My dining room is slowly becoming a doggy version of a spa for Alfie. 
I know how that is! It's kind of hard to make grooming tables and crates into "decor" 
I was contemplating ditching the bait until the end, what do you think?
Yes, ditch the bait for at home practice, and use sparingly at class or in the ring. It is an extra special treat to get them on their toes and alert, so you don't want to feed the dog in the ring!
It's a fine line with a first show dog, you need the practice but you don't want to make the dog sour or bored. If you see any sign that the dog is getting bored or resentful, quit for a couple of days. Always keep the dog fresh! 
You can also incorporate the gaiting into your regular walks, you can say "show dog!" and do a quick gaiting pattern with loads of praise at the end (when the judge would be looking) for doing such an amazing wonderful thing
I was actually doing the 'silly walk' my OH calls it
on the pathway in the woods alone with Alfie the other day. Well I hope I was alone and noone could see.
. Right, Alfie and I are on a mission now, wonky feet and all.
Jaspersmum we struggled finding this one ourselves. The last one was very much as you describe, we found this one via a lady I work with, she does obedience stuff so knows a lot of people, so gave me the number of someone who attended. It was real fun too, and Alfie seemed much more relaxed in this class than the previous thankfully. Other than hiding under the chair from the tiniest dog I have ever seen (dont even know what it was to be honest, we think Alfie thought one of his toys had come alive. We have got a bit of a trek though now every wednesday night, its not very close to were we are, but definately will be worth it. I hope you can find somewhere suitable, we are having lots of fun doing it.
We already travel 30 mins to get to this one and can't go too much further as we didn't get home till 10.30pm which is late with school next day 
I'm hoping a COLer who use's the club will come in the next couple of weeks to give an honest opinion on Heidi and Meg 
But I think it's safe to say Heidi was relaxed - she was asleep under our table between her stints and that was despite being next to an enormous Akita
I was listening in to the people next to us on the subject of bait, they said they were using too high a value with chicken as they were being mobbed by the dog, not advisable when the dog is a huge Akita and it's round your neck they were trying something less interesting.
Yes, Alfie was mobbing me for cheese last night.
My mum came with me last night and just sat there rolling her eyes.
The last class everyone baited, this one it wasnt obvious if they where.
I think its fab that your daughter is getting so involved
I was watching a little girl last night, I wish I had been able to do it when I was a kid. This little girl told us when she left school she wanted a job playing with puppies.
I know what you mean about the late finishes though, it tires me out. I slept like a log last night. Pity Alfie didnt.
I was getting disheartened the last four weeks not going to ringcraft, thinking we wouldnt find a decent class and that would be it. Have you called the Kennel Club to ask them? To be honest I did and they told me that there were no classes by me
but I suppose where this class is isnt really. Keep putting the feelers out, and please dont enter your daughter and Heidi into a show with me and Alfie she would run circles around us.
