I noticed from one of Terry's pics she uses treats as part of her showing routine.

I could never get the hang of it. I would struggle with the treat in one hand then the lead in the other. When I went to sort her back legs out to stack her she would then turn to see where the treat was. In the end I just did it without.

I am curious what others do.

I use bait in the ring. Lockie is very food orientated. And this is why God created pockets I don't pull the bait out until after I have him stacked and then I use the bait to keep his interest. Sometimes when gaiting him and I still have the bait in my hand, that can be an issue as he sidles to get to my hand. But he is getting better at ignoring that now as he knows he will get it when he has finished his run. Otherwise I put it back in my pocket till I have him stacked again. Sometimes waiting in Group line up can take for ages so the bait just keeps him interested.

Like Brollachan I also use treats. However, unlike Brollachan my showing can be a bit hit and miss. In my defence this is partly due to the fact that although I co-own the deerhounds and am quite involved with them they mostly live with my Mum. We've also made the mistake (repeatedly) of keeping two dogs from a litter. So basically if the dogs aren't looking for my Mum they're looking for their litter mate.

I like to use treats which have a noisy wrapper. Baby Bell cheese is my current favourite. I also keep this in my pocket. I use it when training the dogs and before I go into the ring. If I need the dogs attention or need to get the dogs head up a bit more when I am in the ring I just rustle the packet rather than give a treat. However, after the individual show is finished I always give the dog a treat and also when the class overall has finished. I find it really helps especially when UK classes can be 20 plus dogs on occasions.

I don't use a treat when standing/stacking the dogs. I find it's difficult enough to control the front end of a long dog whilst adjusting the back feet, without a treat in my hand.

I recently attended an excellent show training seminar by Liz Dunhill. This was really well organised by the South East Hound Society. Liz certainly recommended using treats where possible.

My friend uses a tripe stick to help keep her Afghans head high whilst running around the ring which is effective. Is is preferable to have the head high with deerhounds? With Afghans they seems to like the head as high a possible.

Tripe, I bet she has smelly hands by the end of the show!

I daren't use treats with Murphy, he is obstanate and pushy and will ignore the show and make it his lifes ambition to get at the treat!

To get him to stand (please don't laugh!) I have to say "Where's Nanny?" He adores my Mum and associates her with long walks with puppies! she also brings him nice things round. This usually works well, he looks nice and alert with his ears pricked. However it didn't work at Crufts this year as my Mum was ringside taking photo's, I had to ask her to hide, in every picture Murphy is looking for her.

I am a bit of a meanie really, I may on occasions buy the odd packet of Schmacko's, but very rarely. His meals take so long for him to eat, I'd rather him have proper food than treats, though I can't resist his face when I am cutting cheese

The head should be at a natural level, not as tall as when in a stack. Unlike our Bree who drops her head and looks like a F1-11 That is one of the reasons that I like my friend Steve to handle her as he is able to hold her head up. Unfortunately I can't run and pull her up at the same time. If I run her outside the ring she is fine and holds her head up. It is just in the ring where she decides to sulk.