jerojath

Yep. But Hey! I'm still smilin'.....

Hmmmm. Don't think that's going to happen somehow. Very disappointing for those who are keen and can't get any info.....

I did a grooming course when I was 16. I did a lot of research first and found courses by correspondence were a waste of time as were courses available at TAFE. Some "All Breeds" courses even require you to bring in dogs yourself so it is very hard to get experience in many breeds at all that way! I signed up at the "Dog Grooming School Of Victoria" in Heidelberg. The Course was run alongside a VERY busy salon so there was no limit to what dogs or breeds you have access too. I remember starting out watching, then bathing and drying, then grooming, then clipping and scissoring and so on. I think it was 3 full days a week for 12 months(??). By the end of the course I was COMPLETELY confident in all breeds grooming. I worked for a year while I got my finances in order and made certain that I still wanted to be a groomer before looking at setting up business. Eventually, it was the best move I could have made, but had I not had that confidence or such skills I would NOT have survived in business. I think once you're in a shop and paying bills, you really need to do at LEAST 9 or 10 decent jobs a day. That's a lot of dogs to do a thorough job on! It helps to have someone bathing & drying though, so you can concentrate on the grooming/clipping/scissoring and clients etc...

I really think you should do the course ( a GOOD complete course!!!!) and work in the industry for a year or two before even contemplating starting shop. Some folk who learn the trade "have IT" while some simply do not. I have seen many people 'complete' courses but could never handle operating a salon as they lack confidence, speed and real skills for quite some years. If you were to open a salon while inexperienced (and although doing a course, you WILL be inexperienced!) and were churning out second-rate work, you will develope a poor reputation VERY quickly, and it is near impossible to win back unhappy clients. Do a course, find yourself a mentor if possible, get some experience under your belt and THEN go for it!

I just had a call from an exhibitor who turned up at Harris St for training only to find she was all alone... I really think someone should post here the new time/day you are training for the sake of others. Remember... there are quite a few locals who read this thread but do not post. I know this because some of them have called me regarding the training. If your training times are not posted here, none of these folk will be able to join you!

DogCop - I'm pretty sure the A & T baths are built in QLD. Maybe yours was retailed from Hallam though???

Hey Pandii, what was with the fireworks tonight? Is it new years already??? A whole year's gone by without me noticing??? I gotta lay off the grog!!!

Pah!!!

Settle down! I'm still here Pandii!

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but aren't the Lagotto supposed to be exhibited "a la naturale"? I have witnessed exhibitors being 'told off' by judges for having groomed-out and trimmed their Lagotto

Glad you all had a good time last night Seeing as you are lokking at a new time and day, perhaps someone could PM cavalblaze???? She was keen on joining you all but the original day & time didn't suit her. Just a thought anyway......

Tenties I agree some replies have been a little heated (?) why - I don't know. I think because I suggested showing/obedience training should be seperated? It certainly wasn't a personal attack on those who would prefer to do obedience! All I know is I wouldn't turn up to an obedience class and expect them to conduct different exercises just for me as I wish to show train. To be perfectly honest, I don't WANT to be conducting show training classes - I would much rather spend the evening with my kids or running the dogs on the beach; I offered to conduct these classes as show training was being discussed here for sooooooo long and nothing was happening. So, I stepped in. Maybe, as with Geelong, WE need REAL judges conducting such classes - perhaps then they will be taken more seriously. So right now, I'm feeling I'm just going to be wasting my time on a Wednesday night and frankly, I can't justify doing that. I have had a couple of people who were concerned with the path the show training appeared to be taking, contact me regarding individual assistance and I think maybe that is the way to go, that is, people serious about learning how to show, and training their dogs accordingly rather than attend what will essentialy be a 'social gathering'. Tenties - this is certainly not directed at you, or for that matter ANY individual forum member, but perhaps you would be better conducting these classes, as you seem happier with a format which seems more widely accepted than what I had in mind. Sorry to disappoint anyone, and I hope those who were planning to attend tomorrow night read this before then. ;)

Certainly not treading on any toes here Jess, was just making it clear (as I had received some calls questioning exactly WHAT sort of training we are doing) that I don't want this to be confused with, or become an obedience session. I think having a mid-week obedience session is a terrific idea, I just don't wish for it to be incorporated into show training. I think tlc was talking about getting together for some obedience training mid-week? I think she'll have quite a few interested. I'm sure she'll chime in if that's the case.....

Thanks Monah - thought you'd be in here sooner or later! Noticed today that there is a Patterdale Terrier breeder advertising in "Feathers & Fur" Magazine.

Nah I'd just prefer that a bunch of us puts together the "SW Vic Dog Sports Club" that has everything both ANKC disciplines & NON-ANKC also.Imagine if we could choose from Obedience, Agility, Tracking, Endurance, Retrieving trials, Herding, Flyball, Lure Coursing, Dog Sledding, Canine Disc, Dock Diving, Rally-O, Doggy Dancing, Weight Pulling, Schutzhund, or all of the above? -WithEverythingIAm Sounds great - but I'm nominating you as Trial Secretary for ALL disciplines!

Absolutely!!!! Don't want to throw a spanner in the works but I really do not want any obedience training happening during show training. Anyone wishing to do obedience work is more than welcome to train in a different area of the park or at a different time. There is no way obedience can be incorporated into a show training class. Besides the stand for examination, the two are worlds apart. We can't incorporate heeling work when there will be dogs present which will be being trained to 'run out'. I really think show training should remain just that. For people who show, or plan to. Edited to add.... Harris St Reserve, 7:00pm Wednesday. ;)

Pretty sure Monah from this forum had one in the UK. Hopefully she'll pop in as she had a lovely old photo of her Patterdale. Have seen them advertised quite a bit of late....

Sounds very similar to what I heard only with 2 different breeds. But same ring :D ;) ;) Makes me wonder why I am even contemplating showing. But I did met some wonderful people over the weekend that i would like to keep in touch with so that olone will make it worth it. ;) I just cant rmember there names only there dogs breed lol. But have organised to meet them again at Noorat and maybe Ballarat this weekend if I get there. Cant believe there was only 1 ridgie there But at least I got to speak to her woner too. Gee I spoke to a lot of people now that I stop and think about it lol Janet Dog showing certainly has its place, but its not the be all and end all, nor is it for everybody. I would NEVER try to talk someone out of becoming involved, and it is a great social event for like-minded people. Just not me anymore.

RJ - No, no problems yesterday. Just Tarni being a cow but I'm used to that BUT!!! Some VERY interesting goings on with the vizsla judging today, I'm told! Can't really post about it here but lets just say it cements my opinions of dog shows!!!

Yep! That'd sort a few of them out I tell ya!

Briefly... no it has nothing to do with money. Even if all my dogs were champion show dogs I'd still have the same price tag on them. I charge what I feel the dogs are worth as companions and hunting dogs. Some people in my breed who will ONLY breed from champion stock ask a higher price than me for their pups, while others with the same standards charge less. I pray for a day at a dog show where the judge releases a few quail in the ring before making his final decisions!

I started showing 22 years ago, but after a looooong break from it, I lost the passion. I much prefer spending my time with my dogs elsewhere, like working them in the field like they were bred for. It seems, however, that amongst folk within my breed believe if you "don't show - then don't breed", as if winning a 20 cent ribbon once a week proves your dogs are 'quality' and worthy of being bred. I judge my dogs 'worthiness' on how they perform doing what the breed is supposed to do, and let my puppy buyers do the same and make their own decisions based on meeting my dogs. Temperament, health and field ability matters most to me. Unfortunately, it seems that showing is just something I 'have' to do. Certainly would rather not spend a lovely day at a dog show! ;) Edited to add... a dog show can be made bearable with the consumption of a few cans, but alas - on most occasions I have to drive!

Tarni is just a pain in the arse. She is 8 months and thinks she is God's gift to the pedigree dog world. It is mainly my fault though - I haven't put any time in preparing her for showing. I don't enjoy showing at all anymore and find it hard to get motivated to 'show train' her. I sure pay the price in the ring, though! Bub is fine. Sleeps alot of course and very quiet. Hardly hear 'boo' from her. Just the way I like 'em!

You called me JJ... are you sure we haven't met?

G'Day there Caniche I don't think we've met. Are you a local? I see your details say you're from QLD Where you showing or just having a look?