Show Training
I'm not sure I'm doing enough with my girls. Sky won't stack properly, she keeps bringing one back foot forward, and is very stubborn about it. Dancer doesn't stand up straight, she wants to sit all the time. |
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I showed my miniature schnauzer in all of 2 shows - lol. He pickede up Best of Breed in one though. 
I went into the ring clueless. Sampson, my doggie, just happened to be a really attentive, intelligent dog. I used to take him to work with me everyday, and he trained along with the German shepards (the guard dogs). He could do pretty much every command in English, German, and sign language. LOL Gosh, I miss that dog. Anyway, for the shows, they were pretty simple. He pretty much just had to stand still pointed out, docked tail up (won't apply to OES, lol), and walk a leash. We pretty much just walked a square, stopped, the judge went over the dogs, walked around again, stopped, walked a line individually, and she picked the winners. It was fun - like I figured it would be. I was still in high school, or else, I might have carried on with it. Hard to go to shows when you're working pretty much full-time hours (shhh...lol), going to high school, and everything else (same situation with college then came kids ).
The shows I did attend were just local ones...one in Jackson, MS and another in Tupelo, MS. They are nothing big at all. Sammy was only against one other schnauzer in the one we won, so it's not like we had a ton of competition, lol Still, the ribbons are nice for the scrapbook.
I'm sure others will have more advice for you. Good luck with your training. I've always wanted to do agility...that looks like so much fun during the shows! I loved watching that portion of it. |
| One of the best things you can do is find a conformation class. These are helpful for you and your puppy. Most judges love the puppy classes and don't expect as much from them. A good judge will encourage your dog by talking to them and petting them. Also get your puppy used to strangers handling them by running their hands down the body, opening the mouth and touching their backends. Some dogs don't mind this; others hate it. We taught Beau and Luke to stack while on walks, we would stack them at every corner. Most puppies won't stack for long but do better as they get older. Your breeder may be helpful if she shows, I used to go with mine and generally showed most of the puppies. She can also help you with show grooming. One other thing you may be able to find are puppuy matches, these are just for fun and you compete against all breeds. |
| Frank & I took handling classes offered by our local kennel club. I would definitely check to see if anyone in your area offers them and get the girls enrolled as soon as possible. The younger you get them exposed to the classes and all the other dogs they will experience in the show ring, the better.
As far as stacking is concerned, in class you will learn how to focus your dog on you with treats/bait. Stacking for the most part is your dog's natural stance. The dog's focusing on the handler is also key. You are allowed to manually move a dog's legs into position but there are certain ways to do this that your instructor should show you. They will also show you how to keep your dog's head up while running to the judge with bait, etc. You need to watch too how much you try to get your dog into a "sit" position on a day-to-day basis. If your dog sees bait in your hand she might automatically go down into a sit. If that is the case you need to walk backward with the bait to make her get up and once she's standing, reward her then. Also, not sure if you're thinking about showing both girls yourself or will have help with from your family but I agree with bestdogsx4 it would be best to maybe have someone else attend the classes with you or try to contact a handler. |
| Another thing you can practice on walks is folding the extra lead in your hand so it doesn't have any slack. This will help keep your dog's head up and helps you control the pace, they have to go at your speed. Something else my breeder taught me was to have a longer stride, it's smoother and looks much better than short steps. |
| the best thing I could recommend is having your girl "hold" for everything. Don't have her sit for a treat, have her hold. Make it a little longer each time. she will get used to holding a stacked position. if you have someone else in the house you may have that person run their hands over her, as would happen in the ring. |
| Thanks for the replies.... I hope I can find a handling class soon. I'm having a hard time getting a hold of anyone.... the only contact phone number for our local kennel club only goes through to a fax machine... I'll have to see if I can call some breeders. I know there is a lab breeder, a dane breeder who doesn't show, and a samoyed breeder who used to show and now does a lot of rescue. Maybe one of them will know where to find a handling class. |
| It's funny - I just asked my breeder the very same question - and I don't think she would mind if I passed on her response. It's a bit daunting. I thought I had asked a simple question - but it turns out it's just the tip of the iceberg!
-----Original Message----- Hi B, ... Quick question for you - do you know of any "mentoring" programs or how we can get up to speed on all the ins and outs of showing dogs? I've been to the AKC web site but the listings are slim on mentoring and when it does appear it appears to be breed specific, e.g., Whippets. Any ideas? -- H -----Reply Message----- From: B Subject: Mentoring Hi there, We are all doing well here. Hope you all are well, too. Several questions for you: Are you talking about conformation, agility or obedience showing? Are you talking about grooming techniques? I would suggest several approaches. First, go to a number of local shows and just watch. Watch all kinds of dogs being shown. Notice the different patterns that the judges might ask the handlers to perform. Go to the grooming area and seek out some OES folk and chat...just be sure not to go too close to ring time when everyone is starting to get into a mild panic because they have a lot more to do and too little time left. Join your local kennel club. Ask your vet for a recommendation about handling classes. Check out "pet training" in the yellow pages. Practice having Farley walk calmly next to you, then break into a fast walk/slow trot. Try to keep him with you and go in a straight line. (Don't do this on his poop/pee walks...make this a "special" time.) Dog should ALWAYS be kept on your left side. Practice moving in a triangle shape: 40 ft up, 40 ft across and then back to the beginning pt. Begin to practice your brushing techniques with a very light touch. Try to remove as little undercoat as possible. Start to use a show collar instead of a wide nylon collar since the nylon collars tend to wear hair off the neck. Grannie Annie's NEOESR site used to offer a grooming tape. Don't know if they still do. If they still do, investigate getting one, just be aware that it may deal with pet, rather than show grooming. Get yourself some good brushes, the longer the pin the better. Don't use combs as they take out too much undercoat. And lastly, we can always get together and practice on our pups. Wonder how much laughing we would do vs. working?? Let me know how far you are willing to travel to get to a show. There should be a number of shows in the Va-Md area in April. Let me know some dates and I'll check the show listings and let you know what's where and when. Give that growing fuzzball a big hug from all of us. |
We never baited our dogs but I used to see handlers of other breeds keep the bait in their mouth(yuck  ) |
| Yes, the handlers do usually have food bait, very few with toys, and I think some judges disapprove of toys, as do the other handlers because it may disrupt the other dogs. Food bait seems to be preferred, however, my dogs have no interest in food, no matter what it is... so that won't work for me at all. |
| I think this is for general public viewing look over George Alston's IAMS Breeders
Select program http://goodnews.iams.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ ... Fd0BOpe0E5 This is very very very informative |
| George Alston also wrote a book about showing plus there are several more. Sorry, if I was home I could give you titles and authors. Maybe your library has some. |
| Thw 2 books I found helpful are The Winning Edge(George Alston) and Dog Showing for Beginners(Lynn Hall)
The Winning Edge : Show Ring Secrets, by George Alston Dog Showing for Beginners, by Lynn Hall |
| Thank you all for posting about the books, I will look into it and see what I can find. Rogers Dad, that link just took me to a link for an ad site about voice over internet... I'm on my hubby's computer right now though, and it is full of viruses, hijackers and spyware so that may be why.... |
| I rechecked it and it worked for me again. Tonight when I get home I will post some links to help you with the pop-up ad problem. But for now go to lavasofts homepage and down load their free program ada ware personal it will help allot also go to http://www.microsoft.com/athome/securit ... fault.mspx this is microsofts anti spyware beta and is free it really works wonders also. I will post links for ad free programs and download sites. Never download anything free from a Google ad. Ron you are a Guru do you have any suggestions? |
| Willowsprite-
Did you have any luck finding any classes? If I remember correctly you have your show coming up in April. Holly |
| Not yet, but I have some names and numbers to call now that can point me in the right direction, I just haven't called them yet... thank you for reminding me...lol... I'll do that tomorrow! |
Ironically enough, Sky is the one I am working on with training for show. I have done very little with Dancer since she will not be shown until next year, but just for the fun of it, after working with Sky for a little while on walking with the show lead and heeling, I decided to give it a try with Dancer. Guess what? Perfect. You'd swear she was an experienced show dog. She is the one who I thought wouldn't get it.... 
Now I am kicking myself for shaving her, because she would have been a dream to walk through the ring with in a few weeks. |
| By the way, I can NOT get Sky to walk properly or stand still.... so taking her in the ring will be a nightmare. I'm going to do it anyway, because I'm sick of putting it off for one reason or another. I'm kind of under pressure to get in the ring, so that's what I'll do. She looks awful because she is muddy, matted, messy... (though I just bathed her today, I have no blow dryer til Friday) and she hasn't learned a thing about heeling, or standing, or stacking. I am just going to keep trying, and go in the ring regardless to get it over with. At this point I'm not looking forward to it at all.... I just want to get it done. LOL |
| Don't worry so much. Go to the show with the idea you'll have fun and look at it as a learning experience. I've seen some pretty funny things happen in the ring, usually with puppies, just take it all in stride. It's hard enough not to be nervous so try to relax Sky may suprise you in the end. Good luck! |
| Showing my dane was a breeze, no grooming really, she was so cool, calm and collected.... this is waaaaaay different! LOL I'll try to enjoy it, but I think at least for the first one it will be just a matter of getting it over with. LOL |
| Well, I've got myself and my stubborn, bouncy puppy signed up for intense training for the next few weeks. We will be working with an experienced personal trainer 3 hours a week until show time. 1.5 hours a week is one on one, just Sky, myself and the trainer, and the other 1.5 hours a week is in a class with other dogs and owners.
I'm excited again, because I feel like this is making progress. First class one on one is Tuesday night. I'll let you know how it goes! |
| Hi everyone... I guess I have been somewhat absent lately... my life has been a bit of a rollercoaster the last couple of months. My hubby got his promotion, which is great, but it is out of town, and he never bothered to learn to drive, so he can't commute, and he is working so much that it hasn't even been feasible for me to go pick him up and bring him home. Working 90 hours a week leaves him little time to even sleep or eat, so I've only seen him twice in the last month.
Along with that, the "if it can go wrong, it will" theory has been working hard around here...lol... so it has been a series of misadventures to say the least. I took today off work to groom Sky, bathe her, and groom again. Sky and I start classes tonight with a personal trainer. He has been a friend of mine for years, raises and shows labrador retrievers, and is currently going for his judging license. He is running the sanction match this year, it is the night before the actual show, and is part of the conditions he must meet to become a judge. A sanction match is essentially a practice show, and gives judges in training an opportunity to practice too. No points are awarded and the entry fee is only 5 dollars. That is the evening of the 28th, then show days are April 29, 30 and May 1st. My entry is sent in and paid for, now it is a matter of getting ready. Grooming is a bit of a challenge, but not too bad. She has a few small mats around her neck and behind her ears from Frazzle's visit, but I've been picking at those and I think I have most if not all of them now. Her feet need some work, after the rain and mud and then more snow and more mud, they are a mess. As for training, she needs a lot of it. The last little while it's like she has forgotten everything. She has turned into stubborn adolescent puppy. LOL I put her on the leash and she jumps and bounces all around, doesn't walk anything near a straight line.... when I try to get her to stand, she bounces and just wants to reach around and kiss my hands while I try to place her feet. I place one foot, move to the next, she bounces and wiggles around so she can see me and kiss me. After getting her to stand finally, I try to get her to walk again, and she lays down. Stubbornly. Won't budge. Uuuugh! LOL Hopefully the 3 hours a week of training I've arranged will help. That gives us 9 hours of training and the sanction match before the actual show. Plus of course lots of practice at home. Wish us luck! Please! I'm sure to need lots of it!
I hope all of you are well, and enjoying the first days of spring. Have a great day!
Stacey |
| Lots of luck!!! Pretty soon your Sky's accomplishments will match your oes.org rank under your screen name! |
| Sky's first training class today went wonderful! She was great, so much better than I expected. She walked perfectly on the lead, and there was absolutely no barking at any person or any dog, not overly excited and bouncy, but not the least bit apprehensive either. I am so proud of her!
We did a lot of gaiting, back and forth, I am out of shape. LOL John said she moves beautifully, but I need to work on our turns. Stacking went well too, except for one foot that she insists is not going to move. Her one front foot doesn't budge from the spot she decides on. If I try to place it, she holds it up, then puts it back. That's ok, I can work on that. We go again tomorrow, two days in a row every week so that we can see what she retains the next day, then I have all week to practice. I'm starting to have fun with this now, and feel a little more confident... so that alone should help. LOL |
 YAY SKY! Everything will be perfect, soon Sky will be in the brag section because she(and you) will do GREAT. |
| Well, it's getting closer so I thought I'd post a bit of an update.
Training has been going beautifully. Sky is better at turns now, most of the time, but sometimes she just gets this stubborn look, and won't do it. LOL She would rather stop, look at me like I am crazy, and flop her big fuzzy butt down almost laughing at me trying to get her to keep going. I have a LOT of work to do on her today and tomorrow. She is a mess, she is going to get totally brushed out today, feet and face combed out first though. Then a bath, using lots of conditioner on her feet and head but none on the rest of her body as it will soften the coat too much. We need to do ear hair plucking, toe nail trimming, and trim her bum and feet hair after she is blow dried and brushed again as well. Her face is the toughest part, the hair around her muzzle seems such an odd texture, and knots up so easliy, even when it is fully combed out the comb doesn't go through it easily. Same with her feet... weird. Anyway... the sanction match is tomorrow night, then shows on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I was supposed to go to Diane's place to get Sky's bum and feet trimmed, but my car sprung a fuel line leak, so I don;t trust it to drive 5 hours in an area I'm not familiar with, therefore I am going to attempt to trim it myself, and will probably do a rotten job...lol... Another breeder who is going to be at the show on at least one of the days has offered to trim her up for me, so I will do minimal trimming, and let her finish it up. I am more nervous I think because I won't know anyone there, I have no idea where to set up my stuff, I have no idea what ring I'm supposed to be in or near, heck I can't even remember exactly what "group" my dog falls into. I think herding group is group 7, but I'm not sure. At all. About anything. LOL No one can come with me, everyone is working, and my oldest is staying home to watch the younger ones for me, since my husband is working. I think I will ask my Dad if he can come and take some pictures, but I don't know what his schedule is like this weekend either, he is always busy doing something...lol... I still don't even have a proper show collar and lead, but I will get one tomorrow night just before the sanction match. I'm supposed to get what is called a "snake chain" whatever that is...lol.... Anyway... time to finish my coffee and get to work on Sky, who looks nothing like a show dog at the moment as she shoves her head under the gate with her big butt up in the air trying to chase the cat. |
| Willow
Herding group/seven if it's the same in Canada. OES usually go toward the end of the group like after lunch. Don't forget your arm band. Are you taking a crate to leave Sky in? If you do get a lock and put your purse and stuff inside under a towel, then lock it while you are in the ring. Take your camera because someone is always willing to take pictures for you. We used to put baby bibs on the dogs to keep the faces clean after grooming, but then I have some sloppy eaters. To find your ring and time go to the judges table or any ring steward, they can tell you. Don't worry about not knowing anyone, conversations just seem to spring up. The lead we used was (I'm having a senior moment, can't remember the name) a chain that went around the bottom of the neck, it was attached by 2 rings that were attached to a cotton lead. You can find them at the show. Best advice: RELAX, HAVE FUN AND GO SKY!!!!! |
| Go Sky!!! I'm so excited for you! I'll send you good show vibes this weekend! Good luck!
Karen |
| Thank you bestdogs...
OES show at 2pm on Friday, and at 3pm on Saturday, and at 11am on Sunday. I'm not bringing the crate, for one because there is no room for it in my little sundance, along with myself, Sky in the front seat, and the grooming table etc in the back seat. Also, because I don't think she would want to be left in it at the show, she is fine in it here, but I don't think she will want to be away from me when there are 500 other dogs and probably a couple thousand people. I think I will leave my purse in the car, and just have essentials in my pocket. I don't even have a digital camera at the moment  I'm going to see if I can borrow one though, and hopefully get someone to take pics for me.
The baby bibs are a great idea... I hadn't thought of that...lol... How will I know who is a ring steward? LOL Anyway, so far today, I have finished brushing out Sky's head, 2 feet, and one side of her. Just having more caffiene and then it's time to do her other side. I also need to pluck both her and Dancer's ears still, and trim their nails. I'm not going to attempt to trim Sky's bum and feet until after her bath and blow dry etc so I can see exactly how the fur will lie. I felt so guilty when I looked in Dancer's ears a few minutes ago. I have been concentrating on Sky so much and since Dancer is clipped down I haven't thought of her grooming needs. She has a lot of hair in her ears right now.... I'm going to get it all cleaned up today though. Poor girl...lol... when I put Sky up on the grooming table, Dancer jumps up with her front paws on it and looks so excited, she's like "Me next!" lol,... she is feeling a little jealous I think. I'll put her up on the table later and brush her just so she doesn't feel left out. |
| yes, yes! pictures, please! |
| Ring stewards stand by the table at every ring. Also buy a catalog, it's fun to look back at the dogs you compete against and a thrill to see your dog's name in it. If you can't borrow a camera some of the throwaway ones take pretty good pictures. I wish I wasn't so far away, I would love to be there. |
| I prepaid for my catelogue... so that will be picked up when I get there.... I do have 5 other cameras, 4 35 mm's and a polaroid....lol... so I will buy some film for the 35mm and borrow a dig as well if I can. |
Then you have no excuse for no pictures  |
| Isn't that lead called a Martingale?
Look for a Cherrybrook booth in amongst the vendors. They usually have some good deals. |
| You're right Mandy, it is a martingale. |
| YEAH! I was useful! |
| I used a martingale for last nights sanction match and didn't like it at all, but it was borrowed and it was too big so that may have been why. The nylon gets caught up in her fur and stuck all the time, so I really need to get the metal one. Like chain, but no links, more like just a solid necklace.
The sanction match went really well last night.... she was soooo well behaved, absolutely perfect with all the people and other dogs. She loved everyone and gave kisses. One of the judges came to kidknap her when we first got there, and sat and played with her for almost half an hour. (I got there quite early to set up and try to meet people) A few people were very helpful, which was nice since I didn't know anyone and was on my own. Before the judging started I took in her into an empty ring and practiced for a while, and she did wonderfully, although stacking her is a bit troublesome, she doesn't like her front feet being placed and keeps moving it back. LOL When it was ring time she did well, she got a First, a Best Female, and a Best of Breed.(It should be noted she was the only OES today LOL) When it came to group though she came in last, I think partly because by then we had been standing around in the freezing cold for four hours and she was bored,lol, so she decided to play then, jumping around the ring and kissing the judge. Also because the bouvier puppy who took first was a gorgeous dog, and an excellent example of it's breed. A nice collie came in second, a sheltie in third, an australian cattle dog in fourth, and then Sky in fifth. I was so cold, and my feet and back were killing me, so I didn't stay to see who took best in show. Today, she muddied up her feet and I have to re wash them, blow dry and comb them out, along with a full brushing all over. Dancer has muddy feet too, so I think I will wash her feet first so she doesn't paw at Sky and get her all muddy. LOL I am so tired already, I'm not quite sure how I am going to get through 3 more shows. LOL |
| Good job, Stacey and Sky! Don't know why, but I haven't been reading this thread, so I'm just now catching up. It will be a long week-end, but look at the experience you'll be gaining - and Sky, too!
Can't wait to see pictures! Good luck!! Chris |
| Thanks Chris
I am not going as early today, for one, so Sky doesn't get bored waiting around, and for two, because I am not feeling well. I thought being achy and exhausted last night was just from being on my feet and freezing all day, as well as all the bathing brushing, blow drying etc.... but today I have a fever and feel horrible. I tried to eat some toast and couldn't even eat half a peice. Oh well, the show must go on...lol.... I was going to head in today round 12:30, it is about 11:30 now.... Sky is re groomed, and my hair is done, but I am still in sweats...lol... I'll stay in comfy clothes til the last minute. I can't stand the thought of putting shoes on...lol... I would love to wear slippers.... big fuzzy slippers. Wouldn't that be cute? Go into the ring wearing tazmanian devil feet? LOL OES are in the ring at 2:10 pm.... but when I get there I have to get my armband and catelogue and go find a new collar and lead, I wish I had an idea how long that will take. I suppose I should make sure Sky has a few minutes to get used to the collar and lead too.... I hope I can find someone to take pics for me today... no luck on that yesterday.... speaking of which, I better go put extra batteries in my purse.... right now before I forget again...lol..... TTFN. |
| Go sky!!! Let hear about a repeat performance today! Try tokeep warm outthere Stacey- what a poop, to be sick when you're trying to show. Hope you've got a thermos full of soup or cocoa!
Karen |
| I hope things went well for you & Sky today! That really stinks to be sick on such an important day. Feel better soon!! |
| Sorry you don't feel well, a blue ribbon would make it better |
| I am soooo tired, so I won't post anything long and detailed right now... but she did well today. She got a Best Puppy in Breed, a First, a Winners, and Best Of Breed. There were no other oes though, so she won BOB by default. LOL
In group (which is all the winners out of each herding breed competing against each other), again we did not place, I really don't have the hang of this yet, and neither does Sky. She wants to play with the other puppies, and tries to turn around to see them, instead of going forward. When we stop, she wants to sit, not stack, and when we gait, she moves beautifully unles there is a dog behind her, and then she wants to stop and see why that other puppy is chasing her. LOL
I did get someone to take a pic, and she only got one before the battieries died on the camera. LOL It is not the greatest, but better than nothing. |
| If you don't have to go in catalog order try putting her at the end of the line. I think you and Sky did great She is new to this and it's quite confusing for a puppy. She'll get better each time and start to stack herself. You both survived the first 2 days, get some rest and tomorrow remember your batteries (that you were going to put in your purse so you wouldn't forget ) |
| Go, go, go! congrats on your placement! I hope your feeling better- take a nice warm bath, eat a nice hot meal, and take a nice long nap!!!
Karen |
| LOL, actually they were in my purse, but I didn't know they died til I got out of the ring. LOL
I uploaded 2 pics to the new photo album, the one of Sky and one of her ribbons |
Iriskmj wrote: Go, go, go! congrats on your placement! I hope your feeling better- take a nice warm bath, eat a nice hot meal, and take a nice long nap!!!
Karen I still don't feel very well at all, so the only thing I can mange to cook for supper tonight is Kraft dinner, yuck. LOL A bath sounds good though.... and a nap, but with the kids and the dogs *sigh* not gonna happen. |
| Just finished grooming Sky out again, and put her in her crate to keep clean while I have a quick coffee break, then I have to have a shower and get ready myself.
Today is the really big day, 4 OES are being shown today. 2 of them are Sky's half siblings...lol.... I am assuming that we will come in last, we just don't have the training and experience, and one has a professional handler. It will be nice to see the other oes though, and I am looking forward to meeting the breeder who owns Sky's father. If any one of the 3 dogs out of her male wins, she wins, lol, so she must be very excited I think. She is going to trim Sky up for me, feet and bum, and show me a few tips that will hopefully make today go smoother. Sky is excited to go, after she was done being groomed, she picked up her leash and headed for the door. LOL She knows it's show day! LOL Heeeere goes!~ |
Don't keep us in suspense.....how did it go today  |
| LOL... sorry for the wait, I am sooooo tired. LOL
Anyway, today we did as expected. Sky's half brother took Best Dog in breed, her half sister took Winners (best female), and Sky took Best Puppy In Breed. When the girls competed together Sky got Reserve Winners, which is second, her half sis got first. When all oes competed, Sky's half sis took Best Of Breed, Sky's half brother took second and Sky took third. Then Sky went on to puppy group, and they did not choose a first, second, third etc, only awarded first place to one dog. It wasn't her. LOL I think it was a bouvier, but I didn't even see who won it, it went so fast. Because Sky did not win puppy group (puppies of all herding breeds), she did not go on to group (winners of all herding breeds) like yesterday. Her half sis went on to group though, and didn't win, but she looked wonderful, did a great job and went home with 3 points. Although Sky didn't win, she is getting better at going around the ring, and slightly better at stacking, but we still need a LOT of work. Back we go tomorrow, earlier in the day thank goodness, and I think it will pretty much go the same tomorrow. I am very interested to see if Sky's half sis wins again, or her half brother. It is a different judge tomorrow, so I can't wait to see which one this judge prefers. Her half sis moves like she is on a cloud, stops on a dime, and stacks herself. LOL Beautiful. Her half brother is bigger, goofier, and all boy. LOL |
| Congratulations x 10!!! To you and Sky!!! I knew you and Sky would be great!! Give Sky and you a great big hug from me!! I can't wait to hear how she does tomorrow!!!
CONGRATS!!! Stormi |
| Congrats, Sky and Stacey! The first show is almost over and you did great!! It'll be a piece of cake from here on!
Hope you're feeling better, Stacey. And love the pictures you posted! Chris |
| Stacey-
Please don't go in the ring with low expectations. Sky looks beautiful
Pro handlers DO NOT always win!!!! The only difference between you and them is experience, and you're still learning. Different day, different judge, and each judge likes different things. I've seen an owner in the ring for the first time come out of the puppy class and beat all the specials. Each time you learn more and get better. Remember: EVERY DOG HAS IT'S DAY Tomorrow may be Sky's. |
| Thank you, maybe, you never know... but I really doubt it.... I'm just trying to learn at this point.... we really need a lot of work....lol.... |
| From here on out only POSITIVE thoughts I think you're doing very well and Sky will stack herself before long. |
| Ok, positive thoughts....
This morning I am a little behind, but that's ok, I don;t want to get there too early, I would like a shorter day today. Our group is in the ring at 11:20 am today, so I'm thinking, get there at 11am, put her up on the table clean up her feet (it's muddy from all the rain) and go to ringside. LOL Maybe not quite, but close, I don't want to wait too long. As I sit here drinking my coffee (that Dancer tasted first ) Sky is in her crate for a bit so Dancer can have some time with me, without pawing at Sky in play and messing up her "do" I think both dogs will be thrilled to finally play together again when I get home today. It will probably be a madhouse as they have been kept totally separated for 5 days now.
Dancer is letting me know quite clearly that she is jealous, and not fond at all of all the attention Sky is getting. So after show day is over, both dogs will be getting a free for all romp in the muddy yard with me and a tennis ball. LOL I still don't feel very well, and can't manage to eat more than one plain peice of toast, I tried for 2 but it just wouldn't go down. LOL Maybe it's just nerves and tonight I'll be starving for anything deep fried or chocolate. Anyway.... the last day is here, I can hardly believe it. I'm so relieved. LOL I now have to contemplate the next show,about an hour and a half away at the end of May, which I have one month to decide whether or not I want to enter, or wait until June for one closer to home. The closing date is in a week.... uuughhhh.... right now I don't even want to think about it. LOL Ta ta for now! Updates later....... |
| Good luck, have fun and think positive |
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