Just a reminder that there is a companion dog show at Arbour Vale School, Stoke Road, Slough this weekend Sunday 3rd July 2005 (clashes with Windsor Champ Show).  4 pedigree classes and 17 fun ones.  Free ringside parking, classes £1, entries from 12.30 p.m. and judging (2 rings) 1.30 p.m. 

Judges Pedigree - Tom Harrison (he has Borzoi's, Whippets & Italian Greyhounds) & Novelty - Ann Dickson (she has GSD's, Doberman's & Poodles).

Enquiries Val 01753 571785 or 07890 003 396
             Kay 01753 524501

is there any junior handling. If so, what judge?
from lauren

Yes there is a Junior Handling Class and the judge will be Ann Dickson.

I know there is a trophy & Best Junior Handler Rosette (and i think a diploma) on offer plus a prize for every entrant in the class.

Looking forward to going with 2 crazy sibes and 1 akita.
Terry

Noooo! Haha, went to this show today. Things didnt go quite as planned! Disaster to be more accurate! The baby was six months today, and her stand looks fab, really seemed to catch the judges eye. It came time for the judge to go over her. She was stood nicely and the judge placed his hands over her and she jumped a mile! then wouldnt let him even touch her! Of course we lost it after this, her stand also then went and she had a really bad time of it! Then i thought it might be something to do with a male judge, we try the female judge, i tell the judge the problem she calls her over, saffies there backing up on the end of the lead like were trying to throw her off a mountian or something! She seems to have a fear of people that we never new anything about! I took her out after the show and tried to get a few people to stroke her the same thing happened! she even let out a growl! i dont know what we're gonna do, its our first open show nxt sunday. then were booked up every weekend till october with shows! this is a disaster! My mother and I are going to do intensive socialistion this week, getting her to be stroked by people! but that was a shock i was not expecting!

So sorry to hear about what happened, a similar thing happened to me a few years ago but we worked through it in the end.  I helped out at the show as i knew the pedigree judge well.  I am sure that he would remember so would you like me to ask him what he thought about your puppy before it went wrong.  What breed is she.

Shes a Golden Retriever. You dont have to ask its okay! How did you manage to get over this situation when it happened to you? She seems to be a lot better today, saying hello to fellow dog walkers. It might have just been the situation which scared her a bit as she seems to be in the stage where she finds everything a little bit scary! Even though she was fine with them before!

The thing we did first of all was for my mum to hold her and i kept going over her, then we would change over.  I think it made her get used to someone touching her all over.  We then continued with the companion shows and like you we got people to stroke her.  It took a little while, but she gradually got better, we were entered in a few shows, we went and explained to the judge (luckily most of the judges took their time with her and didn't make sudden movements).  I think you are doing the correct thing as the more people she meets the better she will become especially with lots of praise.  Good luck

Thanks for the advice. Its nice to hear that she isnt the only dog scared of people! It was a good show in nice ground with lots of friendly people my dad was in his element talking to as many people as he could! Might see you in the future at other southern shows!