Hitting The Ring For The First Time

[angelsophie]

AS and Toby will go fantastically. I have to say it cna be frustrating with newbies who dont listen but so far AS has listened and is absorbing everything. I remember when she was just getting a pet :D Toby is just beautiful and groomed fantastically. With a face like that he has to be an

I remember a time when I wanted a pet too dont quite remember how I got myself into this caper....lol as for absorbing it all and for grooming. I have so much to learn but I have been absolutely amazed at how helpful everyone has been and how supportive and positive, especially those like yourself in the Hav thread. People all tell me I am mad and how no one will want a novice there and how bad the dog world is but I have found these comments some from outside the show world, and the the people I have met have been awesome and so welcoming. Even the dog supplies company I am getting some brushes off were chatty and interested

Ohh and the angel comment......well you have one...........looks like an angel....sleeps like an angel......but NOPE no angel, my siggy needs changing to wonderbrat!!

I am so glad I am not the only newbie hitting the ring.....I will post how we go....I hope you guys do too

[Bindii]

: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

Good luck Angelsophie

I have my first show, ok members comp, cos I am too much of a wuss to actually enter a show on Thursday night.

I did the same thing and went and got a white coated Samoyed as my first show dog and he isn't quite a puppy anymore so I can only blame his bad behaviour on myself. My breeder is great but the only time she is ever free I am at work and vice versa.

If anyone in the Melbourne area can recommend some good shows for a newbie to enter as well as the best place to get grooming tips that would be ace.

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.

Edited July 14, 2009 by Bindii

[poocow]

Best of luck Bindii! The 26th is our 2nd show!

Don't have a stacked pic, but here is Morgan:

[Bindii]

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??

[poocow]

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??

Darcy is on there, not Morgie.

Yeah I was - but she was the only Field entered!

[angelsophie]

if you make it to hillsborough i might have to try and get a morgan pat those eyes

This is my boy, I dont have a stacked pic......still learning that art :D

ear is inside out to busy playing with the skin kids

thats my boy

[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.

[Mandalay]

;)

Good Luck all you Newbies, hope all goes well for you all....

Have fun, remember you bring home the best dog no matter what happens..

[experiencedfun]

I cant wait to see how you all go......we will be cheering for you

[poocow]

I think the only things Morgan will win will be by default as she is the only Field usually

[angelsophie]

I think the only things Morgan will win will be by default as she is the only Field usually

that just makes you smarter than us Does it count as a brag if you win baby puppy of breed and youre the only one entered

Once we hit the bigtime (6months) we will be showing against some very experienced handlers, breeders and dogs. We're in it for the fun of it. We *might* be the only baby on the first day though fingers crossed. I worry too about annoying those with experience. I want a novice go too ;) There are 2 boys in my breed Doc and Zac who are just stunning and the first I met of the breed! But their owners are sooooo nice that win lose or draw it will be nice to catch up with them.

We have our local block who see us training out the front or walking loose lead who are all cheering us on asking about his first show ;) Will be nice to give them some good news

Bec

[Jessm]

So went to our first training tonight, wasn't as scary as I expected..I think maybe I was expecting trolls?! lol (oh, no offence to showies, i'm just a really nervous/anxious person!)

Leo is such a darling, he is vv people orientated (which is such a good thing) but everytime she'd come to feel him while we were trying to get him to stand he would go all wobbly and ask for kisses, or, in his case, demand them

It wasn't the usual lady (though being my first time i've never met the usual) but she was lovely (can't remember her name for the life of me) but she shows newfs, and said she will be at morissette on the 26th if I go check it out to go say hello and she will show me a few more of the ropes!

We were only there half hour, before he was plonking on the ground all tuckered out haha. It's good that it's not full on for him though, it's really just teaching me what to do and then teach me to be able to teach him, which is just what I wanted.

And it was great to hear that she thinks he is great, especially from someone who actually knows what they're talking about

Such a long post with really no substance, i'm sorry!

Here is a pic of him:

(ok, me trying to get him to stand, but it was hard trying to take the picture myself, while trying to get him to stand, so it is a tad crooked/blurry lol)

..And a second one ..just because!

He is 13 weeks tomorrow

[angelsophie]

VERY CUTE!!

Well see you at morriset then Am so getting nervous now....its getting too close now.......

Glad to hear training went well. I will admit I was a little the same and wasa little late to our class. I was nervous and stood back and watched till the others told me not to be silly and jump in line Funny no one had two heads at our class either.

I feel a bit nervous in this kind of siutation and that coupled with what I had been told about showies (all untrue from my experience thus far - and all negatives told by non showies) I was expecting to feel very much like an intruder.

bec

Edited July 15, 2009 by angelsophie

[Jessm]

VERY CUTE!!

Well see you at morriset then Am so getting nervous now....its getting too close now.......

Glad to hear training went well. I will admit I was a little the same and wasa little late to our class. I was nervous and stood back and watched till the others told me not to be silly and jump in line Funny no one had two heads at our class either.

I feel a bit nervous in this kind of siutation and that coupled with what I had been told about showies (all untrue from my experience thus far - and all negatives told by non showies) I was expecting to feel very much like an intruder.

bec

Oh, you will be fine! Yeh, I should probably make it, so I will look out for you! (if I don't come and say hi it's just because I chickened out haha, but will def be cheering you on!)...What is the address for the grounds there? (need it for the gps as i'm useless with directions!)

I was first there! So sat and I thought "maybe i'm at the wrong place?!" lol. The class was quiet small, which was good for a first time, only about 4 people, I think because the usual trainer wasn't going to be there.. They all made me feel welcomed though. Were lovely. Commented on how lovely he was and such a good boy which made me feel good too haha.

[dancinbcs]

Good luck to those starting out in the world of dog shows. Just remember that you are competing for a satin ribbon not a million dollars and if it all goes wrong on the day there will always be another dog show.

Just a few tips to make things easier.

Tell the steward you are new and wait near the entrance to the ring and check with the steward when you are finished before leaving the ring area after you are judged. You may be needed in the ring again for a challenge line up or run-offs.

Watch the earlier classes to work out where the judge is moving the dogs.

In the ring do not ever run your dog into the back of, or on the inside of the dog in front. Always leave a gap of about a metre.

If you think that you will be moving slower than other exhibitors run a slightly smaller circle to allow others to overtake on your outside.

Lastly, take a big breath and smile as you enter the ring. It will help to relax you.

For those in Sydney, DogsNSW hold puppy training classes for newbies as listed below:

Classes are held every Second and Fourth Tuesday of every month

WEATHER: Please call (02) 9825 9280 by 7.00pm if the weather is questionable.

SUBJECTS COVERED:

Reading a Schedule

Filing out Entry Forms

Help with Socialising (puppy/adult)

Simple Lead Training

Ring Procedure

(Information about further help available through established clubs)

FEE: $5.00 per session (to cover expenses)

ENQUIRIES: Miss A Huggins, 02 9825 9280, Email [email protected]

or the Dogs NSW Office Ph: (02) 9834 3022 Email: [email protected]

MINIMUM AGE: 3 MTHS

PROOF OF VACCINATION MUST BE PROVIDED

ALL INTERESTED DOG OWNERS WELCOME

[angelsophie]

good advice will keep it in my head going round the ring

How is everyones prep going?

[Bindii]

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!

[poocow]

I learn more every time I go to training. Morgan even chucked a hissy fit for Luci and showed exactly what she did for me in Group the other week

She free stands really nicely just won't stack and hold it for long.

[SwaY]

Good Luck everyone!!

1 last tip - make sure you go the toilet a few breeds prior to going in, as you will want to go when you have no time

[Nevafollo]

Just though if anyone else is hitting the ring for the first time they may want to pop in here???

Maybe we can share our experiences, stuff ups ect lol.....a bit like a newbie support group :D

So I am Bec, about to hit the ring on the 26th for the first time. I am showing a Havanese. I am nuts....he a coated predominantly white dog :D Never been around showing dogs and my breeder is in a different state. She is however very supportive and I have a great lady willing to hold my hand for my first show even though she has her hands full herself (Thanks JO!!!)

Bec

Which show Bec - Morisset?

She should come to Rylstone, thats where all the cool kids are going

so true

Just though if anyone else is hitting the ring for the first time they may want to pop in here???

Maybe we can share our experiences, stuff ups ect lol.....a bit like a newbie support group

So I am Bec, about to hit the ring on the 26th for the first time. I am showing a Havanese. I am nuts....he a coated predominantly white dog Never been around showing dogs and my breeder is in a different state. She is however very supportive and I have a great lady willing to hold my hand for my first show even though she has her hands full herself (Thanks JO!!!)

Bec

Which show Bec - Morisset?

Yep I'll be the one in grp 1 that everyone is pointing and laughing at! Oh......except maybe the judge..........

LOL I'm usually the one in group 1 being laughed at hehe me and my feral bush pig of a pug!

Bit bummed I'm missing that morisset one actually but I had already entered rylstone.

Good news is there are a heap of morisset and hillsbrough shows coming up in september so I'm sure I'll get to meet some of these new puppies there, I really want to meet Toby I'm starting to develope a thing for the hav's! ;)

Oh an I'm not techincally a newbie but I am a newbie to showing the Gundog ring with the pointee, mum and her breeder showed her in her first show as I had a few puggy commitments but I will be handling her as much as possible at the rylstone show..

This is the newbie, Kite