1st Conformation Show Questions

[ruthcatrin]

So, Apollo's and my first show ever (other than as a spectator) is coming up in a couple weeks. And I've got a few questions for those of you with a bit more experience.

Its not a bench show, so I don't have to crate him in between things, which is good because they're not allowing soft-sided crates in the conformation area (stackable crates only, I didn't ask why someone would want to stack TM's.....). My husband may, or may not, be able to come with me. It does look like he's going to be off work, but they aren't allowing any dogs on site except for the dogs in teh show, so we can't bring Arty which means that its going to depend on the timing of things since we try not to leave Arty crated for more than 4hrs at a time yet.

With that in mind I intend to bring a minimum of "stuff" with me so I don't have to try to keep track of much. A bowl, and maybe a jug of water? Some dehydrated meat chunks in case he gets hungery (he won't usually eat in public, but if we're there long enough....). A couple brushes.....some granola bars for me, hope I don't have to hit the bathroom while I'm there....what am I forgetting?

Also, those of you who've shown AKC, what important tidbits do I need to know as a first time handler/owner? I signed up for the Novice catagory, though I'm not sure it'll make a difference since its possible he'll be the only TM on site.

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

Hi!! I have done a couple of dozen shows and usually bring the minimum with me as well. At first I brought way too much and realised i didnt need half! So...i bring a blanket for Moo to lay on whilst we wait, and wait and wait. A water bowl and bottle of water. Her brush and two leads, one being her show lead and the other her regular lead which is a soft nylon one. I dont feed her while I am there I feed her in the morning as usual because you want them hungry in the ring if you bait. For bait I use cooked liver. Granola bars for you a definate and dont forget a thermos of tea or coffee or what ever you drink. And last but not least A BOOK!! The days can be long and boring and if you are not in the ring until the end and Apollo is sleeping you will want something to help pass the time. Oh another thing to bring to help him stop getting bored is something good to chew on like a nylabone for example. Good luck, take lots of pics, try not to get nervous but that is easier said than done and most of all remember to smile!! At the end of the day you take home the best dog regardless if they place or not.

---------- Post added at 01:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:29 PM ----------

[video=youtube;eIyBJKrFyW4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIyBJKrFyW4[/video]

mooshi at crufts - opening scene is her big fluffy bum and you see her again at 0.14 seconds being handled by lady in white skirt.

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

[video=youtube;eIyBJKrFyW4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIyBJKrFyW4[/video]

mooshi at crufts - opening scene is her big fluffy bum and you see her again at 0.14 seconds being handled by lady in white skirt.

 

[BlackShadowCaneCorso]

We tend to bring the show stuff but leave most in the van. We have strong collars and leash and just have the show collar on and carry that lead in a pocket then we slip off the strong one to go in the ring. If you are going to allow drinking take a towel to dry the face... some judges don't like drool. Your brush (not used to that with a short coat ) and bait if he will accept it. Try to wear close that your dog won't blend with when stacking in front of you. I forget and usually wear black with Danae... not a good idea as you lose her head against my pants. Comfortable shoes for you and somewhat dresser than every day clothes. I was advised to dress to respect the judge (dress pants and a shirt) but not to out-due them.

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

Good points Mary! I forgot to mention the towel and clothes. I would also suggest if possible to leave his 'normal' collar loose so as not to leave an indentation in his fur. I dont know how well Apollo is on a normal collar and lead, Moo is really good so i leave it as loose as possible with her being somewhat long coated you dont want to see a big tide mark around his neck.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Well, I'm going to BRING bait, but he has yet to respond to such in public (dehydrated buffalo liver in case you were wondering). Towel definetly, blanket maybe, he usually prefers the bare floor though. Going to be black jeans and a blouse or sweater weather depending, so blending won't be an issue with him, the only dress pants I have that fit are pale linen, and those probly would blend.

Collar, his normal out and about is a prong and I don't know how I feel about that at a dog show. We've been doing extra flat collar work so that should be ok, and for reasons know only to him he's a perfect gentleman in show lead even in the crowds at the obediance club, go figure.....

A book! Yah, I'd be bored sick.....

I'll watch the video when I get home from work.....

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

Just put him in his show collar then if he is happy enough and maybe put a flat in your bag just in case. I wouldnt take a prong to a dog show.

 

[ruthcatrin]

His big issues is the first 15minutes or so when we first arrive. He goes into overdrive of "smells, smells, people, people, dogs dogs!" and has to smell EVERYTHING, and I've not been able to break him of it. Once I get him past that he's got great manners. So my plan is to try to get there a little extra early so we can get past that before he HAS TO BEHAVE. I hate mornings, a thermos of coffee is going to be a really good idea.....normally no one notices his prong in his ruff, but this is going to be dog people and I don't feel like arguing about it with folks, so the flat collar to run around in, and the show once he gets over his nutball tendancy....

 

[ruby55]

When you look @ the schedule it will list all breeds in the order they show at each ring. Then you can also look up the number of dogs registered for each breed. Judges are permitted 2 minutes per dog (I think; someone correct me if I'm wrong). So you can kind of estimate how long you're going to have to wait before showing.
There's no rule that says you have to be there all day when you show, unless you take 1st place. Then you have to wait for the next step, whether it be breed, class or show. If you don't show until afternoon, then you don't have to be there in the morning. It's less stressful on your dog to not be there any longer than necessary, IMO. You also don't have to have a crate. People with multiple dogs showing use crates at the ring.
Poop bags are also a necessity, if you ask me. I can't stand taking my dog out, only to find dog crap everywhere.
I don't know how you groom Apollo, but I know a lot a folks with fur-factor dogs carry spray bottles with water or a leave in conditioner; you can fluff them up a little bit just before you enter the ring. The spray bottle with water is good for your dog too; if he's a little dry just before ring time you can spritz his mouth without making a big slobbery mess.
We always watch the judge when they're in the ring with other classes, so that we know what they're looking for. Some pay attention to structure; some movement, etc. Then you know what to emphasize with your dog when you get in there.
It's kind of nerve wracking the first few times you go in the ring, but try to remember IT'S JUST A DOG SHOW. And the best part is working with your dog, not the competition.
If hubby's there, make sure he's got the camera so we can see how you guys do. Good luck; HAVE FUN!
One more thing: Walk Apollo as close to ring time as possible. If he has an accident in the ring, it's death.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Ah, That was my next question, do I have to be there at oh early horrid hour if the TM's aren't going to be till after noon, but I was waiting for the schedule to be sure (Westminster the TM's show at 8am and then have to sit around ALL DAY for the group. Can I say how much I never want to do that??). Definetly poop bags, yah, I hate that too.....

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

When we did crufts we had to be there by 11am, they dont let any other dogs in after that and we were not in the ring until 5.30!! It was horrid. Bored dogs, bored owners. Ruby that is an excellent post, I couldnt (and didnt) have said it any better.

---------- Post added at 03:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:18 PM ----------

His big issues is the first 15minutes or so when we first arrive. He goes into overdrive of "smells, smells, people, people, dogs dogs!" and has to smell EVERYTHING, and I've not been able to break him of it. Once I get him past that he's got great manners. So my plan is to try to get there a little extra early so we can get past that before he HAS TO BEHAVE. I hate mornings, a thermos of coffee is going to be a really good idea.....normally no one notices his prong in his ruff, but this is going to be dog people and I don't feel like arguing about it with folks, so the flat collar to run around in, and the show once he gets over his nutball tendancy....

Smells everything?? He's a dog of course he does. LOL!! Not worth arguing with people over a prong, leave it at home.

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

His big issues is the first 15minutes or so when we first arrive. He goes into overdrive of "smells, smells, people, people, dogs dogs!" and has to smell EVERYTHING, and I've not been able to break him of it. Once I get him past that he's got great manners. So my plan is to try to get there a little extra early so we can get past that before he HAS TO BEHAVE. I hate mornings, a thermos of coffee is going to be a really good idea.....normally no one notices his prong in his ruff, but this is going to be dog people and I don't feel like arguing about it with folks, so the flat collar to run around in, and the show once he gets over his nutball tendancy....

Smells everything?? He's a dog of course he does. LOL!! Not worth arguing with people over a prong, leave it at home.

 

[BlackShadowCaneCorso]

If it is an AKC prongs might be prohibited anyway (they are at CKC shows here) We usually take the dogs inside about 20 minutes before ring time so they get all that smelling and crap out of the way, then when they start group we do a bathroom break and are back in pretty quick to watch the pattern the judge prefers for group. I am always too nervous to eat until after so I never bring snacks. I hate shows that you have to be there all day for They wonder why the dogs have no pep in the ring when they show! I had a judge at the last show 2 hours late for her assignment because she didn't want to get out of bed, needless to say Danae was not a perky puppy in the ring

 

[ruthcatrin]

Smells everything?? He's a dog of course he does. LOL!! Not worth arguing with people over a prong, leave it at home.

I wouldn't mind except he tries to drag me along for the ride......

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

LOL! But mummy everything smells soooo good, come over here and smell this, oh no smells this, ohhh this smells better. look someone to play with....mmmm more smells....play, smell, yum!!

 

[ruthcatrin]

Yup, thats it exactly lol

 

[ruthcatrin]

Watched the video, fluffy butt! Thanks!

Mary I vaugely recall being told that you can't use prongs at AKC shows bit haven,t managed to track down that bit of rules yet. Either way its not worth it. And sheesh! The judge was two hours late!?!

 

[neomama]

Make sure you have your show collar on the right way!! Take drool towel, bait, water bottle, i just spray the water in Alliseaa's mouth or I take a bucket with ice in it.
MAKE SURE you shoes are comfortable!! Dress in nice pants with a jacket or skirt with jacket. (not to short as to see your butt when you stack them).
I just have a bag I carry with me and put everyting in then sit it beside the ring when I go in. Also they have small coolers that have retractable handles with rollers
that are nice to put ice and water in, that way you can just pull it with you.
Make sure you are READY when it is time for you to go into the ring DON'T make them wait, alot of times at an AKC show they will not wait.
GOOD LUCK !! you will do fine, I remember my fist show and was a nervous wreck.
Don't forget to get your number and have it on your arm!

 

[ruthcatrin]

I don't have short skirts lol, though I,m not sure that most of the skirts I have are proper show ring attire either.....I have a pair if sharp black jeans that I keep for dresswear, BLACK, not worn looking. I like the wheeled cooler idea, ours is wheeled but bigger than I want to manage for this. Might have to look around.....no waiting! I'll remember (along with the potty break right before....)!

---------- Post added at 04:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:56 PM ----------

Oh, and the handling class I took, the instructor got so peeved at all of us having the collars on the wrong way....I hope I'll never forget that one!

 

[ruthcatrin]

Oh, and the handling class I took, the instructor got so peeved at all of us having the collars on the wrong way....I hope I'll never forget that one!