Last night was my second night back at ringcraft after quite a gap. A large proportion of the dogs there were very young puppies - 3 - 4 months. They made my 17 month old lab look like a gallumphing elephant! :D :D :D Made me wonder - do people tend to go to train their puppies, then just get on with actual showing? It was very crowded last night, so thinking logically, if people did all continue going, numbers would rapidly become unmanageable....

Many people continue going regularly and of course bring out their new pups as and when they have them which for some exhibitors is regulary every year and others once every couple of years.

When my Rigcraft was in easy reach I wnet every week with whichever dog I was shoeing.  Sadly they ahve moced to where I cannot get to without a lift from someone.  My five year old bitch would really benefit from some ringcraft as she is impatient when being gone over by the judge, and of course I cannot tell her off in the ring, but woudl be able to tell her of at Ringcraft for being naughty.  As it is she thinks she knows what shold happen in the ring.  she should come in do two circuits of the ring and then do her individual bit, but she doesn't see why she should have to stand politely for the judge :D 

At Crufts I took my squiorty bottle in the ring, ans she new she best behave it was so funny, but I wasn't going to let her show me up like she idd at the last Open show we went to (after a break from the ring since Richmond).  I was so embarrassed when the judge asked her age and I mumbled five :D  she jumped up, wouldn't stand still, tried to gallop off into the sunset etc etc.

it depends very much on the person AND the dog! For example I have 3 new pups at present & am taking the two shy er ones each week to get used to the noise and sights of multiple dogs of different breeds, clanking cages, barking etc....all things they never see at home! I do all their actual ring training at home & only go to ringcraft so they get used to a dog show atmosphere & having a stranger go over them. Once they are acclimatised I dont take them anymore as my breed easily becomes stale/bored with showing! However I see people at local ring craft who I KNOW HAVE BEEN TO AT LEAST ONE SHOW THAT WEEK & WILL BE AT  AT LEAST ONE MORE NEXT WEEKEND relentlessly parading their dogs round & round for sometimes over an hour in the "ring" & I have to say that I strongly disagree with this practise. :(   Maybe for most breeds a refresher every month or so would be the ideal....unless of course you are at a show most weekends...then maybe your dog would like some time off????

We go for Libby who needs it but Gus is over two and we still take him- we enjoy the social side of it too :)

We mostly have youngsters, but often get older dogs aswell (aswell as people without a dog who come for coffee and chat!!!!)

Alot of people we get come with a puppy, train the puppy, go away for abit, and come back with a new puppy!  But we also get new people, and some people who come weekly anyway! :)  The week before crufts was the big week though, everyone insistes on getting last minute practise with their champions, and their veterns.  Dogs and owners came who haven't been yet this year!!!