My Reaction to my Dog's Stress in the Ring // AKC Obedience

If your dog struggles with anxiety in the ring, you're not alone! That's actually a common problem! While working with Forest a few days ago, he showed me signs of stress for the very first time. Ring nerves can have an impact on both dogs and people, so I think it's important to react a certain way. What precedent did I choose to set this time? How did I help him overcome his anxiety? And can you use this technique to help your own dog?
Facebook: / muchmorethanjustadog
About Forest: A Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Forest loves eating treats, destroying toys, learning new things, and snuggling as often as he can. This year, we're working on Obedience and Rally skills as well as exploring new enrichment and canine puzzles!
About Kayla: I began training dogs in 2008, starting with raising puppies to be future service dogs and fell in love with the human-canine connection. Over the last several years, I’m thankful to have had the chance to help train service dogs, therapy dogs, compete in Obedience and Rally, and introduce people to the dog sports I love.
Thank you for watching this video! It would mean a lot to me if you subscribed and joined Forest, Maya, Callie, and me on all of our future canine-related adventures!

[@johnbasedow]

Very helpful info on dealing with ring stress. Subscribed. 💪🏼🐺

[@MsGorobin]

I didn't just like this video...I LOVED this video. How very clever and sensitive you are to your dog's behavior. Bravo! I am trialing tomorrow with my pemmie for the first time and this video could not have come at a better moment. Thank you so very much for these excellent words of advice and support!💞🐾👌🏻

[@morethanjustadog]

Awww thank you! That means a lot to me! Good luck at your trial! Let me know how it goes!

[@hibiscus09]

Thanks for this! My dog sneezes once or twice when we go into the competition ring. I know it’s stress. We are trialing tomorrow. I’ll remember your advice because it matters more that he’s comfortable than whether or not we get a Q. I think sometimes I just hurry him along because I’m worried about the judge. I’ll stay calm and reassure him best I can in the situation. He hasn’t ever sneezed when we are training. Good your dog gave you a head’s up. Lol

[@ellenclary]

Things that stress my dog are noises that I don't even notice right away (squeaks and rattles, oh and loud Harley Davidsons, and a whining drone terrified her). She's a little overly sheltered from the COVID peace and quiet. She'll be ok as I get her out more, but I have to accept that she's a year behind and that's hard when I see how talented she is. I usually look for yawning which is a definite stress indicator, and, in agility, "zoomies" is a huge stress sign that my dog excels at. 😐

[@morethanjustadog]

I have a dog that also loves to show of her zoomies in the ring! We have a video coming out later this summer about it. Stay tuned and thanks for watching!

[@ThePyrshepnBelgn]

Such a good reminder!

[@SoccerDudee4792]

This is cool! In an actual trial you can’t do this can you? In our last one. I did something similar but I did it in order to get her to focus heel more natural.

[@barblyon6544]

UGH! We're having major ring stress...but only in the trial ring. She's awesome in practice, but we get to a trial and the moment she enters the ring, she shuts down. I've been told we train too much. Easy solve. We take a break, and then break the exercises up only practicing 1-2 maybe 2x per week. They say you use too many treats, so I can cut that. Play more, ok. But I'don't have faith this will transform my dog. She knows the exercises cold, but its not going to happen in the ring if sh's nose to the mat the whole time. I'm afraid her career ends at a CD. 😞

[@1packatak]

Is she picking up on your stress?? Can you do some fun runs to see how she does?