Hi all, do you use feed your dogs before a show or do you feed them when you come home?

Warm regards susan

Our dogs get breakfast and tea so I would feed before a show and after....just to be awkward!!! But because Idõ gets car sick I like to feed him at least an hour, preferably more before we get in the car and I'll also wait a bit after we've got back just for him to calm down before I feed him!

I don't think he'd cope without being fed, and I think it makes them focus a bit more when they aren't constantly after food :D I use treats in the ring but I find if he's already eaten he is more willing to work rather than go loopy for it!!!

Emily

Edited to add, if we had got up really early(ie like 4am)to go to a show I would feed him when I got there, as I have done this in the past with the girls but I would make sure he wasn't going in the ring with a full belly!!!

My boys get a little bit of chicken before the shows because they get very excited & wouldn't eat a full meal anyway, they get chicken as bait in the ring & after they have been in their classes & some to take the "edge"off before they go in the ring

They have their main meal when they get home

I always try and feed my skinnier dogs before a show but the others wait until they get home but then I usually feed in the evening anyway apart from beagie.  I find it makes them want a pooh and if you have dogs like mine they dont go when they are out and it makes the fidgity in the ring.  ;)

I don't feed mine on the morning of the show, makes them more eager for their titbits.  They have something to eat after they've been in the ring and then their proper meal when we get home. 

When I was showing I used to stick to their normal routine - they had their breakfast and supper as normal.
:)

Thanks everyone, for the info, i'm sooo nervous.

Warm regards Susan

My dogs are fed in the evening, and also we travel in other peoples cars so I daren't risk them being travel sick :D 

They get fed when they come home.

My lot are fed twice (the veteran gets 3 feeds), so they always have breakfast before they go to a show and tea when they get back. 
I agree that if it's a really early start, like 4 or 5 am, they I would either feed them on arrival or stop on the way.  Mine are great travelers and are fine on a full stomach.

When I have a puppy out, I always take an extra lunch time feed, even when they have moved onto 2 feeds.  It's a long day for a baby flatcoat without food!! :)

I know they need to be fed but i worry about bloat, especially if the dog gets excited.  So i'm thinking feed after but then she's going to be starving.

Warm regards Susan

I feed mine as normal they get fed twice a day.
So they still have breakfast before we set out to the show even if it's at 4am.
Then on our return they get fed in the evening as normal.

I am lucky as I don't have dogs that get travel sick.
They are still interested in their treats at the show as they are pigs in Boxer guise :D

I think most people find out what suits their own dogs and then just go with it.
There's no right or wrong way.

Thanks boxercrazy

Warm regards Susan

Susan i fed mine normally with regards to bloat 2 hrs before exercise, she was fed at 5.30am and we left for the show at 7.30am.

I did give her a 3rd less though and took the remainder with me to use as treats.

Hi mygirl thanks i have just read in a book it's best to give three thirds.

Warm regards Susan

I'm sure its down to the individual i worry endlessly about bloat and am extra cautious as we have an hour travelling to the vets.
I have one that would not stress if shown the worst scenario possible but one that would stress at a heartbeat.

Good luck you know your dog and i would just say go with the guidlines of 2hrs either way.