Hi, I`m going to my first ring craft tonight and i`m so nervous.  I`m taking my 11 month old staffi, but she`s so hyper, i find it funny cos she sooo cute. Will they be annoyed if she plays up any advice will be greatfully recieved.  Also any tips for my nerves im terrified.
Thanks
Deb

Hi Deb, I know its tough when it is your first time at ring craft but I bet once you get there you'll feel better! and don't worry about your girl, every dog there is there to learn and improve, and you'll pick up great tips and advice too!
Carol :)

Thanks carol
I`m just not the type of person to stand up in a crowd, but i`ll try it and see.
wish me luck

Don't worry, it's not formal! Relax, explain to the person in charge that you're a complete beginner (everyone was once!) and watch what goes on. Have fun!
:)

Don' t worry, everyone is there for the same purpose! I have always found everyone at my clubs' ring craft classes to be very supportive of new people and puppies, and just think how great you'll feel as the weeks go by and your girl gets better and better! :)
good luck,
Carol

Thanks everone for the support.
Well I done it, I was really nervous but it went ok. We took mum and pup and my friend took her pup (Which is out of same litter), it wasn`t a staffi ring craft so I did feel intimidated cos all the other dogs were doin their stuff but ours jus wanted to kill every dog that they saw lol.  The judges were great and gave loadsa tips but I did think the other dog owners were unimpressed with our noisey pups but, never mind, we goin to keep at it.

I would definatley keep at it, its such a shame to see unringcrafted dogs who are obviously terriefied of being in the ring(not saying all unringcrafted dogs are like this ;) ), its not fair on the poor pup, me and Idõ are going to ringcraft tonight, our 4/5th (?!) week but this week we won't be joining in but its still essential(IMO)that we go as I want to prepare him as much as I can for life as a 'show dog'.
Don't worry about those people, pups are meant to be noisy and a bit naughty, thats all part of the fun :D
Emily

Quote:>.....but ours jus wanted to kill every dog that they saw lol.  <Unquote.

I am assuming you were just joking???

Part of ringcraft is teaching the pups how they should behave, so acting up like this should be discouraged, it is one of the things that gives the breed a bad name, so it is vitally important that others have no excuse to beleive them to be aggressive.  It is also unpleasnat for smaller or more sensitive breeds to be subjecxted to the over exuberance of some pups. 

I am surte no-one minds a bit of puppy antics as long as the owners are seen to be discouraging bad behaviour. :D

but ours jus wanted to kill every dog that they saw lol

Actually if your dogs were like this it wouldn't be a laughing matter. My very very confident & outgoing boy had an Airedale puppy do that to him & he did mean it, result my Cavalier now growls at any dog that looks like an airedale & he does mean it.  Forunately every Staffie he has met has been ok & he is even best mates with a Staffie X bitch that doesn't like any other dog because of her past(she is frightened not aggressive)

So I do hope you were joking about your dogs behaviour

Sorry, mustn't have read the above mentioned quote, will endevour to read the FULL post in future :D
Seriously, though, if your dog(s) do behave like this then you need to come to a solutions as many people, myself included, take young pups to ringcraft to teach them that the whole thing, ie being in a place full of different types of dogs, being touched by strangers etc etc is a good thing and nothing to be afraid of and one bad experience with a dog at ringcraft can really affect a pups confidence :(
I can only agree with the others and hope you were joking.
Emily :)

Yes i was joking,
saying that they were a bit noisy when the other dogs barked first but i did expect that.  My dogs are not aggressive at all.
sorry to have insinuated that they were.
deb

I thought you probably were joking but wanted to make sure it was clear as many people will read your posts, some may have small or nervous dogs and get the worng idea of how ringcraft classes are :D