LizT

Hmmm, I'll start practicing that, never seen a table breed done anyway except 'placed and positioned' and then free baited or have I? I'll have to look more closely and carefully. Ta

Given the choice, I'd pick a 25 point challenge certificate over positive feedback. I know my dogs' good points and bad points already. I know my own foibles and strong points as well. The point I am trying to make is that what is rewarding to me may not be rewarding to someone else, and vice versa. If ribbons and certificates are all it takes to keep people coming back and entering shows I'll buy them and write them even if I don't give a fat rodents rear myself. Edited for grammar Well if we're choosing.......who wouldn't choose the 25 point Challenge, that's the stuff my dreams are made of!!

Is that Postive Feedback from the Judge??? That would be great but seems to be a rare thing, Iguess they are too busy to say much at the time, and perhaps it's not the done thing? Although I've been bouyed by encouraging comments from Judges such as "promising puppy", "what a lovely line up of beautiful bitches I have here today" and "nice job". But I think comments are rare, apart from a few 'niceities'. I do get alot of postive feedback (and constructive critism) from my fellow competitors which I value greatly. And it's not about the 10c ribbon or a piece of carboard, when I started this post I was very thrilled and happy to have been chosen for a RC, it was my first, and as the days have gone by my initial euphoria has wained somewhat. Some of your comments have made me feel that perhaps it really is no big deal. But it did give me some encouragement for a short while there to keep trying when at times I've felt like giving up, not because I don't think my dog is up to it, I know she is, her biggest handicap is me, but I've been trying hard and learning alot and felt that it was finally starting to come together.

Not if you doing it correctly. Yesi have told people to tone it down especially those who feel the need to yell at there dogs . As for squeakies yes i use those too & when appropriate BUT my dogs are a also trained to not react to other people or if i do i deal with it. What people forget is over using any tool(voice,squeakie,food) can become a turn off for many dogs & when you want that special moment it doesnt happen. Yes, I can see that 'overuse' of anything could make an animal "dead to it". And that training your dog to ignore other peoples noises makes sense, but it's usually in the puppy ring that toys and squeekers are mostly used and it's a lot to expect of a puppy to learn that lesson so quickly. Especially dogs with a strong hunting instincts as these high pitched noises replicates 'prey' apparently.

Bit tricky walking a table breed into it's front though! Maybe a catwalk!!! (okay a dogwalk then! )

Well for that matter "What's the point of having Reserve Challenge?" How many Challenges are ever disqualified? You'd have to do something pretty stupid to get disqualified like lie about which dog you have there or something like that. And.....if you want to take it further what's the point of a third place.......

Damn sticky keyboard!

Oooops!

Intersting CC, I also asked the secretary in question amd she told me in no unceetain terms she did not have any. I fogot to get you one on Monday, but will still acquire. I wonder if she'd been asked a few times?? Maybe I can get a blank from Dogs Victoria??

What I find distracts other dogs is when people use "high pitch sounds", squeeky toys and 'rats' while in a line up! C'mon people there is another dog standing right next to you, why are you making noises and throwing soft toys about??

Maybe I should write and ask really nicely and enclose a large stamped self addressed envelope? ;)

I would have gladly paid considerably more although I believe my entry must have covered any cost. I recall a Show where Exhibit Numbers were recycled cut up Challenge Certificates (written out so possibly unclaimed??)

Yes, that would have been nice. I recall collecting a first place ribbon from a ringside Steward one day and the darling elderly lady who was filling out Challenge Certificates and had the bag of ribbons under her table, reached down, pulled out a blue one for me, and stated in the most georgous way...."Oh, dear, look what they give you these days....you can't even tie up the tomatoes with one of these!"

well done Liz I agree i got my first ever res challenge on friday and runner-up best of breed i was so excited and i have nothing at all to show for it . I have only been showing in the dog world for a few months. I have also shown horses for many years myself and my daughter and we get something for res at all times ,i also understand that not all people like to take home ribbons but for myself i would of loved to have something in my hand to say i finally got somewhere a certificate would of been great. Well done again you sound like you were as excited as myself. Thanks and congrats to you too!

Must admit I'm surprised that the dog seemed to be so intent on "going" the offenders once apprehended. It was obvious the handler couldn't do anything but hold the dog. Don't they train an "offswitch" into them? I thought there was a 'Hold" command tht could be given so that the handler could render assistant or have his hands freed up if necessary. Perhaps that is a higher level of training that he hasn't attained yet?

Same, her handler was also worried she would run out into traffic and clearly had trouble keeping up with her. The dog was relatively obedient and came back to her ..but..dogs are dogs and a scent is a scent....clearly if that was her concern she should have kept her on lead, like Rileys handler, wasn't he cute....and the dog too.

It really does depend on the animals involved. We had a desexed male GSD and added a female Border Collie X Heeler puppy to the equation without any problems. However when we added a GSD male puppy to the mix when she was 10 and the older GSD was 14 she was actually quite aggressive to the puppy and he couldn't be left unsupervised with her. The old male GSD looked out for him and protected him from her and it was only when he passed away when the puppy was 7 months old that she warmed to the youngster, I think they became united in their (and our) sorrow. We knew we couldn't get the Cavalier bitch my youngest daughter badly wanted UNTIL the Border X Heeler bitch had passed away at age 12. We now have two entire Cavalier bitches that get on brilliantly, but from my experience most Cavs seem to get on very well with other dogs often making a deadly mistake of thinking ALL other dogs are friendly. The younger GSD, who is now 4 1/2 gets on very well with the"girls", he is desexed but I also don't leave them unsupervised as I don't fully trust him as he has been aggressive on occassion to visitors dogs and was downright ferocious to an intruder dog on our property.

I think dog owners are often shocked at the ignorance of non dog owning cultures and people with little or no understanding of them. They are not stupid they literally "Have no idea".

My younger Cav sat of my lap and watched for a bit but fell asleep, she seemed quite intent for about fifteen minutes. Kids...no attention span.

Was that a purebred Cocker Spaniel?? He was very cute and clever. All the dogs were lovely. What type of Belgian Shepherd was Kelly? Missed the name but it wasn't one of the two breeds I know. Began with 'M' I think? And as a follow up.....Last night trouble makers (gate crasher) outside a nightclub in Springvale were bitten by police dogs as they were breaking up a brawl. Three police dog units were called in. Bring in the dogs.

I cry when Pood owners bring their dog in for grooming and say " don;t make it look like a Poodle " FFT is the only way to go Shite but I'd be tempted to return the dog looking like this: Or this: OMG! That's just wrong! But talented none the less.

Amazing what can go wrong with misunderstanding and confusion! Couple enters the bar... One is blind and has a guide dog.....we would like to bring our guide dog (misheard now as gay dog) into your restaurant.......no sir you cannot bring your gay dog, or ordinary dog of ANY sexual preferences into our restaurant...our restaurant only allow guide dogs ( of whichever sexual persuasion they are.) Aren't ALL guide dogs desexed anyway???? What dills, surely the guide dog was in harness and easily recognisable as such anyway!

Yes, it does mean alot to those that don't win all the time. Many breeds are dominated by top exhibitors and breeders so a win means a great deal to us "lesser exhibitors". It cetainly doesn't hurt to have a few ribbons or certificates on hand for the "odd" person like myself. Often (not always) when I go to the office to ask on my own it looks like I've asked for a blood donation. Thankfully, when a child is standing next to me there is a warmer response.

AH BB your always looking after me! Have images of BB ploughing through boxes, bags, cupboards, tins......so that's were I put that..... :D Thanks BB, as you are aware I have walked into a breed that is very competative and dominated by many top exhibitors and breeders so, even though it's no big deal, my first RC is a big deal to me! Might be the best I ever do??

If they are inexperienced with dogs some of the smaller, more sedate breeds might be more suitable than the more active larger types, unless they are willing to put in the effort a young dog needs.