Just won our handling class out of 5 at our ringcraft match night, only the 2nd time we've won it! Got Best Puppy Handler in Match too, though that was only out of 2! Not bad for someone whose handling was bluntly described as 'crap' 2 years ago! :-)

Well done Lucy - You go show 'em girl :D

Tara x

If they have turned you around that quickly perhaps I should send my husband over to get a few tips ;)

Well done

Thanks, they are pretty good on handling stacked dogs, but most of how to bait a free standing dog I have just picked up as I went along. Last time I got Reserve Best Handler in Match it was a friend of mine judging and several people were joking that that was the reason, so it was nice to be able to say this time I didn't know the judge! :-D

How do you do the winking smileys?

Well done Lucy......So how you should find adult handling classes at a show and see how you do their.... ;) if It's a qualifier you might end up at adult handler finals!!!! :D

All handlers start of "cr*p" and then progress...well most of them prgress... :D

btw ; ) = ;) but without spaces!!!!!

;-) Hooray, that's another one I've learned!

I have vaguely considered entering adult handling at the odd open show lately, might have to think about it more seriously. Problem is Cavalier handlers rarely get anything. I know the dog you handle has to be entered in a breed or AV class, but does he have to actually go in the ring? My poor Yankee is too embarrassing to take in the ring with no coat, but because the style of handling is so much more fussy with them, he'd be better for handling! ;-)

I have and my mum has put up cavvie handlers ;)  infact IMO yank handlers can be toooo fussy :)

All I can say is go for it, it's another class to enter, normally cheeper and in adult handling wine is on offer...for a 17 year old (me) thats a good thing! :D

Well I'm not a polished Yankee handler that's for sure - because my boy doesn't do much ring training it takes all my 'skill' to keep him stood at all, never mind stacked perfectly!! I always find the problem with Cavalier handling is that nearly all the handling is done behind the scenes when you teach the dog to stand correctly and move on a loose lead!

I don't drink wine, can I have chocolate please? :-D

Oooh I'm glad you said "I always find the problem with Cavalier handling is that nearly all the handling is done behind the scenes when you teach the dog to stand correctly and move on a loose lead!"

Because I have just written something that says along the lines of "a free standing dog will take alot of hard work and effort"  If someone in handling can stand their free stood dog in a perfect stance with the dog looking at them and paying attention then that is a good handler.... (of course IMO) :)

It certainly does take a lot of time to teach them, but the advantage is that I can give my 3 year old boy to my friend who has done very little handling and she can get 2nd at a companion show because the dog does all the work and she just has to hold the lead and know what a triangle is!! :-D She probably would have won the class if the judge hadn't confused her about his age - the judge queried it when she correctly said he was 3, so she changed her answer!