Ring Tips?

[Ann]

Thanks for bringing this up Ann! It's perfect timing as I'm showing my dog for the first time in a couple weeks. I'm super nervous but I have to learn at some point, so.....off to the show I go

If there's one thing I've learned in the past few months, it's that there's no substitute for actually *being* in the show ring. Lessons and practice are great, but it's all different in the ring. And heaven forbid if you're the only person in your first class...it goes at warp speed, with no time for anything. You can't even position your dog on the table before the judge is Right There!

Just go with the flow, relax and enjoy your dog. At the end of the day, that's what counts. Oh, and the ribbon is gravy, LOL!

 

[tofu pup]

Thanks for bringing this up Ann! It's perfect timing as I'm showing my dog for the first time in a couple weeks. I'm super nervous but I have to learn at some point, so.....off to the show I go

Tami, this is great news! I hope you have a wonderful first outing with your boy.

 

[Tami]

Tami, this is great news! I hope you have a wonderful first outing with your boy.

I'm having a bit of a coronary over this! The show I'll be going to has been small..maybe 10 shelties total..for a couple years. The summer show is big but the winter show is typically rather small. I figured it was a great place to star. As I like to say, less witnesses

So I enter and they post the schedule. Um, it made a 3 point major!!! What the heck It's not huge but there is a major and 3 specials on 2 days and 4 specials the other 2 days...kill...me...now....

I know it'll be okay and I have a week to suck it up but OMG this is definitely not my idea of 'very few witnesses'! hahahaha I've been joking I'll take a paper bag with me in case I start hyperventilating! I have no idea why I'm this nervous I showed horses for years in halter and performance but for some reason this is nerve-wracking. Ok, deep breath in...deep breath out

 

[ClantyreSheltie]

I know it'll be okay and I have a week to suck it up but OMG this is definitely not my idea of 'very few witnesses'! hahahaha I've been joking I'll take a paper bag with me in case I start hyperventilating! I have no idea why I'm this nervous I showed horses for years in halter and performance but for some reason this is nerve-wracking. Ok, deep breath in...deep breath out

That happened to me at the Howard County shows over Thanksgiving. So I conned Pete Denbow into showing River. He placed in an open class of 7 or 8 the second day, so I was good with that. It turns out that I am not any *less* of a nervous wreck outside the ring, so I might as well do it myself. Pete did an awesome job, and every one of my dogs who meets him loves him, but if I'm going to be all OCD anyway, I might as well do it on the cheap.

 

[Ann]

I'm having a bit of a coronary over this! The show I'll be going to has been small..maybe 10 shelties total..for a couple years. The summer show is big but the winter show is typically rather small. I figured it was a great place to star. As I like to say, less witnesses

So I enter and they post the schedule. Um, it made a 3 point major!!! What the heck It's not huge but there is a major and 3 specials on 2 days and 4 specials the other 2 days...kill...me...now....

I know it'll be okay and I have a week to suck it up but OMG this is definitely not my idea of 'very few witnesses'! hahahaha I've been joking I'll take a paper bag with me in case I start hyperventilating! I have no idea why I'm this nervous I showed horses for years in halter and performance but for some reason this is nerve-wracking. Ok, deep breath in...deep breath out

I know what you mean, Tami. I showed horses for years too, but for some reason showing dogs is much more nerve wracking. I guess on horseback one is more concerned about falling on one's head, where in dogs you'll live but there's just more opportunity to trip and make a fool of yourself, ha ha.

Seriously, I found as a novice there are some advantages to being in a bigger class. In smaller shows, you're frequently the only one in your class and you have NO time for anything...set-up, table prep...the judge is on you like well, fleas on a dog. Plus, it's over before you blink. At least in a bigger class you have a chance to take a breath, make sure your dog looks good and enjoy the experience.

You'll do just fine. And who knows....maybe you'll win a major!!

 

[tofu pup]

At least in a bigger class you have a chance to take a breath, make sure your dog looks good and enjoy the experience.

Seconding this! Even in a class of three, you have a little time to stop and look around and relax. This is why I love showing at the National. You're in the ring with a huge entry, and you have lots of time to relax with your dog, lots of time to make sure he looks good... it's just a lot nicer than going in and around and out and done.

You're going to do great! You already know how a dog show works, and you have grooming down-pat - right there you have some big advantages!

 

[Chris]

Thanks to everyone commenting here. I'm earning so much. I'm going to start showing in 4-5 years (I know, but Tom Coen said it's not too late, and I'll have so much time to really learn!), and these discussions are so valuable. Tofu Pup will tell you, I ask million questions at a show -- Pete Denbow hates me!

 

[spjoap]

You have to look at your opponents, you need to do somethng that makes you exhibit different. Even facing the exhibit in a different direction to your opponents can work. I have seen it used a lot in the UK and the Continent with good effect.
But confidence in you exhibit carries and shows when in the ring