Reality

 Atleast you can recoginze that showing isn't Lillie's thing Some people can't accept that.  Besides she looks like an agility dog to me. (Then again, I'm just addicted to the sport right now.. Lol)

 Some dogs just aaren't into it, not your fault. Besides you'll have your handsful with two pups.

oranges81

Atleast you can recoginze that showing isn't Lillie's thing Some people can't accept that

Yes to this statement.  Too many dogs are forced (same with some children) to do something because the owner wants it so much.  Good for you for not forcing Lillie to do something she just doesn't enjoy.  Give your Mom a big kiss Lillie.

 As soon as you have her spayed, she'll gait beautifully, with her head up, LOL. It's the running joke, around here, that when I spay Ena, her furnishings are going to be dragging the ground.

I agree, though.... it's a good thing to recognize that she doesn't want to do it. She wouldn't show well, anyways, and you'd both be not having fun like you should. 

I doubt that Lily "dislikes" conformation itself. Perhaps she dislikes being around so many dogs? Dislikes being stacked? Dislikes the methods involved (this seems liek it could be the case, if she is soft and the instructor encourages "leash pops" to get her going)? But I doubt she thinks "oh I hate being a show dog". I wouldn't give up on her, if you really want to show her. Instead I'd try to change the training approach and make it more fun for her. I'd suggest reading Sue Ailsby's articles on training:

 http://www.dragonflyllama.com/%20DOGS/Writing/confstack.html

 I have a dog who appears to dislike showing but really she dislikes being in such close quarters with strange dogs.

I disagree...respectfully. Some dogs...and it is commonly bitches...do NOT like conformation. I have had them myself. Exactly as described...Susie is like that, knows the drill...likes the PRE show stuff and will do as she is told...but her heart is not in it and it shows in her gait and her tail carriage. She does not like "to show". It IS a dog "show" and your dog should enjoy EVERYTHING about it.

Some dogs never will enjoy it the way they do fetching a bumper, taking a tunnel, or laying on the couch. It is not for the owner to MAKE them enjoy it...IMO...(frank talk ahead I know kle can take) it's not like Lillie is a BIS caliber bitch that has a specials career around the corner. This was something being done for FUN...and if the dog must be TAUGHT how to have fun...what's the point? This dog was not born into the conformation ring from puppyhood like some are....being trained from the outset that this is fun and games and so great...this is an adult dog that had heretofor no expectations upon her other than to be a companion and behave herself at her home,a nd enjoy her family.

IMO spaying this bitch, and concentrating on the TWO other dogs needing to be shown is the right tack to take. Good on your kle for recognizing what is going to make her happiest. And noting that two unaltered males will be in residence with this gal...who is not intended for breeding.

 She loves going to class. She doesnt show any discomfort when around the other dogs. She stacks fine. She just doesnt gait right and when I try to correct her it hurts her feelings. I tried to work with her, the trainer tried, and even the girl in the class that shows Irish Setters tried. But she broke down and wasnt happy at the end.

I did get her just to be my companion and thought showing her would be fun. But it's not for her so I will leave her alone and concentrate on my other 2 that were bred with the purpose of showing in their future. 

Lillie will be getting spayed and then we'll take up agility which is fun for her.

Give her a break she is still a baby !!  I have found an odd trick with my pack, the dog who shows little interest and enthusiasim Is to have them only watch as I work with another dog.  It drives our hounds nuts. The more you ignore them the more they come around.... and some dogs actually need to be older before they enjoy the concept of showing. Movement speaks highly of maturity and confidence. It is not simply correct conformation and carriage.

Concentrate on Joker and have fun teaching her any and everything that makes her happy...but do not stop working on her coat, stack and manners!! She is just too pretty!!

Bonita of Bwana

kle1986

 She loves going to class. She doesnt show any discomfort when around the other dogs. She stacks fine. She just doesnt gait right and when I try to correct her it hurts her feelings. I tried to work with her, the trainer tried, and even the girl in the class that shows Irish Setters tried. But she broke down and wasnt happy at the end.

 My guess is that the problem is that she is overly sensitive to any corrections. It sounds like she is extremely soft and easily shuts down from what you describe. If that is the case, she will be a hard dog to train for any venue (but certainly not impossible). I do hope you check out the links I posted, this sounds like a dog who is going to need a lot of positive, reward based training.

Bonita of Bwana

Give her a break she is still a baby !!  I have found an odd trick with my pack, the dog who shows little interest and enthusiasim Is to have them only watch as I work with another dog.  It drives our hounds nuts. The more you ignore them the more they come around.... and some dogs actually need to be older before they enjoy the concept of showing. Movement speaks highly of maturity and confidence. It is not simply correct conformation and carriage.

Concentrate on Joker and have fun teaching her any and everything that makes her happy...but do not stop working on her coat, stack and manners!! She is just too pretty!!

 I agree with Bonita. Maybe put Lily's conformation training on hold. Or take her along to class just to hang out. But spaying is very final and something you may end up regretting later.

 She  will have two unaltered males, that she will be showing. Getting her spayed and doing something fun like agility sounds better. IMO

I dont think putting it off any or forcing her to keep at it would make her 'enjoy' it anymore. If she's not comfortable about it, she's just not going to enjoy it - ever. I've been forced to do things, and my parents slacked off and let me do things my way/not do them - and I STILL don't enjoy it(years later). Showing just might not be her 'thing'. Maybe being a great agility dog is her 'thing'.

I'd save getting her spay til as late as possible thou - she might axcell at agility, and someone may want to breed with her for future agility stars. Just a thought.

I'm happy that your realizing this now, instead of making her drag thru it - Lillie will be thankful either way.

tiffy

 She  will have two unaltered males, that she will be showing. Getting her spayed and doing something fun like agility sounds better. IMO

I can appreciate that thinking.  With the cost of entries and travel showing that many dogs will become pricey for sure.  I guess I was just thinking back to the posts about how excited she was about showing Lillie .  I had one girl who hated to show, she stacked like a rock was amazing in movement but the instant we walked into the ring her head dropped and her tail tucked, you would have taken money on her having been beaten!  The moment she walked out of the ring she was dancing and having a ball once more,  I showed her a couple of times and the judges without fail were highly amused at her spilt personality. I also took her out of the ring and retired her, since only champion dogs are used in our breeding program I waited until she was at the age I prefer for spaying and had her altered. Sure enough with in the year she loved going to shows and would try to go into the rings on her own.  I was scolded by a couple of breeder judges for having given up too soon,

With two dogs to show the advice to let her assume a strictly companion role is not bad at all.  If you had ever wanted to be a breeder of Irish Setters then I would wait,  give her time to finish maturing and just check once in a while with matches since they are a lot less expensive for training and fun.  She is a very, very pretty girl.

Bonita of Bwana

Bonita Lillie is exactly like your dog. She will stack,hold it,gait perfectly at home. She stacks and holds it perfectly in class. But she acts like she had just been beat when I go to take her down and back.

I was excited about the thought of showing Lillie. If it's time she needs Im all up for it. I just dont want to make her do something she doesnt like doing.

The breeder Im getting the IS boy from is showing 2 of his brothers. One of them hates coming to class. She didnt know what to expect from him in the show ring. She took a chance and entered him in a show. She said he did perfectly. He got 5 points. He still hates coming to class though. The other brother does awesome in class. She said in the show ring he's a butt. Doesnt want to do anything but try to make friends with everyone. Said he'll stack just fine but cant get him to behave on the move. Their just 7 months old though so their still learning.

I guess Im being too impatient and giving up too soon. Money is not a problem. I got a part time job to cover whatever expenses I will have.

My trainer also mentioned just entering Lillie in matches for now and just to make it fun. No pressure. Just have fun. Said that would help Lillie get comfy and relax once it becomes something she gets used to doing. Just like how she didnt like car rides but realizes the car means going out and doing new things and seeing new things.