BST Measuring - can the dog be baited?

[mwaters]

Hi Folks,

I'm hoping to do a BST with my boy this year and have been practicing having him stand nicely for the measurement part. He is really good and will stand like a statue if hubby is standing about 10 feet away holding a ball. Without the ball to focus on he tends to be wiggly and wants to grab the measuring tape and wicket!

Is hubby allowed to bait him while he is being measured?

Thanks
Melissa

[Karla]

I do know of a dog that was baited during the measuring for his BST. The dog kept trying to slink away from the wicket as he was scared of it and also was sensitive when the measuring tape was brought out. The only way they could get that dog through the measuring portion was to bait it and this was suggested by the judge. The dog did pass the BST.

I do not know what the rules state however. Best wishes on passing your BST!!!!!!

[flyballmom]

Blitz was baited during that portion of her BST, and since the suggestion was given by the USRC NW Regional Director, I'd answer...YES. Good luck to you!

[mwaters]

Thank you! That is a relief. Eri isn't afraid of the tape or wicket...he thinks EVERYTHING is a toy!

[Ostory]

The dog can be baited. Even better if you practice measuring the dog and reward the dog the ball/Toy during practice. So that the dog really thinks he has a chance to get the Ball during mearsuing.

[mwaters]

We've been building up the time he has to stand still watching the toy while someone is measuring him. He always gets to 'break free' when he is being really good. He totally believes that he will get the ball .

Now what have you seen / experienced for the temperament test part?

Eri is totally neutral with gunshots but I've seen a few videos of BSTs where they have you heel around in a group...have the dog sit...the group crowds in around you and the dog. There was also a part where it looked like you heel between two rows of people while one of them rattles a bottle filled with pennies. That might be 'fun' Eri used to play with pop bottles filled with pebbles! Am I allowed to heel him through or does he have to be walking with no command? Is it all up to the judge? I hate surprises...so the more we can prepare the calmer I will be .

Any advice or suggestions are welcome!

Melissa

[flyballmom]

Originally Posted by mwaters

Now what have you seen / experienced for the temperament test part?

My experience with the BST is our own, so 1, or 2, if you count that I watched the dog that went before us. But here goes. The gunshots came when we were about 20 paces or so down field...1, a second or 2 delay, then another. My understanding was that had a dog shown a reaction, there would have been another. We did have a group, and per request of the judge (Wayne Simanovich) it was people the dog was not familiar with. The group closed in, then out, then circled, much like the TT part of the BH. I was told the leash walking "could" be formal heeling, but didn't have to be. Once that was done I was asked to take the leash off and do some off leash obedience. We did some formal heeling and a moving sit, then reported back to the judge. That was about it. I was expecting all that, I knew about the temperament testing, teeth showing, measuring etc etc. What was a complete surprise was that the BST dogs had to be gaited around the ring and baited for a conformation critique. If I hadn't had Lucy Ang and Marlene Ferguson yelling "faster, she's pacing" "no now slower, she's galloping" I'd probably still be out there running in circles. I've never shown in conformation in any venue, and since it's not really an interest, I've never practiced gaiting. If I'd known...I'd have worked on it a bit

[fbkeays]

I have seen a BST with the dog being measured while standing on a piece of plywood. The ground was not even so the board rocked a bit. The dog would not stand still while being on unsteady surface. I don't know if that was planned or not.