Hi there I was recently asked to show a friend's 2 1/2 year old male Dobe. He was shown as a young puppy (7 months) and actually was RWD twice from the puppy classes at major shows. Anyway he hasn't been shown since and I brought him to handling class twice now and he's a great dog - happy and friendly and sweet but he stiffens up and growls (mutters under his breath LOL) when someone goes over him and gets to his middle and especially rear. The first class I had a hard time getting him to stay standing - he kept wanting to sit but last week he stayed standing better but was so worried and grumpy! Any tips? Can I even get him over this? The owner is a novice - the breeder is actually blaming him but the dog has just been living as a pet and is very well behaved at home and a great dog with his kids, strangers, etc.
HELP!
HELP!