Hi ,
can anyone give me any concrete advise as to how to get rid/overcome an attack of nerves when in the ring. I shake badly and my breathing goes erratic. I've tried breathing exercises but it doesn't have much effect. It transfers down the lead to the dog and she plays up as a result!

Try Bach rescue Remedy also try to relax your shoulders, I find this helps to relax your whole body. If you can stop your shoulders creeeping up to your ears it makes you feel better
Anne

Hi, where do you get this from? Is it mail order? - it's something I may definitely try as I know a dog can sense your nerves.

Boots sell Bachs Rescue Remedy ..failing that you can order over the Internet ..just pop the name into Google

Melody :)

Hi - I've just found it on the internet and ordered some (- first time I've used the internet for ordering goods so I'll wait and see when it turns up).

Does it actually work - ie does it calm your nerves?

I used to shake but it has got better. You can order the homeopathic remedie from www.ainsworths.co.uk
I have some but I have never thought to have any before a show.
Try not to look at anyone outside the ring. Just look at your dog and where the judge is. Also we all make idiots of ourselves. I should of stopped infront of a judge once, only to run past. I know someone else that ran into the judges table, and I know a few people that have fell over. So dont worry, we all do something daft. Try open shows first so you over come your nerves and exemption shows (companion dog shows), build up your confidence first. I found with my one bitch is I shook the fear seemed to travel down the lead and the dog showed bad. So I had to over come it for hersake.

It's reassuring to know that I won't be on my own if/when I show myself up. I have actually been to some companion shows and entered some open shows, and ,as you say, it is good practice but I can imagine coming to the champ show and the nerves will be running riot!!

You can get it from Holland and Barrett if you have a store near you .
Personally I dont think it works - well not for me anyway :(
Lel

I'm not sure the homeopathy bit works but the grape alcohol it's swimming in sure does :) Hic! :D

Hi,
Quiet Life Tablets or Kalms are very good and both are herbal and safe. You need to take them an hour or two before hand so that they get a chance to work. The interesting thing is that they help to overcome the problem too, after you've used them for a while you'll forget to take them and find you don't need them any more. There's nothing worse than an attack of nerves at the wrong moment.

Regards
Dill

Many years ago I had an attack of nerve's, a friend and I arrived at a Champ show early in the morning about 8 a.m.I was supposed to be meeting a very knowlegable and revered lady and chairman of the breed club to pick up a puppy from her at the show .Many might know of her Mrs Hesketh Williams a leading lady in Lhasa Apso's. We went to the cafe looking for Coffee, the queue was out the door, but we noticed that the beer tent was set up and empty, so we thought a quick one was not out of line for nerves, even at 8 in the morning, so we got a pint each and headed for the benches.Guess who the first person was that we met as we exited the beer tent, yes that right the matriarc of the breed, with me complete with pint in hand.I overcame the nerve to go to collect my puppy, but after that the ring seemed childs play.When my oldees all went into retirement we had no show dog's for a few year and only went back into the ring last year,but I think part of showing is the buzz you get just before you go into the ring.