Tips for a new to-be Sheltie handler?

[Eleore]

Hi all! First post around here after lurking for a while

I have a question for Sheltie handlers out there. After waiting since August, I'm going to bring my first Sheltie puppy home in a few weeks, so I went to the breeder today to meet him for the first time.

The problem is that the breeder told me they are quite sure my little boy is a show dog, and they will sell him to me only if I commit to showing him, although this would apply to shows in my city; I could do whatever I wanted with shows that were further.

I have only minimal experience with training (you know, very basic obedience), and this is my third dog, so I obviously have zero idea about handling (I only went to a show once to cheer for my boy's father and a sister from another litter). I told them I could try if they coached me, since I was supposed to be the handler as I cannot hire one.

While I think this could be a nice experience, and it would allow me to share something fun with my dog, I'm a bit scared. I mean, while it would be nice, I personally don't mind if he wins or looses, but I'm quite sure that I'd be the one making mistakes here and there. I work 9 hours a day, so I would only have weekends for that. Of course, I'm sure the breeder already considered that.

I'm therefore asking for your advise. Is it way too difficult to learn basic handling, meaning learning how to do it and how to teach the puppy? The breeder lives really far from me, and as far as I know there are no handling courses in my city (the shows are rather small). If they do help me, do you think it's possible?

Many thanks!

 

[tofu pup]

Hi, and welcome!

I see that you're from Argentina, which is really neat - I have no idea what dog shows are like in South America, but I understand that there are some excellent breeding programs down there. I'm really interested to hear what dog shows are like in your country.

I grew up showing in Conformation and Junior Showmanship in the US, and have been able to continue showing now that I'm older. I don't think it's too hard to learn the motions of showing a dog - it's certainly easier (in my opinion) than handling in agility or obedience. The actions are easy: have the dog stand at attention, move the dog around the ring at a trot, stand the dog up on the table so the legs match up, and move the dog down and back at a trot. You will also need to learn show grooming (although, again, I'm not familiar with the show scene in your region, so I don't know how much goes into show grooming there).

If your breeder is serious about wanting your puppy to be shown, then s/he should be very willing to help you learn (or to handle the puppy him/herself!). Again, though, it's not hard to learn, and it can be fun. Yes, you're going to make some mistakes, but judges are generally very forgiving - they'll understand that you're a novice.

Congratulations on your new puppy, and again, welcome to the Forum!

 

[Eleore]

Many thanks for your kind reply! As you probably noticed I'm not a native English speaker so I always get a bit nervous with first posts haha.

I'm quite confident (or hopeful!) that the breeders are serious, since they have been so since the begging (keeping me updated, calling me when the pregnancy was confirmed and when he was born). They also made clear that if I'm not willing to show him they will give me my money back. As for showing him themselves, the problem is that one of the breeders is actually the only handler for all their dogs. But if they can help me learn and with the grooming, your experience makes me think it might be possible. At least I could try, although I'm not sure how forgiving judges can be - I'm in my early twenties, not exactly a cute child running around .

My main fear with all this is that I wasn't prepared at all to have a show dog (first thoughts: "Oh God, what if mess up his ears? Or if I step on him!!" <-- my other dog is a very big German Shepherd so this actually a valid concern...). All I wanted was a companion, so I'm worried if we are suited for each other. I have talked this over with some friends and a couple suggested giving up on him and waiting for a new "non-show" puppy (he was an only child for some reason), but I cannot bring myself to do that. I feel that since the day I reserved him, I have been in a way responsible for him; and deserting him just when he is about to come home with me for something like this seems selfish and unfair. It's not like they are asking me to become a pro or travel abroad, so after reading your post I'm getting a bit more confident that it is doable .

...I guess I'll probably be spamming this subforum a lot hahaha

 

[Ann]

It sounds as if you're going to embark on an exciting new hobby! You may find that you absolutely love showing your little dog. As TofuPup said, I don't know anything about showing in South America either, being from the U.S., but I do know about starting out from scratch.

I am in my 60's, as far from a cute young person as you can get, and just started showing my dog in the ring for the first time last fall, and had a blast. I did have the advantage of a wonderful mentor and lots of advice (missjennygirl here on the Forum, and TofuPup) and I did take some lessons in handling. But I found that what it comes down to is practice, practice, practice.

Happily, handling is something you can practice at home, with your dog, after work or on weekends. There are a number of excellent DVDs and books (I can give you the name of some I've found helpful that can be ordered) you can buy on the subject that will help you, if you aren't close enough to your breeder to take some lessons with her. If you can, I'd suggest that you do ask for a few lessons from the breeder just to get you started.

The other wonderful resource is dog shows! If your pup is very young, you have a few months until he can be shown. Go to dog shows now whenever you get the opportunity, and watch the handlers. There's a wealth of experience there you can tap for free. Perhaps you'll even meet someone who would be willing to give you a few lessons.

Please keep us posted on your progress and let us know when your pup comes home. Good luck, and don't hesitate to ask us questions. We'll help if we can! we'd love to hear about showing in Argentina!

 

[tofu pup]

My main fear with all this is that I wasn't prepared at all to have a show dog (first thoughts: "Oh God, what if mess up his ears? Or if I step on him!!" <-- my other dog is a very big German Shepherd so this actually a valid concern...). All I wanted was a companion, so I'm worried if we are suited for each other. I have talked this over with some friends and a couple suggested giving up on him and waiting for a new "non-show" puppy (he was an only child for some reason), but I cannot bring myself to do that. I feel that since the day I reserved him, I have been in a way responsible for him; and deserting him just when he is about to come home with me for something like this seems selfish and unfair. It's not like they are asking me to become a pro or travel abroad, so after reading your post I'm getting a bit more confident that it is doable .

Oh gosh, yes, it's doable!

I'll tell you, all of our "show: dogs are pets first, and show dogs second. They get cleaned up and groomed for the weekends when they're showing, but for the majority of their lives, they're big pets. They run in the backyard, they get muddy in the woods, and they come inside to flop all over the sofa (and all over my mom and dad!) in the evenings. Think of your "show puppy" as your pet, just as you would any other pup - it's just that, on some weekends, you and your puppy go to a dog show together. Yes, you'll have to figure out the ears (your breeder can help with this, and the Forum can, too!), and you may need to take extra steps to make sure that he grows a nice show coat, but other than that... just let him be a dog.

Trust me, your "show" pup will be a great companion. I think you're definitely making the right decision to bring him home. The dog shows will be a fun hobby, and who knows... you might really enjoy it!

I can't wait to see some pictures of your new pup, and I know the rest of the Forum members will be eager to see him grow (we love puppies around here). I think you'll do a fine job.

 

[Chris]

Megan is spot on! Like Ann, I'm a "vintage" entrant to the show world; in fact, I can't start showing for a few years yet. But I'm starting Rally with Colonel Underpants this year, and I'm hoping that my "seasoning" will help me in the ring.

 

[Eleore]

Thank you so much for your support! I'm really glad I posted here. Just in case, I wanted to tell you that, after a talk with my parents, I have decided to go ahead and do it . Who knows, as Ann said, it may turn out to be a really exciting hobby! I'll also try to follow your suggestions, Ann.

By the way, since you asked here are the pictures I had most at hand. The first one is Lucien yesterday, when I met him for the first time. The second one if my current big baby (emphasis on big haha).

(is this the correct way to upload pictures? I tried attaching them like the FAQ said but I could find the button...)

 

[Lightplum]

ohh soo cute!! I agree with Ann and Tofu pup, I started not that long ago (6years) and its turned into quite and enjoyable hobby! I am still by no means a pro at grooming and enlist the help of tofu pups mom, MissJenneyGirl every chance I get Ive met some wonderful people while showing and traveled a bit as well.
I have fun showing win or lose of course winning is always nice, but at the end of the show my dogs come back home with me and are sleeping on the couch and running in the mud! All my show dogs are my pets first especially since so little of their time is spent actually showing.