Bindii

Oh my gosh... Morgan and Toby !!!!!!!

Congrats to Morgan!! I guess that's all well and good that it's acceptable that the judge had decided already, but it would have been good for an extra bit of practice Here are those photos

Omg that's sooo cute about the poo!! I didn't even think of that, he must have heard you ask!!! So good that the judge and steward were really friendly. Awesome that he's stacking for you nicely now... it's cos he was first, he probably just need to see how the others did it hehe! Next show is on the 8th of August - 2 weeks! YAY BEC! WE DID IT - IT'S OVER!

YAY! It's done! And now i feel great! Haha... what a rush He was *such* a good boy! All that practice really paid off and he pretty much trotted around the ring happily as he does at home.... just a couple of bursts of excitement at the start, but for the most part he was just wonderful! Not to mention me... haha.. i don't *think* i did anything too stupid - falling over, going the wrong way etc, which is absoloutely what i decided would happen at my first show. So i forgot that there was also a Samoyed Club member's comp in the morning which was a really great little practice without so much pressure... Fletcher was the only Minor Puppy Dog and there was just one gorgeous Minor Puppy Bitch... He got Best Minor Puppy! Yay! But then in the actual Utility Dog Club show she beat him... So i was happy anyway, that made it even! I had a wonderful day, learnt so much, feeling much better about it all and just soo happy that this 'first time' is over and done with. I hope other newbies had great fun too!! Edit: oh and i forgot my camera cos i was concentrating on continuing to breathe in the morning (my stomach was fluttering sooo bad!) So i got Kate to take some photos for me (they own/bred Fletcher's sire) should be getting an email with them soon and i'll share asap!

Sh*tting myself. :rolleyes:

Eep three sleeps! Thanks for the tip Mandalay!

Agreed!! I have thought this the whole time! Even though i frequent this thread often, i still get a little suprised by what the title is and go show ring fag?! And then i work it out and remember how many times i've already done that

Wow! That was amazing to watch, but for a moment I thought you were attempting a marathon Fletcher is so well behaved and obedient compared to my Bella! But since you want critiques, I thought I just make a note when you did the final free stand, he was absolutely perfect.... until he took two steps forward to the front so he looked like he was leaning a bit breaking that beautiful square stack (free stand). Maybe don't mollycoddle too much XD! Thats what some keep telling me lol, I've gotta learn to be the boss, and not the other way! But I thought it was great and you didn't seem like you were a newbie from watching the videos! Thanks so much for the notes!! I see exactly what you mean! It was perfect before he stepped forward, huh? It was the birds i tell you! the birds! Went back and had a look... i think his best stand was at the start, after a bit of moving around to get him there... but you could almost see it in his confidence on his face that he knew, too, that it was right. I'm so glad that you've said this, something i'll remember.. Because when he steps foward, it really make his back look weak and totally changes his shape... but you can tell i was blissfully unaware! Mollycoddle? you mean all my kissies at the end? haha. I was proud of him! :D Someone said something to me about some dogs looking like they're just going through the motions... He's got a great big personality, i don't want him to get bored by this and lose that expression he has... I guess that was my way of reminding him it's okay to be having fun. I wont be doing that while in the ring though!! He's picked it up really quickly, he's doing really well at obedience too. I think i got a bit lucky, to be honest! Where can i see pics of Bella?!

I'm not sure he'll be this good on Sunday with all the distractions!! I'll let you know sunday night... you probably wont want him anymore! I bet Kyza's perfect at home too haha!

Haha thanks. Yeah i think he's doing well, especially considering i look like a doofus who doesn't know what they're doing

Evening everyone! How's the training going?? I took a video today to see myself looking like a newbie I run like an idiot! Critique me!! I think i lean over him too much, and i look down/at him too much so he runs behind me and not straight. Any other suggestions? Excuse the muddy paws - had just been down at the lake. I'm suprised he did as well as he did considering there's this crazy flock of cockatoos that live in the area and go crazy at this time of day, and were doing it while we were filming - they make an appearance at the end! haha. Video of Fletcher and I practicing I'm so nervous, but at the show yesterday everyone in the ring looked so relaxed! Experience showies, do you still get nervous after a few shows??

That's just what Hugo mistakes him for too! ... wow facinating stuff! I know Sammies have a lot of coat, but we pretty much just comb it, wash it blow dry it, brush it some more, baby powder it. Wait now that seems like a lot! But what i mean is that the coat is pretty much just there - i couldn't imagine having to put it in a pony tail!! I saw some with little butterfly clips in today. And I've seen the Old English Sheepdogs - it's amazing what they do! Really makes me think i've got it easy! (perhaps not as easy as you have it, Jessm!) I'd love to see photos of Toby after his bath! And at him stacking i'm sure it's not that bad! The breeders will be there yes! I think i've asked so many questions already, but i'm sure i'll think of more on the day! Hopefully we'll see Fletcher's sister again, very cute. Actually we met his Sire for the first time today! Beauuutiful! I can't wait for Fletcher to get his big grown up coat As far as my 'support crew' (lol) just got OH coming along. It's actually our 5 year anniversary (from the day we got together, not marriage of course ) so i think i've totally overshadowed it by entering Fletch into his first show! But hey i think it's an exciting way to celebrate it

Went down to KCC park to have a look today. 1 week to go! Everyone else getting nervous too?? Took these this arvo, looks so much more grown up every week!

Deter play biting hehe How old is Toby? We've been lucky with Fletcher, he's not a nibbler and never has been... i remember someone meeting him a couple of days after i got him, they shoved their hand in his mouth and he pulled away, they did it three times before he gave it a little chew "oh thank god, i thought he was a broken puppy" the person said. Haha i didn't think he was broken, i was quite pleased! We're still teething now at 5.5 months (think we've lost them all, but they're still growing - ears are up and down every day) but still no play biting! Weird! Looooves ripping up paper/toys, but that's it. Complete opposite to Hugo. He's 16 months and still will have a chew on my hand if i let him - not obsessivly like when he was a pup though. I never showed Hugo, but as far as i know there's not a lot of grooming! I think some will trim the longer 'feather' on their back legs and *very* few would trim whiskers, but i think that's about it. I know the breeder told me about 'puggie pimples' which Hugo occasionally gets - she said that they would pop them before going in the ring. As far as how they'd go in the ring, i certainly think that would depend on the pug... people say they're hard to train and they're known for being stubborn... But we do obedience with Hugo and he's really really really good, very calm, focused etc and picks up new thinks quickly. But if it's a bit wet, he will flat out refuse to drop (unless food is involved!).

We had our lesson last night and it was great!! Highly recommend Ashley Reid for those down here in Vic! He was great, I'm now feeling much better about the whole thing... I sort of thought i knew what i was doing, but i didn't Seeing him again next week before the big day just to make sure i get it in my head. I know i'm probably going to look unco for the first few shows though, simply cos i know i'll be nervous and might just forget everything i've learnt!*But* i will definitely try my hardest as his advice will certainly help. Thanks for the advice Dancinbcs - good idea to tell the steward we're new!

Hmm good point. It is like he is in control because he whinges and then i let him out. We practice calm submissive at dinner time, i place his food down and he must sit and wait, at first he stares at the food anxiously, and i dont say "eat up" until he is relaxed and looks away from the food. So perhaps i need some word that 'puts' him into this state of calm submission or that helps him recognise it....

Hugo is a wonderful dog. Very calm, relaxed, a little attached at the hip (er, heel?) but generally a very well behaved dog. Loves obedience training and is really getting good - sometimes a little stubbon with dropping in the wet grass, have only been able to over come this with bait. We used to have a bit of a separation problem - ie, hated being on the other side of a door/cage if he could see me on the other side. Seems to be much better with that lately, last few times i've had him down in the cages at work he's been fine, sleeping, no whinging. He's fine with us leaving him at home, in fact he gets into his sleeping posie on the couch before we've even shut the door. Ask neighbours all the time for updates on if they can hear barking etc. They never here anything. The only thing i really want to change that i cannot get on top of is his *screaming* as we arrive at our destination in the car. The boys love the car, and run to it when we go out the front- they know it means they're going somewhere fun! We got to a big off lead park a few times a week, and visit my parents/friends a lot too. The car trip itself is fine - always in the back seat, sleeping, sitting, look out the window a bit, normal happy dog stuff. But when the car slows down, Hugo realises we are reaching our destination... he stands at the side, looks out and *screams* and scratches as though he's trying to get out. I don't know whether it's excitement because he knows we've arrived, or whether it's stress that i'm going to leave him in there (the only time i leave them in the car is at the petrol station, and even then, once i'm out of the car he just watches me, no crying or anything) I have tried waiting up to ten minutes but it just makes it worse, he starts salivating and gets even more distressed. I've tried the cesar style "shh", pulling on the lead when he makes the noise, and even poking his neck when he makes the noise to 'snap' him back. It hasn't worked. Admittedly, i have done this myself from the front seat, it probably would be better if i go with my partner and sit in the back etc.. but that might not help because i'm there with him. i've tried letting him jump forward and sit on my lap before getting out - which confuses him more, first he tried to get out, then he realised i wasn't moving so then he went between just making noises and scratching at the door. Of course then it always ends that we get out of the car and have a great time, return home and then at arriving home the same screaming happens until i open the door. Just after any ideas or advice! I love cesar and watching how he fixes naughty dogs problems, i also love it because it just seems so obvious! I think i've done a really good job with Hugo, and have learnt a lot and have done a much better job with Fletcher - mainly just by adding a crate so he is perfectly fine being seperated from me. But this thing with Hugo i just don't know what to do with... Also because i don't want Fletcher starting, and because the screaming is really embarrasing and really bad when arriving home late!!

The word "substance"... What does it actually mean when you're saying it about a show dog? "lots of substance" "he has good substance" - i get that it's good, but looking at a dog, how can i decide whether or not he/she has "substance"?

Eeee! Morgan is so cute! I think we spoke to morgan on the advocate thing hehe.. or was it darcy? Where you super ridiculously nervous for your first show too??

:D Angelsophie- we lose our show virginity on the same day!! Fletcher and i will be hitting the ring July 26th also and i'm soooo nervous! He'll be just 2 days into Minor Puppies on the 26th. Show lesson this Thursday, which hopefully will make me feel like i have a bit of a better idea of what's going on. He's a really good boy with his show lead on when we practice at home, but we do obedience on Sunday mornings and he goes a bit silly with the distraction of the other dogs.... hopefully he gets over that soon!! Here's my boy Fletcher practicing stacking the other week: And posing after a bath last week: Would love to see other newbies doggies too Edit: SnoPaws! Come to KCC park and watch some shows! The Samoyed Club of Vic show is on Sunday 23rd of August... Also there's going to be a little Members comp on the 26th of July, no pressure easy way to start, register on the day. I was just going to do that, but got all excited and entered him in the actual show on that day too (Utility dog show) Photos, photos, photos and come see us in the Spitz Breed thread in breed sub forums (in General Discussion) if you haven't already! Edit again: got excited and didn't read your whole post, what members comp is it that you entered? Best place for grooming tips - Your breeder (who is it btw? ) Also i got a lot of info off the net, will try to find a good website for you. Best tips - comb the entire coat first, bathe.... then heavy duty blow dryer! I'm going to buy one eventually i think, but for now i use the ones on the hydrobaths at petrol station - sure you need about $40 of coins, but it certainly does the trick.

I've only had one the issue with chicken necks -It was all okay until one day Hugo wanted to finish it so quick he swallow it whole. It wasn't nice when 4 days later at 3am he vomited up a whole chicken neck on my bed. No kidding!!

Oh thanks guys That's okay! I'm new to the breed so it's still exciting Plus i was one of those poking/prodding/public people all these years, maybe it is my turn!

Is the royal melbourne show for anyone? i thought i read it was only for dogs that had won in certain catagories at earlier shows, but i'm looking at the application form and can't see anything? I'd love to have Fletcher in the show - i've gone every year to watch the dogs, it would be amazing!

I'm going to join Hotdoggy in a thanks! Also really excited, also have trouble picking the good from the 'bad' and have not a great idea of where Fletcher will fit in... All i know is that he's a really well behaved puppy and definitely the best i could have asked for to go through this learning stage with. So particularly Ellz and Havahug and all other experienced posters that have added the this FAQ section for me to read through - thanks! And Hotdoggy - Good luck and both you and Emily have fun!

Oh... Duh.. ellz already explained to me that they know where your breed fits into as far as Utility etc. Sorry! I've got another question.. What makes a good handler? Was reading in General about Mary Wild the pro handler in America who left 7 dogs in the car (rip) ... had a look at her site, so people pay her to handle their dogs? How come they don't handle them? It looks pretty simple to me - you run around a few times, get your dog to listen to you and smile heaps :D Any other tips?