Showing Dog Tips?

[zoomer]

I just recently started showing a Boxer in Junior Showmanship and need all the tips I can get... can everyone give me some, please? If you know any they would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! :D

[lute]

yay! i always love seeing more people in the show ring. :D

there is a ton to know about showing dogs. learn as much as you can! i've not done Juniors, but only the breed ring.

always wear nice cloths. NO blue jeans, sweats, etc. a couple nice suits are nice.

you don't always need bait in the ring with you. some judges don't even allow bait in the ring. some dogs do ell without it, some need it to show succesfully.

don't talk to the judge unless you are talked to first! just think of judges as royalty....they kinda are in the dog show world.

watch the rutine the judge uses. they have to use the same one with every dog.

watch the pros! watch all the little tricks and movements they use.

get a mentor. a mentor can help you with all your dog show questions and you can even go to shows together. i was lucky enough to find a wonderful mentor.

buy as many dog show books as possible i recomand "Best Junior Handler" by Anne Olejniczak, "The Simple Guide To Showing Your Dog" by Richard G. Beauchamp. i know of a few more good books too. they have really helped me be succesful in the show ring.

good luck! :D

[Suki Wingy]

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I have been trying for over a year to get my parents to let me sign on, and after 5 months of looking (they finally said yes) I still haven't found one.
You might want to join wdlb.6.forumer.com there is a thread about tips you would give a new junior handler in the Jrs board.
I would reccomend taking classes or a class. I found a place that has drop-in classes for $12 an hour around me.

[zoomer]

Thanks I could really use those tips! I once talked to the judge now I know it was a big mistake :o I have that first book, almost done with it :)

Thanks Lexie! :D :D

[zoomer]

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I have been trying for over a year to get my parents to let me sign on, and after 5 months of looking (they finally said yes) I still haven't found one.
You might want to join wdlb.6.forumer.com there is a thread about tips you would give a new junior handler in the Jrs board.
I would reccomend taking classes or a class. I found a place that has drop-in classes for $12 an hour around me.

Thank you :)

[wolfsoul]

I don't find showing to be anything difficult -- I took one handling class and listened to the teacher go on about things, and oh how difficult did she ever make it sound. Visa's breeder told me to screw the classes completely, and I'm glad I listened. Handling is the easiest thing in the world. I guess it's harder for most people because they have to stack their dog, and I don't.

Just make sure you watch the judge who is going to be judging you. Often they will make everyone use the same routine, and you want to know what it is you are doing to be prepared. Practice handling the dog in public -- it is very important that you know what works for the dog. I have to be careful showing Visa. She was good in the show ring until her breeder sent her off with a professional handler last year, and she came back completely terrified of shows (we found out later that this person is abusive). If the dog is scared of the judge (like Visa), you can kneel down rather than stand. Don't worry about the dog leaning into you -- it's not a good thing, but it's not a bad thing if it makes the dog comfortable in the situation. If the dog is spooked, for whatever reason, and tries to get away, make sure you never pull back on the choke. This makes the dog feel trapped and it can turn on you or bite the judge or just have a complete freak-out and you can be disqualified. If you think the dog might get spooked, keep your hand between the choke and the dog and hold on to the choke with that hand. There are lots of other techniques to handling difficult dogs, but in general you won't have anything to worry about.

The judges are alot less "snooty" than most people think, they are people too remember, so don't feel intimidated. Judges have to do ALOT to become judges, but none of them are perfect. My friend handled a toller once and the judge asked "Why are there two goldens in the ring?" :rolleyes:

Good luck, showing is SO much fun. Sometimes I like it more than agility just because it's so much less work and preperation, and soooo much easier. You meet tons of people and have a chance to buy alot of really cool things. It's one of the best hobbies, I really enjoy it. But we all know the ribbons are the best part. ;)

[shihtzulover850]

I would love to show my dog but she isn't trained enough to show! :rolleyes: Congratulations and good luck. If I were you I would watch the dog shows on tv :rolleyes: and see how they do it! :D

[zoomer]

Thanks so much everyone! :D :D

[lute]

My friend handled a toller once and the judge asked "Why are there two goldens in the ring?" :rolleyes:


OMG! no way! that's HILLARIOUS! :D :D :D

[zoomer]

My friend handled a toller once and the judge asked "Why are there two goldens in the ring?" :rolleyes:

OMG! :eek: