Am I ready for this? Probably not
So now I need some help. Ava is going through obedience training and will be done with the advanced training by the time of the show. Also, there will be no more hair cuts between now and then so she will be flufftastic!! Anyone have any suggestions or willing to help out a newbie? Thanks! |
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| Sounds like you're on the right track.
I've no suggestions, but I'm going to pilfer your "flufftastic" terminology!   |
| floofdog - LOVE the name |
| You can go to another dog show and just watch the sheepise in the ring, I did that before my first show, I didn’t have a clue how to show and groom a sheepie for shows, I think everybody always can learn something new at a show
Good luck  |
| Look for a confirmation class in your area- they're usually sponsored by the state dog club. that should both of you get ready, so that you understand what the judge is asking for, where to go when, etc! Also having someone mentoring you at first few shows helps too... do you know anyone else going to that show? |
| Since you are already in obedience class, definitely start doing 'stand for exam' and limit sitting. Anytime anyone approaches her, have her stand for them to give her attention and only when she's still. That will help loads!
Try to find a conformation class. That will help a ton as it's hard to describe what to do and give pointers. You can start by doing some down and backs or just some gaiting and have someone videotape you. Definitely start growing coat too. Flufftastic is an awesome new word to add to the dictionary! Try not to cut anything at all until you get some good length and then you'll be able to see what needs trimmed and shaped. You can trim the belly but other than that, drop the scissors!! You don't want to do any premature cutting and then realize that you needed that! There is a link on here from Shellie about a mat breaker/stripper that a bunch of us use. Get one of those or if you have a stripper have it ready. You can strip the neck now, that won't cause you problems later. Keep up on the brushing and practice your gaiting, stacking and exams for now. When we get a little closer there's a bunch of us that can give you some pointers on trimming. Also, it's like crack. You can get addicted very quickly! |
| I have no advice to offer that hasn't already been offered.
I am sure you will do fine though |
| Listen to Mandy, she knows what she's talking about.
Remember how she & Deb worked on Boo . .. . 
You can't even tell he has a tiny little head! |
| Best wishes you will be fine, is the breeder going to be there to help?
If so that is the way to start under the guidence of someone that can help you both to learn. Yes start teaching your baby stand for examination, while you do that get friends or family to run there hands over the dogs body, that gets them use to another person touching them while standing still. Anns' suggestion too is a very positive one also, go to a show if possible before you have your first one and see what goes on in the ring. We all have to start somewhere and it is a learning process but I am sure you and ava will enjoy it together.
Most importantly have fun doing it, we all make mistakes sometimes I could tell you a few hillarious stories & stuff ups of when I first started showing, but I'll let you discover that as you progress along. |
| Obedience trained your dog will already know how to stand for inspection but it's the sit exercise you will have to concentrate on Train your dog not to sit every time you stop, if you can. lolol but don't worry too much if he does.
At our Club champ show last year I showed Brogan in the neutered class and I was very proud of him. He was such a good boy. After doing a circle around the ring we got back to where the judge was and of course Brogan sat when we stopped - but hey, that was what he has been trained to do. All I did was take one step forward and say to him, 'stand'. and he did. I was also thrilled at the way he moved with me - again that was from his obedience training. I don't think you will have too much to worry about. Just have a good time and enjoy yourself. It's all fun. |
| "There is a link on here from Shellie about a mat breaker/stripper that a bunch of us use. Get one of those or if you have a stripper have it ready."
I can't seem to find the link from Shellie with a description of the mat breaker/stripper. Can someone help me out? Thanks. |
| Thanks everyone for all the advice and helpful hints!!!! Ava graduated last night from her beginning obedience and she starts the advanced on July 18th. We played some games at the end last night and she won 1, came in 2nd in two of them (one was an agility drill so I was pretty pleased) and came in 4th in one other game - but there were 15 dogs, so it still wasn't too bad. |
| Well done. Keep up the good work. That is fantastic. You will soon get her through. |
wjsVT wrote: I can't seem to find the link from Shellie with a description of the mat breaker/stripper. Can someone help me out? I can't find it either 
EDIT: Unless maxmm is referring to these? Mars Coat King Stripper 6 Blade Coarse Mars Coat King Stripper 10 Blade Medium Mars Coat King Stripper 12 Blade Fine Mars Coat King Stripper 16 Blade X-Fine Mars Coat King Stripper 20 Blade X-Fine |
| Nope, not the one. Those rakes do work but I find them a little hard to use and it's very easy to make a slight slip and leave a big hole.
Here's Shellie's post http://forum.oes.org/viewtopic.php?p=93711#93711 and a direct link to the dematter that a bunch of us use for stripping coat http://www.petedge.com/shopping/product ... uctID=1730 Ron, this link is to PetEdge, I don't know if it's available elsewhere where the forum would get a cut? I got mine at a show so I'm no shopping help. |
| Yes, but not at that good of a price!
MatBreaker Dematting tool Matbreaker Dematting Tool Replacement Blades Do you remember how much you paid at the show? |
| I got mine for about $13. I think it was from JB pet. |
Ron wrote: wjsVT wrote: I can't seem to find the link from Shellie with a description of the mat breaker/stripper. Can someone help me out? I can't find it either Thanks Ron and Maxmm! |
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