I am showing our 7 month old Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy dog tomorrow at Leatherhead. I have been unwell lately and have been lazy with ringcraft practice, so we are turning up for the interest and fun of it if nothing else; I didnt want to deny the possibility that he just may be a winner!! However, I am interested to know from anyone, how do the dogs who "misbehave and play up" fare, even if they have good attributes. The other day, we were practicing, and what should happen but he went one way, I the other and we both ended up on the ground, me flat on my face him tossed over on to his belly. It was funny in front of my family, but oooh I dread that happening tomorrow!!!

it depends on how he acts up-how good he really is-wether the judge gets to see enough of him to know he/she likes him and if the judge is a forgiving sort, some judges expect statues, i for one wouldnt put a mediocre statue over a cracking hooligan!!

He's likely to stand with feet turning outwards, not straight down, bite his lead, and although he is Okay being strung high up on his neck at his head, he just may.....grab on to his lead. Depends what mood hes in. we have such a routine with exercise time at 9am every day that the show will most certainly interfere with all that, not to mention when I will feed him, and with puppy dogs being first in the schedule, I'll just have to go with the flow. The great thing about tomorrows show, is that Buddy will meet his Dad, and his 4 sibling bitches. Wonderful reason to attend dont you think.

the person who owns his dad may be able to give you a few tips. after all he'll want his progeny doing the best that they can--enjoy yourself, you'll look back on it in years to come--AND CRINGE!!!! :rolleyes: --------------------------------- rochelle, is it a championship show or an open one?

Just remember judges have hooligans too :) and most judges I think will forgive a puppy. Most of all have fun!!
Good Luck

thanks Jackie

When Buddy was only 9 months old he was judged best puppy in breed over I think it was four or five others - all nice - but Buddy jumped up - out his paws on the judges chest and gave her a great slobby lick - I thought we'd blown it - but she said "what did I expect he's a puppy" - she was so pleased to see a happy dog with the typical Cocker bustling bottomn than a characterless statue. So good luck tomorrow - the first show is always so daunting - you're full of hope and expectation - but the pup often has other ideas - like who can I pounce on next so that I can get their attention - lol:D

Look forward to hearing the results

Pam n the boys

Well if that's what it takes to win, Pam - we're there :D :D :D Holly is a very licky dog and it has been known for her to fall over because she's wagging her tail so much :D

Fiona
x x x

Hi Pam, guess what, my Ridgeback is called Buddy!!! Thanks for the encouragement. I'll let you know how it went.

Fingers and paws crossed for you Rochelle - with his name he can;t go far wrong - lol:D

Pam n the boys

hi,
you should see me try to show indi, a 9 month old siberian husky! he jumps around like he has a rocket up his bum! seriously, i think i have done well if he manages to keep 1 foot on the ground never mind stand and move properly! most judges do not like this behaviour at all, but it is perfectly natural for pups and especially livley working breeds like sibes. i have found in the 4 shows i have been too most judges will try to go over him and when he starts behaving like a puppy they seem to lose pateince and start tutting and sighing and just give him a quick glance with their hands. however saying that last week the judge was very good with the pups and let me move him a couple of times and was really patient with them and he settled down really well, although he still tried to jump up and kiss the judge! despite all that she placed him first in the puppy class and then gave him best pup of breed! i would not worry about him playing up, he is just a baby! good luck,
kelly + boys

Good luck- even if he doesn't behave it'll still be nice to see his Dad and Sisters:)

Stacey x x x

You're not 25/26yrs old are your Rochelle? It's just that I went to school with a Rochelle and it's such and unusual name I was wondering if you were the same girl I knew at school?

Fiona
x x x

Hi, no I am 44. Actually yesterday was my birthday. Yes Rochelle is a bit unusual.

Now for what happened today. No I did not trip up, but unfortunately and not surprising we didnt make it even 5th place.. Perhaps he is under trained in the ring (that's an understatement). There were puppies there so well behaved, so well trained. Their feet just went exactly where they were put.

But, yes, I got to see Buddies dad, his grand dad, his 4 sisters, and one of his sisters won best puppy bitch. It makes me wonder whether I want to do this again, if he got no-where

Course you should do it again- remember 'if at first you don't succeed try, try again';) Make sure you brush up a bit on his skills:)-or is a bit an understatement;) It must have been nice though to see his family. I've already arranged to meet up with my dogs family and the breeder in October and she's only 8 weeks:) Stick with it or at least have a few more go's before ruling him out completely:)

Stacey x x x

hi rochelle,
i would still have another go, i am sure your pup will calm down eventually. we also had a show yesterday and indi was as lively as ever and went mad as usual when the judge tried to go over him. he aslo knew the other pup in the ring and we had a job keeping them seperate! but the judge was very good and patient and let me move him a couple of times to settle him down. he then won 1st in the puppy class and then took best puppy in breed. i would not worry about him playing up i know it can be a bit embarrasing beleive me i have had plenty of tuts and dissaproving glares and coments when indi starts, in fact me and my friend with a husky got told off at another show cos out 2 were playing and making such a racket! i would practice more and enter a few more shows before you decide to give up.

Rochelle

Sorry you didn't get a place - but you did get some very valuable experience. Please don't give up after the first show. It takes time, perseverance and just a little luck;)

If it turns out neither of you enjoy it - then by all means try something else - but one show is nothing - I've come away from shows with best Puppy one week and nothing the next - it's how it goes.

Good luck for the future.

Pam n the boys

You are all so encouraging. Thanks so much. I am signing up to a local ringcraft group, which will definately help.

Rochelle, I went to Bath show and my 19 month old, who is very new to showing and not used to being on grass, :O behaved so badly that the judge thought I was new to showing :O and was being ever so sweet tying to help me :O by explaining what I should do to make him behave and the sort of collar I should buy for him. :O He was so nice I did not say anything to make him change his view, :O only hope I don't meet him when I'm judging, :O don't know who will be most embarased. :O :O :O :O Jackie H

PS We did not get placed either, but I will go again & again & again & again. He should have learned by the time he is in Veteran.

Hope he isn't at Bournemouth then. You should have seen Madam Jozi (his first Cousin) in the breeders stakes bounding along on my right! I went in with four dogs, two per handler, but it is not to be recomended, definately need one dog per handler due to the way they are choosing to judge the classes! Not like Brace or Team or Stud/brood bitch classes.

My Champion bitch (age 2 1/2) also came into the Elkhound ring as if shot out of a cannon (her Mum had just won Limit so she was standing ringside for a quick change over. We were unlucky that conditions re mud were so bad, that dogs had to be taken straight from bench to ring without a warm up, not ideal for energetic elkies!!!!!

Took her in the champ stakes, and trotted her at show speed all the way to the Main ring marquee. she behaved perfectly for the judge, no wrigling with teeth, or fidgeting while being gone over, and moved with perfect composure around the very big ring, result, we got binned with the Sharpei and two or three others when he shortlisted nearly ALL the others:D I was chuffed with how grown up she had been!

Windsor here we come!