Best way to train pup to a show lead
 

Well the toy kindness show lead I ordered arrived today and I do not want to ruin Wolfie before we even begin lol

What is the best and easiest way to get him used to it and for me to do this properly? He walks well on a regular leash with a halter.

Thanks!

Do you have a regular lead? I usually put it on them and let them run around with it on, supervised, of course. Let him get used to the feel first. Then I use bait or squeeky toy and lead them around just briefly. If you have an older dog that is a pro on a lead, take both of them for a short walk together. The puppy will learn from the older dog. Always make it short and fun!! Then do "pretend" shows at home. Lead him in a big circle, then stack him on the table. Let a neighbor or friend (man & woman) check his bite, testicles and go over his body. Have someone gait a dog in front of you and then behind you. After the pup has some practive with the regular lead, then change to the kindness lead.
Hope that helps!:)

Are you going to a show class soon, I may be misremembering but I thought you were. First with the show lead it needs to be placed up high on the neck and behind the ears. Then "cinched" into place. You don't want the neck piece to slip down to mid throat. If you are taking a conformation class then have them instruct you on placement.

But prior all of this, work with your current halter and leash, have some treats handy in hand and your pocket. You want to reward your dog everytime his head is Up when you are walking him. Now you can work this routine in your backyard, then take it out to the streets to refine it. What your are looking for is a neck that is somewhat extended so that his underside of his chin is parallel to the ground. Start your practice sessions with the same words. maybe it's Show time, or Lets show, Lets Trot, whatever is unique phraseology for this exercise. Then walk him in a circle at first slowly so you can watch his head/neck placement, and reward with a Good Boy treat if you get the right carriage.
Correct him right away if he puts his head down to sniff grass or concrete, say no, lift his head and say again Lets Show.

Once he is good with this, then try the kindness lead. Have fun with this and Good luck

Thank you so much for your responses. I will be starting his class soon, after his final shots. Whether we do well at this or not I figure it is a great way to bond and socialize him while having fun. And figure out if this is something I want to stick with lol.

Thanks again y'all!

How old is the pup? When I normally start to train for show on a puppy and this is me personally I don't even put a lead on until they are almost 6 months and then when I do I put it on and let them play with it, drag it around with supervision of course and go from there. Of course this is when I keep a pup from my own litter. Normally when I get a younger dog for show and I'm talking they are already over 8 months normally they are lead trained and I work with them to get use to me.
I believe the first months of their lives they need to be pups and get over the fear factor and that typically doesn't happen until they are around 5 to almost 6 months of age. I've never had any problems lead training with my methods and they normally go in the ring the first time with no hesitation :) It's like they've been on the lead for years :)
Hope this helps.
Donna

He will be 4 months on Tuesday. He is already walking very well on a leash w/halter unless of course he sees something he thinks he cannot resist. My plan is to take him to conformation classes thru the Nashville Kennel Club.

He has such a great lil personality. Never meets a stranger, adores kids and the only concern I have is that he thinks he is HUGE when it comes to other dogs, shows no fear at all. If they are too pushy he growls and becomes scrappy lol... gets that wide stance and bounces forward. So actually another question I have is how do I keep that fiesty "hot stuff" strut and personality and have a boy that behaves?

At this age, I wouldn't take him to handling classes too much as he's still young and I love that type of personality but try and always make things fun but at this age I feel it's better to keep walking him outside and take him to things like Petsmart, Petco and around people. He has the typical terrier attitude! I love that he adores people and kids. Just make sure he is dog socialized and that is taking him to the places mentioned and every once in awhile take him to the comformation classes but keep it short since he's still young.
I hope this helps.
Donna

Donna thanks so much for the advice! I would like to ask one more question. There are going to be several shows very close to me in Oct and Nov. and Wolfie will be 6 months then. Should I try and have him prepared to give those a try in the puppy class or just hold off?

I see you are in Texas, my daughter is working at a hospital in Austin for the summer to see if she likes the area. If so she will probably move there when she finishes school in December. Personally I am hoping she is sweating her tail off and chooses to stay around Nashville hehe

No problem :) If you've never shown before maybe try the puppy matches some clubs offer to see how Wolfie will do :) Just remember he's a puppy and if you decide to show him at 6 months and make it fun for him! I always make it fun when showing puppies and allow for the mistakes they will make and I just make it as much fun as possible for them so they will have a postive attitude in the show ring :)

Texas is HOT but right now where I live it's actually cool for this time of year LOL! I'm not sure what the temps are in Austin right now but in the Dallas area it's in the 80's right now because we've had some rain YAH for the rain to keep it cool!

Donna

sometimes at the AKC shows there will be what we call up here Sanction Matches, or practice matches, usually put on by one of the local clubs. You can often register for them onsite. These don't count for any pts, but it is a way to practice in a competition like environment.

I think its good for both you and your puppy to get some practice in a less stressful enviornment.
You can also get to meet some YOrkie owners/exhibitors/breeders too

I appreciate all the good pointers! There is a conformation class tomorrow evening and I may go to check them out. I have been googling all the terminology and hopefully will not embarrass myself too awful much : )

If he walks on the halter and leash, put the lead on him also. While walking him, loosen up on the leash that is clipped to the halter and put pressure on the show lead. If he balks at this, return to using the halter leash. Keep switching the leash/lead until he is responding completely to the show lead. The next time you walk him put the halter on, but try using the show lead right to begin with. It doesn't usuall take long to make the switch. Good Luck

There is a match near me in two weeks. The NASHVILLE KENNEL CLUB
All Breed - Sanctioned B Match has a 3-6 month puppy class. Should I just go watch or give it a try?

If you're going to be there anyway, I'd go ahead and try the show. Just make sure that you keep it fun for the little guy. It's great exposure for him and practise for both of you.

What size bow does he need to be wearing at this size? He is 4 months old now and weighs about 2 3/4 lb.