. The judge must be able to assess the dog.
The FCI regulations provide for “Cannot be judged” in particular when a dog keeps jumping on its handler or tries to leave the ring, making it impossible to assess its movement. This grade also covers constant refusal of the examination. The outcome therefore depends on what the judge can actually evaluate.
The reminder: “One small successful stand, a reward, a break… then we move on.”