i have a lovely puppy that i think i would love to show but i suffer from panic attacks and was wondering if there are people out there who show other peoples dogs in the ring and how to go about getting in touch with them? i am booked into ringcraft classes when all vax have been done. would the trainer know someone? i am in sevenoaks in kent.

congratulations on your pup .....is there not a way you could get into showing slowly and get to feel comfortable ....there are handlers out there but the bond you would get with your dog is second to none .see how you get on at ringcraft i was so nervous at first but i soon found that by concentrating on what my dog was doing i forgot about my nerves . iwish you well in whatever you choose to do

It's not very common in the UK to have a handler for your dog, unless it's somebody in your family or a close friend. (I HATE handling myself but found both my husband and my middle daughter love it, so that was easy enough to solve.) Your best bet would be to ask your puppy's breeder if they might handle for you, or know somebody in the breed that might. Failing that there may be Junior Handlers in your area keen to have another breed to handle so ask at ringcraft.

hi my first time in the ring was in oct 2010 and you would recognise me as was always red faced and looked out of place.  I still shake (legs and hands) but the buzz you get is amazing and lots of people at shows are very helpful take your time and see how you do at ringcraft you will always bump into people you know from ringcraft which helps take your mind of things.
  Good luck in whatever you decide but flomo is right you will get the best bond with your pup doing it yourself

All the best

Nessa

Hi

I used to suffer terribly with ring nerves (being sick after judging, feeling faint, sweating). I considered giving up showing.
My advise would be to take time and build up a bond with your dog. A well trained dog is a huge asset in the show ring.
To build up my confidence, i attended loads of fun shows and companions show, and entered even silly classes (such as oddest pair/ most handsome anything really).
I made myself do it regularly.
Organisation also helps, knowing where to go/where to park/where you need to be, so getting there early is a must for me.
It took a while, and I still get butterflies. I couldnt bare anyone else handling my dog in the breed classes (and that includes family). It is mine and my dogs thing.
Alternatively, you may be able to find a junior handler who will show your dog for you - however you still need to do the training.

You may like to vist a show (maybe without your dog- so you get the idea as to how it works)
There are often shows held at Lockmeadow Market in Maidstone, and  members of the forum attend. There is one on the 26th june.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do, I thing that the main thing is that you enjoy doing stuff with your dog.

Sam xx

There was someone on here a while ago who was looking to handle other people's dogs--you'd have to do a trawl to find the post, and I can't recall what area of the country she was from. I'd echo what other people have said, though; there are lots of good reasons to handle the dog yourself, and there are a lot of us who are still learning. I started last year and have invented a few handling gaffes myself, and I am still hoping to get to the point where I can be sure that I am not letting the dog down. See what you think when you get to ringcraft and have been going for a while--you might just find that it is really fun. Good luck whatever you decide.

Hi

Congratulations on your pup.  Just out of interest, where are you going to ringcraft?  I used to live in that area, but now live in East Sussex.  I used to train at 5 Oak Green.  If this is the training club, then I can highly recommend it (It's Tunbridge Wells & District).  There are plenty of people to help & encourage you there, a friend in her 60's has just started showing her toy poodle, thanks to their support.

ETA - what breed is your pup, it would help for you to have a handler that at least handles the same group so that you could travel to shows together.

Lovely a new puppy and you want to show.

First does the breeder show, they may be happy to help you by handling for you to start with and then encouraging you when you have learned the ropes a bit.

Second before I started having dogs to show I was so introvert I could not even say hello to someone without blushing but now having been in the dog show world for a while you can't shut me up.

So once you get going you may find you can do it and it will help you in many other ways as well.

my pup is a basset hound.

We have a member on here in my breed who says it has given her loads of confidence learning to show her own dog and going to shows, she has recently started driving, passed her test and the dog world is now her lobster, LOL.

I agree with Barbara, this could be the very thing to help you overcome this problem.

When you really grasp the fact that everyone is looking at the dogs and not you - you can do what actors do...play a part/role and leave the nervous you outside the show ground.

It could be the very thing to open up a new confidence in yourself.

the dog world is now her lobster
Lol at Barbara..........the dog world is now her oyster.?x

Wrong shellfish.............!!!

There is a lady at our ringcraft who also suffered from panic attacks and had a social big crowd issue, but decided to show some of her dogs, yes she is still nervous and quite but the dog showing really really helped her, and to boot it gave her a hobby to get out of the house and meet people. Remember however nervous you are the judge and everyone ring side is looking at your dog, not you.

Junior handlers are a good start or your pups breeder.

>Lol at Barbara..........the dog world is now her oyster.?x

"The world is your lobster" is a catchphrase from the TV series Minder ... ;-)

Ooops, sorry had not heard it before......x

> Wrong shellfish.............!!!

I know it's Oyster, but people often say Lobster when being tongue in cheek, at least around here they do, it is usually when something is a mixed blessing etc

Tell 'em your allergic to oyster Barbara.

Now Dean loooves Oysters, me nothing without a skeleton

Barbara was taking about me :). I have social phobia and suffer from panic attacks . For years I never left the house. I was a single mum (daughter now left home) and tried to hide it from my daughter. I use to get panic attacks when food shopping and had no friends. But I always wanted a show dog. It was a dream that I wanted to fulfill. So I gave up smoking to save up the money for a dog and did my research  to find the right breed for me. When I got my puppy I started ring craft. . It was hard at first as I don't like being in a social situation. But I soon found that if zhaan my puppy was with me, I could cope. My first show was so scary . The worst part was waiting to go in the ring I almost went home and gave up . But I stayed strong and as soon as I was in the ring all my nerves went away. It was me and zhaan and it was like the world was gone. I was surprised  at my self and wanted to have another go. My next show  I had a panic attack as soon as I got there and was running around in a panic . Someone reconsigned me from the web forum and calmed me down. . We got best puppy that day. :) My dog is 3 now and I cant get enough of showing . I love it so much I took driving lessons so I could go to more Shows and I never thought I would be able to drive :). I still get nervous  before I go in the ring. And I talk and talk  to overcome my nurses and often worry I said the wrong thing to people. And I do get panicky at times. But as soon as I am in the ring I am fine. Me and zhaan is all I see and nothing else. I still cant believe I have done it. I have my show dog and go to shows and even got a first at crufts.  I am living my dream and you can too. Forget everyone else and go in that ring to have fun with your dog. You can do it. If I can anyone can :)
P.S I still walk around asking others when my class is on and what to do next. But they are all lovely people and use to me now . Best thing you can ever do is tell everyone how you feel. You will be suprized how kind and helpful people can be xxx

That is a very inspiring story, Vinya :)

Thanks. Dog shows are the only time i am in a social situations and the only time i meet other people. if it was not for dog showing I would be sat in the house all the time. I love the friends i have made and look forward to every show . And having a hobby gives me somthing to focus on . Dog showing and my dog zhaan have changed my life in a way i never thought possible. :)

and we love having you around too, and you are very kind taking photos and sending them onto the owners with nice banners and frames.

That is one thing I do like about the US scene you get photos with the judge of your main wins.

yours is a very inspiring story. thankyou for sharing it x

Thanks Barbara :)