Starting handling classes

And of course there are conformation classes as well as puppy entries (not every show has). Puppy goes from roughly 3-6 months and usually has a lower entry fee and pretty much more for getting dog used to being in the ring. I started taking Finnie when he was around 3 months and continued until after his first show. You really do have to train the dog (and yourself) how to run and stand and watch you. Finnie tanked both at classes and his shows because he was petrified of being put on the table. Then he went over lol phew....
 
Ann said:
As a former agility competitor who started conformation showing late in life, I agree with Megan that it can be a tough world to break into. The general perception is that all you have to do is run your dog around the ring on a leash, so what's so hard about that? :confused2:

The answer is that if the details don't get you, competing against professional handlers will. One learns quickly by watching that there are ways to handle your dog to make it look better, smoother, improve the topline, gait etc. and you need to know what you're doing to make that happen. And then there's the grooming...show grooming a Sheltie is an art form. It took me two years of following Megan's mother, missjennygirl, around to dog shows and pestering her with questions while I watched before I set foot in a ring. I don't know how anyone could break into showing without the help and guidance of a solid mentor. There's just too much to learn.

I believe the AKC tried offering classes for novice handlers a while back, but that petered out because no one entered them. You couldn't win from the novice classes. So if you want to learn to show your dog, you have to take your chances and jump in with both feet. Sometimes it works!
Click to expand...
The Sheltie breeders here are awesome as is Piper and Finnie's breeder. They tend to groom together in a group and are more than willing to help out. Makes it so less stressful!
 
Kismet and I have been going to Show training, she loves it but can't understand why she doesn't get to play with the other dogs. They have been really handy for us, although it does all tend to go pear shaped in the ring! Just wish our show career wasn't over so quickly - Kismet's teeth won't be good enough.
 
Awww that's too bad Caro! You just never know...Piper I had zero interest but as I talked to breeder my interest grew of course then his canines cane in lance so pffft...then Finnie I must've spent $250+ on grooming supplies only to have him go over (and HATE the table). I figure maybe third times the charm...lol
 
Piper's mom said:
Awww that's too bad Caro! You just never know...Piper I had zero interest but as I talked to breeder my interest grew of course then his canines cane in lance so pffft...then Finnie I must've spent $250+ on grooming supplies only to have him go over (and HATE the table). I figure maybe third times the charm...lol
Click to expand...
It would be third time for me too! Tully hated showing and was too timid at the time (that changed as she got older but then she wanted to do flyball not pramce around a ring). Kismet has a great structure but a noticeable overbite. I guess the next one, which will be a boy, but will have to wait a long time because I can only have 3 dogs.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top