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?"

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.