HOW TO STACK A GSD
First are some following questions that many have asked and then we will go over how to stack your own dog.
What Does the term " Stack " Mean ?
A
Stack is the NATURAL stance of the GSD. It is the stance that the Gsd
must be put into in the show ring. You may see your dog stack narually a
lot as this is normal for them. Stacking is just the term used to
describe the dogs stance.
Do all dogs stack ?
Yes all dogs do stack but the German
Shepherd is the ONLY dog that stack's in this way. Most other breeds
have both rear legs positioned in the same way but with the Shepherd we
put both rear legs in different positions.
How important is a correct stack ?
It
is very important to position the dog correctly as it will show the
viewer the dogs structure. It can portray many different things such as
...
Below is a picture of a Fairly well stacked dog.
This dog was stacked by a 7 year old girl who had NEVER stacked a dog before. ANYONE CAN DO IT.
Notice
how much you can tell about this dog's structure. You can see her
angulation as well as many of the other things that we stated. Can you
see why it is important to see a dog in this natural stance? You can
tell a lot from this and see just how close the dog compares to
standard.
Below
are some detailed instructions of the EASIEST way to stack your GSD.
Although it is nice to train a dog to walk right into a stack on command
this is not always the easiest thing to do. Sometimes this way will
prove to be quicker and the is a good way for the average person to
learn as well as for the beginner show dog.
We
will be posting pictures with the detailed instructions of how to stack
your dog as well. We will post them as soon as possible.
STEPS TO STACKING THE GSD
Step 1 - POSITIONING THE DOGS FRONT
First you will place the dog directly in front of you. You will GENTLY
place your open hand under the chest. Place hand DIRECTLY behind the
front legs firmly but gently. With your other hand hold under the neck
at the collar or wherever it gives you the easiest way to support your
dog. GENTLY lift dog's front half off the ground. You only have to
lift them off the ground a few inches. This will make the dog's front
legs drop evenly onto the ground. Gently lower dog to the ground and
their front legs should be in the correct position. MINOR corrections
may be necessary see step 2.
Step 2 - FIXING MINOR FAULTS OF THE FRONT LEGS
If
correction to the front legs is needed follow this step. If correction
is not needed you may proceed to next step. To correct minor
positioning you may grasp the dogs forearm and lift of the ground.
Wherever you place the paw back onto the ground is where the dog should
keep it. We do this because you can almost use the dogs paw as a
pointer and put it exactly where you want it. We grasp the forearm
because it is hard for the dog to reposition their feet when you have a
hold of their forearm. This is also the easiest way for a child to
position the dog IF dog is too heavy for them to lift. A child can
easily position the front end in this manor by doing one leg at a time.
NOTE: MAKE SURE DOG IS DIRECTLY OVER THEIR LEGS. WE WANT STRAIGHT
LEGS UNDER THE BODY AND A DOGS CHEST WELL OVER THEIR FRONT LEGS.
Step 3 - POSITIONING THE REAR LEG CLOSEST TO YOU
In
this step you will take the REAR leg that is closest to you and grasp
it by the hock. Gently lift and slide it either forward or backwards.
Positioning this leg depends upon where the dog had it when you started
this step. You want this foot positioned DIRECTLY below the hip bone.
You can feel your dog's hip bone at the end of the back and beginning of
the croup. If you position this foot to far forward it will make the
dog appear uncomfortable as well as making it look as if the dog stands
on its hock rather than foot. THIS IS NOT A NATURAL POSITON FOR THE
DOG. If foot is to far back you will not give the viewer a true picture
of the dog's angulation. In the GSD's stack we can get a good idea of
that dog's movement. This depicts the natural motion of the dogs gait
and is the NATURAL stance of the dog. POSITIONING IS VERY IMPORTANT. A
well structured dog can look bad with bad positioning.
Step 4 - POSITIONING REAR LEG FACING CAMERA
You
want to grasp the rear leg at the hock. GENTLY slide leg back till the
hock is at a STRAIGHT 90% angle. This leg is VERY important that it is
in the correct position. To far back and it will exaggerate the
angulations of the dog as well as be uncomfortable. To far forward and
dog will not be able to hold its balance and dog will be uncomfortable.
This leg show's you the TRUE position of the dog. It will depict where
the foot is at the last moment that it is on the ground while in
motion. It will show the dog's TRUE structure IF positioning is
correct.
Step 5 - FINAL REPOSTIONING
Check
to make sure that dog is still in the stance that you have put him in.
If you have done it correctly the dog will not tend to move as this is
comfortable as well as natural for them. Of course with the beginner
dog they do not know what you are doing or what you expect from them so
it may take a few times to make them understand what you want. Also the
stubborn or young dog can prove a challenge. Again there is the chance
that if you are also a beginner the dog is not stacked correctly and is
not comforatable and is moving because of that. It is not always the
dog's fault. Once you are happy with the positioning place your hand
under the back of the dog's jaw at the point where there neck meets the
jaw. You may even pull the collar up to right behind the ears as well
as grasp the collar under the jaw and that will give you control of the
dog. Next you will pull gently forward to make them stand over their
front legs correctly. Also raise the head in the natural alert
position. It may help to have someone stand in front of them with a
favorite toy. This will get their attention and they will allow you to
do almost anything.
Step 6 - FINAL STEP
QUICK TAKE A PICTURE BEFORE THEY MOVE!!!
Repeat as
needed. Do not get frustrated as this will take some time for you as
well as your dog to understand. PERSEVERANCE IS THE KEY.
Thank You to http://www.patchworkshepherds.com/ for the article
