hi would appreciate any tips and advice for showing in the ring i used to show when i was about 8 or 9 and i will be starting again in the next few months with Lily my TT

how do you keep yourself calm before going in the ring ?

georgina

A bottle of the good stuff might help :D

Just joking. If you can find a ringcraft class in your area they would be a big help. As would asking the breeder if they show. All dogs are shown differently, some are 'table' dogs, some are shown 'strung up', some are 'free standing' and others are 'stacked' ( where you stand your dog and then hold it's head in one hand and the tail in the other). This is where ringcraft really comes into it's own. If your breeder shows their dogs are you close enough to visit them to see how they do it?

Joining the breed club is also a good place to start, as they can put you in touch with someone close to you who can help.

Try investing in some rescue remedy to calm and reasure!  works wonders for me!

Have to agree with ice_queen - rescue remedy works wonders (may be psychological but who cares if it works!)  I always try to keep calm by knowing that as long as my dog does it's best there's nothing more I can do - the best dog is the one that comes home with me anyway!  Treating every show as a practice for the next show seems to work for me too.

Emma

Emma I have to agree with psychological.  theres no way it works in 5 mins when I'm already worked up but I think it was mainly becaus eI believed it would calm me down!  It's always worth it.

Also the good stuff....thats milk isn't it!?!?!?! :D :D :D :D

Hi georgina,  lots of good advice already been given, and a ringcraft class is a must, as you have picked a breed which is both stacked & moved strung up you may need some tips.  But the one invaluable thing to do is watch some of the top people in the breed (eg Ken Sinclair) in the ring at some Ch shows.

bye
Gwen

Duplicated, sorry :D

I thought the good stuff was water - with something added ;) :D , or was it tonic water, or lemonade? :)

Or, being in Scotland, the good old Irn Bru? :D :D

thank you everyone really appreciate it

keep the advice coming
i have not been in the ring since i was 9 and i was showing a pyrenees (sp) and we came 1st and i got a pin with the breed and a bag of taytos and a bottle of lemonade and sam got a rosette

big difference

georgina

Deep breathing helps alot, as it keeps you from hyperventilating. :D  Try to breathe in to a slow count of 5, hold for a count of 5 and out of a count of 5, do that 5-10 times and you will feel calmer.  And visualise the routine before you enter the ring, it makes it easier when you finally go in. :) 

A tip I was given when I started and didn't have clue, allow as many people as possible to go in the ring before you, that way you'll be able to see what they're doing and have plenty of time to get ready.  Also watch as many classes as you can from the ringside to get an idea of what the judge will ask you to do.

Rescue remedy worked on my lunatic dog so I don't think its psychological :) and I take it myself to calm down before going in.

Take it yourself but dont give it to the dog.
If the dog needs it don't show it.
Chow

That is a rude & unneeded thing to say, my cavaliers love going to shows & get very excited

RR will not disguise a poor temperament but like T Touch Massage helps the dogs to chill out & relax

I used to give it to one of my dogs that had been hurt by a vet & forever afterwards he would tense up on the table at shows, RR jusy helped him relax

Moonmaiden
Sorry you found my post rude.Everyone is entitled to there opinion and that was mine.
Chow

User: Moonmaiden

That is a rude & unneeded thing to say, my cavaliers love going to shows & get very excited

RR will not disguise a poor temperament but like T Touch Massage helps the dogs to chill out & relax

I used to give it to one of mu dogs that had been hurt by a vet & forever afterwards he would tense up on the table at shows, RR jusy helped him relaz

It wasn't your opinion I found rude but the way you put it over as if using RR is a way of hiding a bad temp etc I use it help my dogs chill out & relax as they get excited before going into the ring bit like a kid going to a footie match etc

I must agree with Moonmaiden here,  RR simply helps to stop the extreme effects of excitement (or nerves in my case ;) ) it does not dope either you or the dog, in my case it enabled my dog to keep all 4 paws on the floor and not work himself up into a lunatic.  He adores being shown and used to get extremely excited.  Thanks to the RR he no longer gets too excited and consequently doesn't need it.  He still enjoys the shows though ;)