Need a homeopathic for a show dog afraid of Judge/strangers?

Did your dog have a negative experience with a judge or has it always backed off?

On one occasion a truly horrific judge managed to make my Dobermann back off because he was so patently nervous of being bitten. The only time she ever exhibit the undesired behaviour.

All dogs are biologically disposed to behavioural strengths & weaknesses. If your dogs temperament is inclined towards being shy, then that is genetic & no medication will change that.

In conformation the dog must conform to the breed standard, which includes a stable temperament, so the dog being able to stand for the judge to go over it is fundamental. If your dog does not have the right temperament, enjoy him as a pet & retire him.

Have you never worked on this in breed class???? We do this all the time at my training facility. Different people come up to the dogs and do a go over. And, go in the mouth, that kind of thing. I personally feel this is more of a training issue than anything else. I suggest you get friends and even people you and the dog do not know well, to go over the dog like a judge does. As for the bite, I know you can tell the judge you prefer to show your own.

I know no homeopathic remedies for this. http://www.naturesfarmacy.com/

These guys might have something or know of something that might help you, but I really think you should perhaps work the dog a little more. Train, train, train. Good luck.

Take the dog out of the ring for awhile and do more practicing with outside individuals that the dog doesn't know. In some breeds, shyness is a disqualification, so if you have a breed that has a temperament standard, even if the dog conforms to the standard, but doens't have the temperament to go along, it should not be bred if it deviates that. Someone WILL find out if you do something against AKC rules, so just don't do it.

Rescue Remedies of any kind are not the answer. Take your dog everywhere and anywhere and let everyone you meet make up to and then go over your dog. If this doesn't resolve the problem then DON'T show it!

There is no room for dogs with poor or even questionable temperaments. Weeding these problems out of the gene pool is exactly why there are dog shows.

You are not allowed to use these things when showing. Technically you could and nobody would know, but it is against the rules. It is falsely representing your dog. You need to socialize your dog with as many different people as possible. A great thing to do is go to conformation classes. This puts the dog in the real situation and it is great practice for both you and the dog.

What is the purpose of showing a dog? To determine if that dog is a good representation of the breed, not just in looks, but in temperament as well and if that dog shows well and wins, to breed that dog and produce more like him, correct?

Why would you even consider doing that with a dog that has an obvious temperament problem?

No drug will fix this and no drug should, he should be so outgoing and so happy to be around everything that is going on, you should barely be able to contain him.

Fix him and find another dog with a better temperament!

I think Jessie is right - there is no drop or pill that is really going to make this go away.

Stop entering him in shows, start taking him along for the ride and walking him around the grounds (yes, I know - no unentered dogs...but if he looks old enough to show and you look like you know you should be there, you'll be fine).

Take really tasty treats, something he never gets at home, something high value. Have people approach him, just for a touch or a sniff. Have them feed him the high value treat. Reward him with a "jackpot" of high value treats when he stands still and allows someone to touch him (even if its a single stroke along his back, or gently touching his shoulder).

This may be something you're doing already...but I really think you've got to be patient. There is no "quick fix" for this behavior.

I have tried pretty much everything over the years.

Rescue remedy, comi-calm, st johns wort, valium, brandy.... you name it i've tried it.

Nothing works.

Recently a show person killed their dog by giving it an overdose of cocaine trying to "fix" it's temperament.

The best thing you can do is just to socialise. Get your dog out, practice running up to strangers.

Start out with friends and get the dog to run up to them on lead and then be given a treat by the friend.

I have seen dogs temperaments be terrible as pups then by 12 months the penny drops and they are fine.

Keep up with the training and don't lose hope.

ADD -

I do agree with you GREEKMAN, however if yu can get a dogs temperament to an acceptable level, or even fix it completely then I think by all means show it! Just don't breed from it.

If you are US then not sure --

In UK we have Ainsworths and they are super at giving advice over the phone as to what to use.

We also have homeopathic vets.

Sure you must be able to find someone to help.

I use Rescue Remedy for my dogs frequently, and other homeopathics.

If you continue to draw a blank then please email me and I will ask here.

I'm no expert on show dogs, but should a dog that's afraid of strangers really be set as an example for the breed?