This sunday and I am already a nervous wreck. I haven't got a clue what to do when I get there, dog can be a bit skitty so who knows what will happen.
Tracy

Don't worry the steward will tell you what to do, get their early so the dog gets used to the atmosphere and enjoy yourself

Hi Tracy

Relax and smile.  When you get there find the ring of the lowest class you are entered in and tick your name off and collect your number, or if the steward is there give them your dog's name and they will do it for you.  If you have more than one class book in at the other ring as well - do you have a running order?

Watch a few rounds before you go in, then go and warm your dog up with a similar round :)

Good Luck

Thank you, I am drawn 8th in beginner which I may train and working per beginner.

Do tell the ring steward it's your first show & that if things go wrong you will change it into a training round. They should be understanding as we all had to start somewhere

Your have to book in both classes within one hour of the start of judging.

Keep a close eye on your stay times & go to the loo before stays ;)

Enjoy your day

Hi Tracy,
     We had our first show just over a week ago, and really enjoyed the day.  Just remember you're there to have a fun day out with your dog, and before you're ready to start your round, have a play with your dog, and also when you're finished - it's got to be an enjoyable experience for him, I think that's most important.  Good luck!
  Hilda

Are you going to York on Sunday if so the people there are helpful It's only a few miles from me but I don't think I'll be able to get there Shame as I enjoy being about to have a wander & a natter as the only other show I go to I'm chief steward which is a day long job ;)

hi! good luck you will love it!
some tips:
get there in plenty of time,to get a good parking space,get settled etc.(i tend to arrive around 1hour(at least)before the judgeing starts,often its more like 2hrs as i often get lost on route so allow  myselfs hours to get anywhere!)

when you get there,get your catalogue(if youve ordered one), then find your beginners ring & tick your number off on your running order sheet,make a note of your stay times, then find pre beg ring,tick your number off then there should be a sheet where you can put your number down of where you want to work,your number should either be with the show sec, at the lowest class(most usually at the lowest class) or at your running order class. check your pre beg stay times too. i usally make a note on my number of stay & lunch times & also where i want to work

make sure you are at the ring for your running order!DO NOT MISS it, some people may not turn up,so you may work eg 4th insted of 8th!

remeber a pin for your ring number,(your number must be worn at all times when competing!)

get to stays at least 10mins before time stated, the times are for last command.

tell the stewards its your 1st show & theyll be helpfull

other competitors will be helpfull too if you get totally bemused by it all!

GOTO THE LOO! dont leave it till its too late! BIG cues at the ladies at shows! NERVES!!!!

good luck ,enjoy it! wheres the show? im at goonharven on sunday (cornwall)

hi Michelle!!!!!

Am I right in thinking you are down this end again soon?

going nottingham way on 24th & lichfield on 25th are you doing either of them?

Thanks for all your help. I am at Coseley this Sunday and Lichfield on the 25th. I think I am more nervous as I was told I would never get my dog in the ring. She has been attacked by dogs, kicked by a man and I nearly lost her at 8 month old, all this before she was even one. I am just happy that she has got this far.

what have you got?dog?

make sure then you give her plenty of time before you go into the ring to settle down!
even if it all goes pearshaped (it does at times!) dont worry it happens to everybody! are you going with friends?who do you train with?

Southport and Bromborough for me next.

Yes, There are a few of us. I train with Shirley Clowes and go on Jo Hill courses.

-mastinobaby,
youll be fine then! got some good trainers there! theyll be able to give you loads of advice! have you got a collie?

your going to southport mastinobaby?

Yes

Hi, I'm going to Southport as well - that'll be mine and Cody's second show!
Hilda

well good luck to us all on our second show then!!!!

Yes got two Kiasha 2 1/2 working sunday and Kody 16 months no where near ready for the ring.
Kiasha did win a companion show last january.

wow what a cool name kiasha...

You seem to have done really well with her already!

I went into my first show a couple of weeks ago.  Once I was there I was fine.  Just relax and look at it as a fun day out with your dog.  I turned my nerves into excitement, I couldn't wait to get there.

wasnt too bad was it?whens your next one?

I have to say it helped me being with someone I know and also meeting new faces :-).  I had a good day.  I can see that I will become addicted though!!!!

henry will be experinced by then!!!! did you pick up any good tips by watching other people?
did the judge give you any good advice?

Oh yes and southport too.

Yeah it helped watching the round and the Judge and Steward were really nice.  I told them it was my first show beforehand just in case they thought...my god what's this person doing! ha ha  The Judge told me to have fun and enjoy and then gave me a few pointers afterwards that I will remember at future shows now. 

They were both really nice.

yep! usually the judges are fantastic especially for giving confidence in the lower classes!

Thanks for all your advice. We had a really good day and came 3rd in pre beginner.

well done!

Brilliant!  Well done the pair of you

Now check out the "Out & About" section of the Obedience UK site to see if anyone took your picture on the day :)

well done! onwards & upwards now!
i got a 5th in novice with nellie yesterday, tara would have had a clear 6th but sat up on return in the down stay so then had to run off for it (with flynns sister holly!) & holly got it.
it was flynns first A & i was well chuffed, he would have finished just out of the cards but as i knew he would be i helped him with his scent,which he did really well!

how did you find it all mastinobaby? any big problems?

No real problems, anticipated on retrieve and went behind on left turn. She was realy up for it though so all in all a good day.

Is anybody going to Chadkirk on the 3rd of July.

no im not, but i do go to some northern ones if im feeling keen!
your "faults" arent bad ones to have really are they?? at least they are "keen" related! well done! how were your nerves?

I wasn't as bad as I thought, just a few flutters.

Excellent, I bet you are looking forward to the next one now.
Well done
Sandra

its quite easy to get addicated you know!

I have my first one in two weeks, looking on it as ring experience at the moment.  That's my excuse and I am sticking to it

Sandra

where is it?

I'm chomping at the bit for my next one! Hurry up May 8th!!!!!!!

hi emma! it will take ages to arrive, have you got any where you can do pre begs & begs?

I have gone in at the deep end.......Rugby, bit far really, but I have a breed show the following day and am staying over.

im going to rugby! i havent been to that one before, but heard its a good show.

I just hope it is dry and mud free with a breed show the next day   I should stand out, I will be the one with the poofy collie all clean and trimmed. :D

I have Lichfield this sunday.

im going to lichfield! havent been there before either(im spreading my wings this year)! if you hear a awfull racket itll be nellie having a sing during her round!

Hi michelle,

I think Soutport is pre ad beg and if I'm not mistaken so is Bromborough.  God I have entered that many that I have lost track!  But where there are pre and beg I have entered both.

Well done by the way this weekend x

Labmad we are in the same classes, are you drawn.