Hey, I am showing at Birmingham at the weekend (first champ show, and only second show for both me and my dog aaaaahhhhhhhhhh)
Anyway i was just wondering how many of you are going and if you have any tips for me.
I am so scared and really excited at the same time.
Thanks
Anna

Good luck Anna   I shall be there on Sunday :)

Edited to add (cos was too quick hitting send!) Rescue Remedy :D  You'll be fine

Hi Anna,

You'll love it - just remember that we've all had a first time champ show appearance so you're not the only one to have got into a tizzy beforehand ;)  Everything will be fine - just make sure you get there at least an hour before judging so you have time to settle your dog, give him/her a bit of exercise, find your bench and ring number (which will be on your bench) and then just smile and say "hi" to everyone you come across in your own breed - most folks are sympathetic to new comers, especially when they have time to chat and not just before preparing to go into the ring.

We're showing there on Sunday - what day are you on?

Teri :)

Thanks every one. I am there on Saturday.
I am not expecting to do very well, but just have fun and practise. I have no idea what i am like as a handler , I suppose i will just wait and see.

Sorry won't be going first champ (post Crufts) will be Southern Counties - gosh it's nearly a year since my first one - I was soooooooooo nervous too.

Max's breeder came to watch and was so supportive - I looked at the video the other day and boy I was a terrible handler - kept fidgeting with his legs continously!  I hope I have improved (think I have because I won a cup at ringcraft for most improved handler - not sure what that says really! must have been very bad!! :-D)

We didn't get placed in his first class and got 2nd out of 2 in the other class.  But it didn't put me off and at the next champ show we did really well - got a 3rd and 2nd!
Try and enjoy the day and try not to be too nervous - but it is easier said and done!

But yep the excitement of it is great isn't it too....

We have made such alot of friends this year and see it as a social occassion to catch up with people as well as showing the dogs!

Good luck Anna - do let us know how you do..

I hope I have improved (think I have because I won a cup at ringcraft for most improved handler - not sure what that says really! must have been very bad!!

No you wernt really bad you dafty, but unlike some, you were willing to watch, listen, and learn, and its nice having friendly smiley faces, and someone who you can share a joke or three with, sound as a pound that pup, lol

Jenny 

Thanks Jenny - that's v. v. sweet of you - most unlike you too!!! :-D  LOL - how is that boy of yours!?   HOpefully see you Monday (couldn't go this week as Ken in US so on child duty!!)

God Jenny if you've got a most improved handler at your age then well I could be brilliant by the time I reach it :d :d

Right, I've run away and hid now and won't be seen at any shows this year!!!

Huh pitty they dont have any emoticons for raspberry blowing on here, it wasnt me who won the cup it was Rachel, theyve given up trying to teach me, lol.

You wait I'll set my size of a donkey,thats wonky,(hips) new boy on you, hee hee, and the monster puppy boy Archie,

Good luck!  You will be fine.  I've got some friends where it's only there 2nd show and first champ show on the sunday.

The best tip I can give you is to relax and enjoy.  If you don't then everything will go wrong.  It's just a day out.  I no-longer see dog shows as a day going to show my dog, but a day to meet up with and make friends and to show the dog while you are there. :)

Good luck!!!

I will be there on the Sunday

Good luck Anna :)

We've not done many Champ shows, mind you i get nervous at Champ or Opens, it makes no difference :D

Good idea about the rescue remedy i was downing it like water at Crufts :D  I swear that when it was my turn to go in the ring a strange calm overtook me, wonderful stuff!!  Usually we use it for our other dog when it's firework time!

Good luck. Count to ten and pretend nobody else is there. Watch the judge all the time. 

Remember it is just fun :-)

Anna - been thinking about more practical tips for you...

Make a list of all the things you need to take (water, benching chain, show lead, bed, food (for you and dog if necessary) etc.) then pack them the night before!

Don't go first in the ring - go third/fourth then you can watch the others before your turn to see what they do - what the judge asks of them - triangle then up and down to corner or straight line etc. or triangle then back to end - does the judge watch them go to the end of the line up - if yes you know you need to still have your dog in control.

Breathe!

Smile!

But most of all HAVE FUN!

Hope this Helps,

Rachel

Good luck Anna :)

We will be there on Sunday - hope the weather warms up a bit :)

Dee

One slight thing that I wasn't told. If the benches seem empty of people they are all probably at the ringside. Or in the ring :) At my first ever Champ show we sat at the benches wondering where everyone was. We missed our class Andrew Brace was judging too :D

I don't have a benching chain. And can't get one until after saturday. I am hoping my crate will fit but if not will a dog coupling chain do? - they look very similar to a benching chain but don't have two rings.
You can see i am new at this.

Anything that can secure your dog to the bench is fine; it doesn't have to be a specific design of chain. :) Mine aren't chewers so in the past I've simply tied their leads to the securing rings at the back of the bench.

And of course there are stalls at the show ;) you may be able to pick one up, along with other doggy things :D

yeah to go shopping for doggy products tho means getting rid of my parents - and i don't think they are silly enough to think me window shopping at a dog show would ever happen without at least one product being brought. No i am not that bad. I usually only buy stuff when their old stuff breaks (thinks to self - go find the scissors :D).

Thanks for putting my mind at rest - she isn't a chewer so her lead should be fine.

Thanks again.

It is actually a rule that they are secured by a chain to their benches, but I doubt anyone would notice, but it is safer to have a chain, just in case she took it into her head to chew the lead..

Thanks for that. I will have to buy a coupling lead and use that until i can buy a proper one

I use a chain coupler and also an old chain lead (minus the handle and thread the rest through the large ring it was attached too) at times as spare benching chains.

Ditto - we bought ours at our first show!  I held the boy whilst OH went and picked one up!!  I did take a lead that had two rings just in case we couldn't get one!

Anna you will have a lovely day!

Have a good day Anna, and let us all know how you get on :)

Ooooh Anna!! :D All the very best of luck, cant wait to hear how you get on!but most of all hope you both get to really enjoy yourselves..Have a great day and go Knock their socks off Girl!! :D
 

Thanks Husky Gal you always manage to make me smile they way you put things :D

You won't be alone. Birmingham will be our first champ show too. I've had Pan out on the drive all week practicing and thankfuly I'm getting the hang of it now but it has taken me ages, i'm not too coordinated :rolleyes:. Good luck.

Good luck Anna.
And good luck Mutty.

Hope you have a really good time.:-)

Donna

good luck mutty.

Good luck to you both!

OK really scared now. can anyone check if i have everything i need:
rug for her to lie on
benching chain
show lead
water bowl
brush
chamois leather
flannel for slobber
treats
towel
tissues

for me:
treat bag
jacket
nice trowsers
Ringclip

Passes. Don't forget your passes :)

Yep got them ready. just forgot to write them down. Thanks tho. Can you imagine driving all that way and not being able to get in.
Thanks

Ok I am so excited Ziggi got VHC in Open Bitch (the entrance got mixed up so i entered the wrong class - but it just made it so much better)
I was so pleased as i just wasn't expecting anything :D
Thanks for all your kind words.
Anna
Didn't get anything in YKC handling tho :(

Good for you, and I hope you have loads more sucesses in the future. Oh and Ziggi too of course.