samshine
Posted : 10/28/2008 8:12:50 PM
The one true way to get a happy Labrador -- FOOD!
You know what they say about people eating because of stress? Well there is truth to that. Eating does reduce stress. Works on dogs too. I learned this at an obedience seminar. That was one recommendation for stressed dogs, lots of treats. (of course the meals need to be reduced in size to make up for the large amounts of training treats.) It's a good idea to use their actual dog food for a training treat if that will work.
So when you are training, keep the treats flowing. Once he is better trained and having a good time, then you can start to cut back. Right now it would be just about impossible to over-reward. You could feed him his entire dinner over the course of one handling class.
Keep training sessions short and light. Concentrate more on having a happy dog than a well-stacked one. A well-stacked dog that is not happy is always going to lose to the happy animated dog that doesn't behave perfectly well. Maybe you need to relax and have a good time at class and at shows too? If you are stressed your dog will pick up on that. At shows I become absolutely chatty with people in the ring and people sitting ringside. It's a good way for me to relax. (I watch the previous classes if possible to watch the judge's style. Some judges never look down the line, then we can just relax. Some judges look at the line after watching each individual dog. Then I just make sure my dog doesn't look terrible when the other dogs are finished with their go-around. The rest of the time we relax.) At handling class I am also relaxed and chatting with people. Smile and laugh at your dog. Let him know that he is the light of your life. Play games with your dog. Literally. Bring a toy to class.
Another thing that helps me relax is that before each class or show, I pick just ONE thing as our goal. Right now that one thing for you is to have fun. As you progress and that isn't a problem any more, you will pick a new goal. Maybe that would be a good exam, after that maybe a good down and back. That gives you something to focus on, and when you meet that goal you will have a sense of accomplishment whether you win or lose. Lowers the frustration level. 
At your next handling classes and your next shows, you will not be be worried about how your dog performs, you will not be concerned with how he places. Your only concern will be that he has a Good Time. (You too!) Relax, have fun. While you are at class having fun, you will be able to get some training in here and there. You will make progress. The Labrador ring is a very competitive place. Dogs generally don't start winning until they are two or older. So right now you shouldn't be concerned with that. I always consider the first year of showing a dog just for training, socialization, and exposure. I never expect or worry about winning. By the time your dog is mature and ready to win, you should both know what you are doing by then. You have plenty of time. My dog is two and just in the last six months has she become reliable about not jumping on the judges. 
As far as the stacking, I would keep working on it. But you don't expect to get the whole behavior at once. Like everything else we teach our dogs, it has to be broken down into small steps. This is how I do it. At first, I have a fist full of treats in my right hand. I hold that out in front of the puppy's nose and gradually hand them out. My left hand is just barely brushing in front of their flank. Not holding, no pressure. Just a reminder. That will keep them standing. I make it like a regular obedience command. Stand, Stay, then after a moment followed by a release word. Gradually increasing the time, and also gradually begin to move my left hand over the dog, back, legs, tail, under the tail. When you are close to areas he's uncomfortable with, make sure the food is flowing. He will relax and stop being bothered. Don't worry about the leg positions for now. All we are concerned about is that he maintain the stay and allow himself to be touched, while remaining happy and relaxed. If you start trying to move legs around and he doesn't even know how to stand still, it just turns into a tense struggle. So a relaxed stay comes first.
Then I start moving my right hand so sometimes I am holding in front of the nose with treats, and sometimes my hand is in the collar (no treats.) Also start gradually rocking away from the dog, sideways, and up and down a little. That would be in preparation for him continuing to stand as you stand over him and position him and also to maintain the stay as you step in front. THEN, you can start trying to gently place a leg. Did they show you in class how to grab at the elbow and well above the hocks?
When you are at class, let the instructor know that you want to work on him being happy for the exam. Just have him do the beginning stand I described above, treats in front of nose being doled out, and left hand lightly in front of his flanks. Then just have the instructor touch him on the head and the back. That would be enough at first. Over time gradually have the instructor be more thorough. If Cooper ever starts to act unhappy, you are pushing things too fast. Take it back a step. Also see if the instructor will give him a treat before and after each exam for a while.
So in conclusion, relax, have fun, use lots of treats. Do more hand stacking, not less. But do it in a happy light non-stressful way. Don't expect too much or be demanding when hand stacking. Keep it short.