Tag: Show ring

Categories
Show dog training

Alert on the table

Alert on the table
I’ve always believed that training a table dog is the hardest. You have to get the dog used to, and happy to stand on the floor and on the table.

The table can be a scary place for dogs at a show. The surface could be one of many things from carpet to rubber and any colour. The table could wobble and there is the height where each table at each show will put your dog at a different level to you each time.

Therefore, it’s important you get your table dog used to tables and different surfaces. To do this, make sure you make the table a positive experience such as giving loads of yummy treats just for being on the table, play a game when they get off the table and make sure they are used to being on different surfaces.

This will also help to get ears and tails up in breeds that require these features.

Categories
Getting started

Winning Paws Ringcraft (Stotfold)

Winning Paws Ringcraft (Stotfold)
I’ve just got in from the first Winning Paws Ringcraft, held at the Roecroft Centre in Stotfold, Bedfordshire.

I (Roxanne) and my friend Jane Ashwell-Carter have taken on the slot of Roecroft Ringcraft after it faced closure. Both of us wanted to keep this local, friendly ringcraft going and it has been in my mind for ages to set up a ringcraft class and with Jane this will be a great partnership and with the help of her son Michael.

Our first night I can only claim as a success. We are so pleased with the amount of support that turned up for our first night and hope you all enjoyed yourselves. Although we weren’t expecting the amount that turned up and didn’t plan for it, we think it went well. Don’t think every session will be the same, we will try and do different things each time to get the dogs used to different things.

I just want to share some lovely comments we have received already on our opening night from Facebook;

“Thank you both for a most enjoyable evening, thank Michael for helping look after my dogs and look forward to the next one. Good company, good training and nice cuppa and cake.”

“Viva sleeping soundly after her first session. Many thanks ladies, see you in two weeks.”

“I am looking forward to the next one! Excellent environment for my pup to be in and chatted to some lovely people and not forgetting the first class training too! So pleased with Bo this evening. Thank you.”

Editor note: Due to time commitments of both Roxanne and Jane, the ringcraft in Stotfold has now closed. This was a hard decision, and we both miss the club.

Categories
Handling training

Showing a dogs teeth in handling

Showing a dogs teeth in handling
In handling classes you will be asked to show the judge your dogs teeth.

The judge will access you on how well you show the teeth. To do this, show all three sides of the mouth clearly (two sides and the front). The order is not important (although some judges may think so) but either ‘side, side, front’ or ‘side, front, side’ appear to be the most common. The most important thing is how fluent you show them and how clear they are shown to the judge.

Be careful not to cover the dog’s nose or poke them in the eye with a finger when showing the teeth as this will invariably cause the dog to back away and will look messy.

Also, remember t think about where the judge is, especially how tall they are, and move your dogs head accordingly. It’s important when practicing with your dog to get them used to tilting their head up at different angles and also turning your dogs head with you show the sides.

Also remember that the judge wants to see the dogs teeth, not your head or hair, (a good reason for tying long hair back). If you can see your dogs teeth, the likelihood is, the judge can’t!

If the judge asks for the ‘bite’ this is when they want to just see the front teeth.  If you are ever unsure about what the judge wants then do ask them to clarify it  for you.

One last note; remember, a dog has 42 teeth!

Categories
Handling training Show dog training

Stacking your dog

Stacking your dog
If you have a stacked breed, consider how you pick up your dogs legs; below are some do’s and don’ts of placing your dogs legs.

Do…
…place your dogs legs one at a time
…gently place your dogs feet on the ground
…pick your dogs leg up from the centre of the leg
…stay calm and take your time
…keep the stacking calm and rythmatic (one foot, two foot, 3 foot, 4 foot, head, tail, present)
…remind them of the command

Do not…
…pick your dog up from the under-carriage
…drop your dogs legs from height
…be rough with your dog
…use jerky movement
…throw your dog off balance

Remember to stand your dog in front of a mirror so you can see how you have stacked them to make sure that they are correct or ask your trainer to watch how you do it and give any advice to improve if needed.

Have a look at some more advice of stacking your dogs on the blog post Standing your dog – part I

Categories
Top Tips

Top Tip #29

Top Tip #29
Keep all training sessions short and sweet with your dog, especially puppies. Always use positive training methods and end each session on a good note!

Categories
Top Tips

Top Tip #28

Top Tip #28
Remember the show results are not final until the card/rosette is handed to you. Keep showing and presenting your dog to the judge until the card/rosette is in your hand.

Categories
Getting started

Knowledge of Dogs

Knowledge of Dogs
In handling classes you may be asked questions on dog anatomy or breed- specific questions about the breed you are showing or about other breeds and groups. Therefore it is important to know and understand dog anatomy and know the history of the breed you are handling and roughly know the breed standard and characteristics.

If you are handling dogs in the breed ring, understanding the dog anatomy, construction and the breed standard will allow you to ‘judge’ the dog you have in the ring and understand it’s streghts and weaknesses. Once you know what these are you can try and hide the faults where possible to make the dog look better.

Categories
Getting started

Which class to enter?

Which class to enter?
You pick up your first schedule for a dog show and your new puppy is old enough, but what class should you enter? There are often hundreds of classes at an Open show and even more at a Championship show. but only a handful will be applicable to you and your dog.

If you enter online, then they will only give you the choice of classes you are eligible to enter but looking though a schedule can be daunting.

Breed/AVNSC classes
If your breed has separate classes, this is where you should make your first entry, otherwise you will need to enter Any Variety Not Separately Classified (AVNSC). There could be mixed sex classes or separate classes for dogs and bitches, so read carefully.
Enter the lowest class you can enter, so with a puppy, look for Puppy or Junior, if your starting to show an older dog, look for graduate or post graduate. The full definition of classes will be in the schedule or can be found on the Kennel Clubs Website from page 37 here.

Don’t get too excited and put a 6 months old puppy into a class where he could be up against older dogs. Also consider that you pay for the judge’s opinion, so if you want to do more than one class, look at the variety classes where it’s likely to be a different judge.

Variety and stakes classes
There will be variety or stakes classes for any breed of dog to enter at most shows. They are excellent practise for showing against other breeds. The classification of classes will be similar to that in the breed classes.

Categories
Getting started Show dog training

Show Etiquette

Show Etiquette
Etiquette: the customary code of polite behaviour in society or among members of a particular profession or group (Oxford dictionary)

There always seems to be discussions about the show world and a lot of people believe that those in the show world are “bitchy”, “nasty”, unkind” or “unhelpful”. I’m not going to defend everyone, some people are, but this is no means the majority, half or even a quarter. In fact, it’s a very small percentage.

But, still it is important to be reminded of show etiquette of polite behaviour towards each other while at shows and while discussing shows.

Remember to smile, speak to new people in the breed and encourage them. Share your tips (or at least share the Winning Paws blog!).
Congratulate the winners
Have a laugh with friends
Don’t say bad things about other people or dogs in public

I saw a lovely thing on Facebook yesterday where someone offered to make and give a lead to a 9 year old handler who wanted one. I saw lots of congratulations flying around the internet to people who had done well at shows.

Lets remember to keep the show etiquette and all play our parts in being friendly and approachable to keep this hobby fun and inviting.

I think most/all of us feel sad and guilty when a new person is made to feel unwelcome. After all, they didn’t meet anyone who has probably read to the end of this post.

Like if you agree!

 

Categories
Getting started products

Armbands or ringclips?

Armbands or ringclips?
At a show each dog will have a number allocated to them. This is their ring number and at benched shows will also be the bench number. Each dog has the number to identify it in the catalogue and in the judges book so it is important that the numbers are worn and displayed in the ring at all times.

In fact this is a Kennel Club rule (F, 17, i. Every exhibitor shall ensure that whilst the dog is being exhibited, its handler shall display the correct ring number.)

To display the ring number you can either use a specially designed clip, or an arm band.

There is no rule as to where your number should be displayed but it is helpful to both judge and steward if it is easily visible to them.

You have a large range to choose from for ringclips from 40p-60p basic clips (always worth having a few with your show kit) to handmade ones of your breed down to the detail of looking just like your dog. Armbands can range too with basic simple clear ones to sparkly, patterned ones which you insert the numbers into a pouch or just an elasticated band (with diamante of course!) . A type I haven’t yet used is the mixture of the two. The ringclip is on an elasticated arm band. They come in some lovely looking designs to match any outfit or lead.

Some different types for ring clips and arm bands can be found below:

Any breed or your own dogs photograph can be purchased from http://www.starprintshop.co.uk/
Found in most breeds in either silver or gold from http://www.k9centre.co.uk
My personal choice from http://www.rabartforfineart.com/
Handmade to order ringclips http://www.k9-kreations.co.uk or on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/K9kreationsuk
White armband from http://www.dogexhibitor.com
The great ‘spare’ for every show bag!

Edited on 01/10/12 to add a new style of Armband:
This is the style of an armband with a ringclip. As I wrote previously, this is a design I haven’t used but I can imagine it’s great for when changing your ring numbers over.

Armband clip design from Daisy Ann Dog Designs. Visit Daisy Ann Dog Designs on Facebook and look out for their online shop!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For cheap ringclips click here