Hey guys,
I'd class myself as new to dog showing - I've been doing it 2 years but I've not really done many shows. I've just entered my first champ show (Blackpool) with my youngest dog.

I'm stuck on two areas;
1) What do I do when I get there - do I have chance to take her for a wee and get her settled or is it straight to her bench? Where do I get a catalogue from, and how do I actually find her bench? Do I need to take a bottle filled with water, or can I fill a bowl there? When I go in the ring, can I just leave a bag with everything inside in my cage, or is it unsafe (you'd be disappointed if you stole my doggie stuff though really! She's pretty wash and go)! Will she be allowed to walk round with me, do I have to tell someone before I take her to the toilet? How will I know when my class starts (usually I stand by the ring at open shows, and I hear them shout the class or someone tells me I'm in next - it's quite difficult to miss). Finally, for a toy breed will a 24x18 inch crate fit the bench, and can I put a cover on it?

2) I find it really difficult to get her attention on me. She doesn't look at me at all when walking and gets quite distracted if something happens outside the ring. I've tried at home treating her, but she's got very low treat and toy interest. When she free stands at the end, provided she's not distracted, she looks well at me but on the table I have to hold her head up and in place. She stays well for the judge to go over her and we have no problems, but when I let go of her head for the judge she just drops her head again and doesn't look alert. Does anyone have any advise to try?

Thanks!

When you get your passes you will get an order of judging so you will know what time you need to be there. Better to get there with a good 30 mins to spare so you can watch the dog puppies for how they are in the ring (so helping you see what stage yours should be at attention wise) I am assuming you have a bitch as you said her.

I suggest you try an nip to the toilet yourself at a services before your there so you don't have to leave your girl. But yes if you plan your time well then you will have plenty if time to take her for a wee.

Catalogues are normally pretty obvious once your there, there is always a table or booth clearly marked. Your ring number is your bench number there will be two of the same number waiting for you at the bench, one to wear in the ring and one to stay on your bench. Try and check your number in catalogue but also nearly always your dog removal pass will have your bench number on. Not 100% reliable but 9 out of 10 times its right.

You can stand at ring side with your pup and watch the judging so you know when is your turn, once judging starts it will all be very obvious the steward will shout when your wanted. Champ shows to me are always more organised so makes them easy to navigate.

I always take my own water as even though there is always a tap its not always close by, and that size crate is what I use and we get a small bench space but yes that size will fit and yes you can use a cover.

For the attention and the looking down that just takes practice, don't try for perfection as it better for them to enjoy and have a long showing life than be a perfect statue with no spark of personality.

And above all enjoy yourself, give it 2-3 champ shows and you will be right at home :)

Thank you, thats very helpful.

I just thought of something else too - what would you usually take with you to a show (besides a dog)?

Food and drinks for yourself as they can be very expensive at shows and most definitely a chair or folding stool.

I also make sure I have a pen to mark up my catalogue and always pack a raincoat,pack a mac type,in my show bag.

I usually take their breakfasts as we mostly have to leave too early for feeding at home. I give it once we reach our bench, though some people prefer to feed in the car park.

What goes with me
Dog on normal collar and lead until getting ready to judge
Show lead x 2 (yes i have had one break before)
Jacket in protector so I look tidy and not covered in dog hair, has ring clip already on
I wear practical boots or even wellies but take my show shoes in my bag so they dont end up a mess
Umbrella
Brush for dog
Wet wipes and tissues for human, wet wipes for dog
Small towel (small breeds can get wet unless carried)
Tiny first aid bag, covers human and dog
Water and travel water bowl

Bum bag with the following
Pen
Money
Phone
Treats
Poo bags
Car keys
RAC breakdown card
Emergency credit card
Show passes and removal orders

Benching chain and blanket or fabric crate depending on ring order and venue
Some sweets just in case I dont get chance to grab anything else

I personally don't feed my dogs to avoid sickness and make them keen but I always take a small amount if dried food incase I get stranded or more often stuck in traffic for 6 hours on some random motorway.

Think thats it, it looks a lot but its all small items and it fits in a small back pack, I even fold my jacket into it for trip from car to bench.

Missed a question from earlier post on security of stuff, things rarely go missing but im paranoid I keep the important things in my bumbag, everything else if it went missing it wouldnt be the end of the world.

I wouldn't walk her around if the ground is wet and dirty..until after your class. If you do win you will need to go back in to the ring later so in that case keep her clean.

A ring clip or pin for your number.
I wouldn't fasten a Papillon to a bench by a benching chain. You would be the only one who did.
A small crate or carry her, sit with her on your lap.
Spend your free time watching, looking and seeing what everyone else does.

In your class, try not to be seen first, watch what others do and if you have any questions ask the steward.

Toolz you do realise were talking blackpool here, the last couple of years in the ring they got wet and muddy, but of course we all obviously try to minimise them getting in a state. I saw large white dogs having to walk in as trolleys got stuck in the mud!! Toy breeds a little easier to carry.

To the OP fingers crossed for nice weather for you, its definately due for some.

The question I was answering was what I take not what I recommend for a toy breed. Thankfully heelers are hardy and need to walk on the way in so even with mild mud and rain they walk in and get towel dried.  Has never affected them winning but they are a darker breed. Still find it sad breeds that aren't small or white or fluffy get wheeled everywhere not exactly enjoyable for the dog but thats a whole new thread in itself.

The question asked was what should she do with a predominantly white,coated, toy dog at a Championship show, which I answered from a very experienced perspective.

Tooolz is right -you most definitely do NOT want to walk a Papillon before she had been judged, unless it happens to be a perfectly dry day -which sadly hasn't been the case at Blackpool for a few years!! I show Papillons as well, although as a second breed. Most Pap people will bring boxes or trolleys and few use the benches, most will have them around the areas for cages near the rings -as long as it isn't too wet....

You don't really want a Papillon to look AT you when moved as that would tilt the head up at an angle, as long as her head isn't on the ground sniffing it's fine. I wouldn't worry too much about having to hold hear head on the table -you can keep working on that. What you need to concentrate on above all is keeping her tail up. If she drops her tail you don't stand any chance at all, so the trick is to keep her happy and cheerful. Use whatever you think will work -real tasty treats (chicken, ham, liver or similar -it needs to be irresistible and something not usually offered anywhere else) or a toy. (Must say I've never before heard of a Papillon not interested in toys!)

Good luck!

My first show was a champ show - was so pleased that the first person I saw in the carpark was my breeder!! Your showing number will be on your paperwork when you get it - the number on it will also be your bench number. Hope that helps - and good luck and enjoy it!

So far (fingers crossed) she has always had her tail up, only occasionally dropping it as the judge goes over her but she puts it up again. She looks sloppy when she doesn't hold her head up though, which is why I want her to start doing it - she sniffs the floor both walking and when she's on the table.

I have two Paps, the first one I don't show much because she doesn't have a proper coat but she LOVES toys, especially if you play fetch with her. Piper, the one I show, only wants a toy when the other one has it, and even then its only interesting if someone is chasing her. She's a very funny dog.

If you use some sort of crate don't you have to have clear I.D on it now? I don't use them so not sure. You guys have been pretty comprehensive so apologies if someone mentioned it and i missed it.  If you have to go too the loo yourself you could always ask someone if they will be around too keep an eye on your dog and your stuff while you go. Hopefully someone you know, but most people wouldn't mind if they're not going anywhere for a minute.

As everyone says, things will be pretty clear when you get there. Try to give yourself enough time to relax and prepare. Good luck!