Dog Show Collapsed

Hi Jay,

Dog shows are often quite daunting experiences for dogs that haven't attended many, so it possible that your dog was simply not used to that sort of environment. You will find that as you take him to more and more shows, he will become confident and less worried about being there. To help him become more accustomed to shows, you should aim to take him to as many as possible, even if you are just watching from the sidelines. This will be really beneficiary because you won't be under the pressure of competition, and so will be completely at ease, which he will pick up on and reciprocate.

On top of that, it would be good to get him used to having strangers patting and examining him. You can do this by getting some friends that he hasn't had much contact with in the past to replicate what a judge in a show would do. If he does start shaking, it is important that you don't pat or reassure him, because by doing this you will reinforce the anxiety and make him think that there is something to fear. Instead you must ignore him when he is showing this behavior, making sure that you reward him lavishly when he is being brave.

It will take him to become confident, but if you are patient and progress slowly, you will soon see the fruits of your hard work.

I hope this helps and all the best with the training!