hotdoggy

I will also be hitting the ring for the first time soon - will be at the Harden show this month - very nervous - had dreams last night that I turned up all wrong, just expecting to show my dog and had forgotton to wear fancy dress, also dreamed there was a show with men only leading their dogs and they had to do it in their underwear (not a pretty sight). My 11yr old daughter (Emily) is also going to show for the first time as a junior handler, our breeder doesn't show but we have had a lot of help from people in here (thankyou) and from going to show lessons. I've also just learned there are individual clubs such as utility dog club (we have a shy mini schnauzer boy called Schroeder) and junior handler clubs. I'm just getting back from a trip from brisbane but will be checking those out. Sometimes I think there should be a mixed newbie show, I worry about getting in the way of the people who know what they're doing.

Hi Anita, I would have been in Bungendore but have to head up to Brissie for my dad's 60th. My breeder is a fair way away but they are not show people, they go more for agility (and I think some other activities), I did get some advice on using a tool that shortens the coat but doesn't stip it completely. I know in future I should get a show dog (and I will want a couple more once I get the hang of this) from a show family, but being new to it all of course not many exhibitors want to sell their pup on main to an unknown (fair enough). My breeders said they would set me up with a mentor that lives not too far away from me that is a retired Mini Schnauzer exhibitor but I think that fizzled out. I won't expect others to give up their time to train me, but if there are any experienced groomers for this breed that would like to charge for training sessions, I would certainly be interested. I know my boy will be a bit odd looking and I am just entering (yet to be in one) the quieter shows and country shows for now. Which is doubley bonus because my daughter and I are excited about visiting these country towns on our little doggy adventures. I'll make lots more mistakes, but I am really enjoying the process of the grooming and training and hope I enjoy running around the ring with my motly dog. Cheers x

Thanks Becks, you have been extremely helpful. The photos are great as they are really clear and show the lines i should take. I also hadn't realised that the skirt is so short. I am really motivated to get back to the dog now With his head, I stripped the part bettween the eyebrows right back to bald, as shown in that brittmore site you recommended. The rest I used the blue coarser blade to take it back without goig bald. I clip the cheeks and ears and throat (and bum and groin). I will try and fix him up today and wash him and will take some pics to post of my probably embarrassing results. And yes, good guess it is Mikki, I have the red and blue and picked up another red at the local show last week as a back up. I love these blades as the wooden handled mars one gives me a blister and doesn't pull much out (although that might be a good thing considering my gaps). I will try using the blue handled one for now. I really appreciate the time you have taken to pas on your expertise. Cheers

Thanks so much settrlvr, that was really helpful. I have stripped right back and he was almost bald, did it in sections, he is definately not in coat, at the moment he has extremely short hair but a few little stripes where I've obviously gone a little harder. The good part is I do feel the hair coming back much more coarse than before. I've never shown him before and have got some white chalk, which I saw used on the legs in the video. And I have dog hairspray, but haven't used it yet and would be happy to buy whatever products work best. I have had a small grooming business (for pets not shows) before I moved to Yass so I have hydrobath and pet dryer table brushes etc. I did see some instructions on rolling the coat and when I initially tried that I found I had no technique at all and couldnt get the hair out. There's a Schnauzer forum?! Thanks I will get right in there! Sorry about the facebook, I didn't realize. I think I'll photobucket some pics and put links. I realize Schroeder will probably look pretty rubish at the first few shows we do, but at least then I can get some tips in person. I'll also ask in the schnauzer forum if there are any schnauzer events coming up. Cheers and thank you so much.

Thanks Oakway, I would LOVE to go to a professional, does anyone know of any groomers that do stripped show dogs that would offer training (at a fee)? I've done grooming courses before, but haven't found anything that goes into preparing show dogs? I am in Yass not too far from Canberra or Goulburn, if anyone knows of any trainers in stripping dogs properly I'd really appreciate it. As for going right back now, can I just roll the coat until the other bits catch up? At the end of the day Schroeder is the dog we are learning with, so it's all a good experience Cheers

I am grooming my 16mth old boy for show and am finding it more difficult than I first thought (yes I do always look at skilled tasks and say "how hard could it be?" then I find out how hard). I have been working off the website http://britmorschnauzers.com/handstrip.html for stripping him - I don't have a mentor to direct me, but I do take advice from people at shows (he usually looks so bad I think some of the exhibitors feel sorry for me). I've also watched this youtube clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U1tUxOhViY and it seems great. The biggest problem I have is that 1. He looks like he has mange - these gaps will fill out right? right? 2. I can't get the legs as fru fru and fluffy as I've seen, could it be I haven't cut his legs short enough yet? and generally speaking do you have any absolutely favourite products or tools that you think are the only way to go? I have a cheaper stripping knife with a red rubber grip and the blade is curved which I find easier to use than the more expensive Mars product, but am I fooling myself, maybe I'm damaging the coat? Also in the youtube clip I saw that the groomer conditioned the beard - is it ok for the beard to be softened - could you use something like minkoil? Schroeders beard does stick out a lot. OK I'm asking a lot and I realise it will come down to practice, but any tips or referals greatly appreciated xxx PS tried to get pic in but could get it to load, have pics on facebook page (hotdoggy)

Don't know anything about giving honey to dogs, but we all have a cold and sore throats in my house and I give my kids the Manuka honey (there are a few brands of it in the supermarket) it's supposed to be the best for antibactirial, so helps with sore and infected throats. It's also good to put on any wounds to prevent infection, but I suppose only if you cover them or the dog would lick it off.

I'm in with another question - All Breed Championship Shows Are these only for dogs that are champions? how do they differ from normal breed shows? Thanks guys xxx

Hi, I'm looking for a blade sharpening service, I am in Yass so anywhere from there, Murrumbateman or Canberra. I found a link on here to a place I can post my blades off too, but I am so hopeless at remembering to post stuff so I thought I would see if there is somewhere I can just drop them off. I have a habit of just buying new blades when mine go blunt out of laziness.

I opened my Dogs New South Wales Gazette to the end, and what do you know - there it is! And yet I poured through them before to see if they could tell me where to get the order forms - I hope my dog will find his way around the ring, because he won't want to follow my lead! Thanks Aziah, I am going to try using the computer generated forms, because I think they're pretty cool and it keeps all the info you need in your database. Thanks again xxx

Meant to say thanks for that too Bear - I have been going to those training nights (except when rained out) a couple of times and we are learning a lot! I don't think I could do this at all if it wasn't for the volunteers who give up their time to help train newbies.

Thanks Bear, I get all hyped up - I sent in two entries along with a note explaining that one was for the Junior Handler and I got a call back explaining what you have outlined - that you do not enter the dog in the Junior Handler show but if the dog is entered in another show that day, a Junior Handler can use it to enter the Junior Handler Class (without any forms needed to be filled in or lodged). Just so I don't spread my own confusion, Newbies should note that that is not the same if it is a Junior Handler Show - then you would need to enter. I also noticed after lots of questions about filling in the form - once I had completed my form I turned it over and was ashamed to see the instructions on the back - oh yes, I have great observation skills. I just have one more question (sure) - how do I get new entries from DogsNSW? I know there is the Ozentries for the main shows, but a lot of country shows don't use those, and I did get the link for the database that allows you to print your own show entries - this looks fantastic, but is it allowed for NSW? It's just that I saw somewhere on their site or maybe on my entry form that entries had to be originals and no photocopies accepted? Or is this old - as I could not find any link on DogsNSW for purchasing entry forms? Thanks all - and first timers - I would love to hear how you go in your show

Thanks Bindii! And a big good luck to you and Fletcher too! I'm sure the hardest part will be the organisation and form filling (but don't get me started on having to hand strip a dog for the first time! My next breed will be one you just wipe down with an old rag)

Just wanted to say thank you so much to everyone who has helped me through this initial form filling stage. I am really looking forward to showing now, I only started because my daughter (Emily) wanted to do it, but now I'm feeling keen. I'm not a competitive person and personally can't pick between any of the dogs I see at the shows, they all look fantastic. I am also realistic that my little boy does not come from a long line of champions, but he will be good for us to learn on, I'm certainly learning how hard hand stripping a Mini Schnauzer is! I'm not sure how people who show lots of them do it. Still can't see how on the entry form for an all breeds show, that the receiver will see that we are entering into the Junior Handler competition held at lunchtime, but I think I will send it off with an attached note explaining what we are doing (entering the utility session and the Junior Handler session). Thanks again to everyone here, I really appreciate your help - I see a great business opportunity for someone experienced to hire them selves out as a show handler's trainer! Thanks all xxx

Thanks Megz, I'll fix that, was in queensland a year ago when we started looking for a pup. Now in NSW (Yass) and close to ACT, I am just filling in a dogsnsw entry form now for a Harden show. Yet another question - when puting in for a junior handler, do you fill out the same entry form as if you are filling it out for the dog? There doesn't seem to be anything on the slip about the handler? And if my dog is 15mths and has never been shown, should I enter it as Junior or Novice? I'm a little unsure of these sections: Entered in Breed Class Nos. ________ - Is this where I put utility? Entered in Special Class No. __________ Entered in Trial Class Type ________ Ozentries was a bit easier. Big thanks to anyone that can help with this. XXX

Thanks for clarifying poodlefan, I can see the point and have suggested to the two that My husband trains at the club and Matilda watches and then trains at home. The dog she will work with is more her dog (we have three dogs but those two just seem to belong to eachother) and will do anything Matilda asks. Matilda is just looking for an activity that she can take part in, this afternoon she had a practice on the poles I set up (I tried making a ramp but it was a bit dodgy, so I'll see if I can find some agility equipt to buy online), then she practices showing (even though we won't be showing Zoe). Once the dog is trained at basic obedience and agility, then I would like to see Matilda able to join in as she wants to do something active with her dog. Cheers And Matilda did love the set up - even though there's really only the poles operational at this stage and apparently I am 'the best mum in the world' (I did wonder)

Thanks for that, Today I am actually making a make shift obstacle course in a yard we have up the back, Matilda will wet herself when she gets home. Having two young girls I am not even going to comment on the room situation, but know I feel your pain. I've decided if the clubs near here won't let her train the dog with them, she can still watch her dad train (he's not that keen but he'll get over it) and practice at home. I think they would let her after a while if she proves herself - it's probably got more to do with insurance coverage. When we used to live in Wynnum Brisbane, we had a wonderful local dog park that had all the agility training equipment, we were a bit spoilt. Still, we have space here, so if I build it... the dog will come (hopefully). Cheers

Thanks Megz, I have now entered into our first show (thanks to your message clearing up my muddled mind), seeing as it is close, I figured I would do both the sat and sun, more practice the better. I don't mind the idea of joining the relevant kennel clubs that are hosting but wasn't sure how, but seeing as it is not necessary, then I can always just find out on the day how to join. I mostly got into this because my 11yr old wants to do Junior Handling (she is training at Canberra). My next question now is does Emily have to have her own membership to participate in the Junior Handling comps and with shows like the Junior Kennel Club, are they normal shows, where you enter your dog by breed or group, but they are just all handled by Juniors? Thanks so much

Vickie, I just watched that clip - how adorable! I can't wait to show Matilda when she gets home. The juniors will have to all get together online and share their clips, I'm sure they'd love that. Thanks for the advice I will hunt around to find a club that will let her train, I figure if she does some tag training with my husband (that lets me work on the showing with my other daughter) then they might not mind, or maybe if my husband puts the dog through obedience with them first they may allow Matilda to step in later. All else failing, we have a big enough yard up the back to set up a small training field for her! I'm sure she will do well, she loves the dog (and its returned) and is very assertive and calm when training. Just to clarify my state, I am in country NSW (Yass) not far from the border of ACT, so can easily travel into Canberra, or out to Golbourn etc. Cheers Charmaine

Bek when one of my dogs was doing puppy training, the vet suggested spraying Citronella Oil (watered down in a spray bottle) all over the house on the carpets, mats (matress) etc, apparently dogs really don't like this and won't wee on it. I did try it, but don't be daft like me and buy citronella oil from the supermarket in the bbq section because it is of course kerosene for lamps - I'm just lucky I didn't have any smokers in my house. You can buy it in a bottle from some pharmacies. Citronella is also not citrus oil as my husband thought. Maybe have a lead handy and have the kids drag her out often, some little dogs don't like to go outside because they also feel a bit defensless out there. But I completely see your hubby's point and if she didn't fix the problem she would become an outdoor dog at my place.

I have a newbie question. I was looking at entering an upcoming show for a ladies kennel club (do you actually have to join the ladies kennel club? I am a member of actca and dogsnsw) and on one show spread over a saturday and sunday, I noticed that the categories are: Saturday: 6/12mths Sweepstakes, Working Dogs Terriers & Non-Sporting 3/6 Sweepstakes, Toys & Hounds Utility & Gundogs & General Specials Sunday: Toys & Hounds 6/12 Sweepstakes, Utility and Gundogs 3/6 Sweepstakes, Terriers & Non-Sporting Working Dogs & General Specials I have a 15mth old Mini Schnauzer Dog that has never been shown before (stripping him now, is main registered etc) - does this mean that I could enter either saturday utility or sunday utility or both? Is there a best place to start for the novice? I thought we would attend country shows rather than any in Sydney (we are country NSW near Canberra) to start with as I am sure we will need to learn a lot before being very competitive. Same question for Junior Handlers, if it is on both days do you just pick the most convenient? Can they do both days? Thanks if you can help

Hi, I have two daughters - 11 & 8, both very much doggy people. My 11 yr old is learning Junior Handling with our Mini Schnauzer at the moment, but my 8 yr old wants to do obedience or agility or something more active with our Border Collie (who is aobut 2yrs old). They have a close bond and she teaches her tricks in the back yard, but she wants to find something she can compete in. Is Junior Handling for Showing the only activity for juniors? I did see that Obedience Clubs usually say that a child must be 12 to handle the dog, is it the same for agility? What about Dancing? Our BC is not for show, and she really wants to do something with her. We are in Yass NSW close enough to Canberra to attend anything suggested. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.