[rosemark]

We forget our dogs need reassurance when they are someplace strange, especially at a show. This technique works best if you start when they are puppies. Play with your puppies using your hands to pat them, and get them to play back. Make it fun! Then, when you begin training them to stack, push their tail up and pat their back a couple of times and say "tail"! Eventually your dog will be conditioned to put their tail up any time you pat their back. Do this with the dog on your lap when you watch TV, or if they are standing on the floor and not looking particularly happy, pat their back a couple of times and watch what happens!

When you get to the show, play a little with your dog before grooming, using this patting technique. When I'm in the ring, as soon as I move the dog from the table, I will reach down and pat the dog's back a couple of times before we take off. I talk to the dog when we are moving in a hapy voice. If the dog loses the tail on the down and back, stop and pat the dog until the tail comes back up, saying "tail". You may not win that day, but in the future, the dog will understand what you want and you will get that tail up. Good luck!