Hello peeps, does anyone have any ideas of what I could take to stop me getting so nervous in the ring?  I try very hard to think of showing as a day out etc but I still get nervous.  Please note that I have to drive so drinking a bottle of vodka is out!

Hi Lynne,

Stay overnight - then you can have the vodka :P  See it as an investment in future medical health (stress causes sooooo many more ailments than alcohol :P )

There are homeopathic remedies which for some do work but TBH can't say I've tried them.   I know how you feel, I used to take a miniature of brandy with me to shows which I gulped down about 5 minutes before the class (any earlier and I'd have been too giggly) - did make a few eyebrows raise of course but after a couple of minutes I didn't care LOL. 

You could try Calms or Sereneum - both available at Boots :)

HTH, Teri 

Awww Lynne - been there got the t-shirt - to be honest I used to/still do sometimes sing to myself just before it's our time to be gone over - just a nursery rhyme - it's just enough to take my mind off things!

I have heard people using rescue remedy, kalms etc.  Brushing the dog also helps me!

To be honest I don't think anyone ever really stops being a little bit nervous and I think it is a good thing to have a little nerves!? ;)

Good luck Lynne - I know there'll be lots of advice following from others!

but you know it is so embarassing sometimes as my mouth gets so dry and then I try to smile and my lips are stuck to my teeth - no wonder fellow exhibitors give me a wide birth I must look a right walley   My poor little dog I feel so sorry for him!

how about taking some lip balm with you Lynne to moisturise your lips? and maybe have a glass of water - mind you I can't eat or drink until after I've been in the ring!!

You will get less stressed I'm sure!  And your dog loves you no matter what!

meant glass of water before going in of course not in the ring!!!

>mind you I can't eat or drink until after I've been in the ring!!

me either! and then when somebody is eating a bacon sandwich next to you before your about to go in the ring! Yuck! i have to move away lol! 

Have some tics tacs or other small sweets to suck for your dry mouth phase :)

Remember everyone in the ring is or at one time has experienced the same feeling.   I still get nervous occasionally - but am as cool as a cucumber if handling someone else's dogs :rolleyes:   So much easier that way - no pressure!

Now I just play with my dogs while waiting in the line up for them to be gone over and immediately after if there are more dogs to be seen by the judge.   Depending on your class sizes of course that may not be an option but I find it more stressful (even to watch) having a dog "showing" as soon as it enters the rings until it leaves.  You'll both enjoy the experience more if you can find a fun element that's appropriate in the ring (i.e. don't throw a frisbee :D )

Hope you do OK - I'm sure you're nerves are not warranted.
Best of luck,  Teri :)

I'm new to this game too! I found if I talk to myself in my head  ( hope its in my head! ) LOL I go through the things I need to remember to do eg: get her legs in the right place  brush her coat (long coated breed) keep her head up ...smile ..smile.. smile..(hubby says I frown and look miserable but I know I'm consentrating!!)   oh! and watch the judge !!! by the time I've finished chatting to myself... its over...LOL

Edit to add:
just re-read this I sound like a nut case !!!!

well at least you are concentrating - i'm just singing a childs nursery rhyme :) - again hope it's in my head too!  smiling that's a good idea!  watching the judge yes - very important!

You should try Bach's Rescue Remedy, or one of the Bachs remedies?

Yep, four of them and I'm anybody's :D

Someone told me to always have polo mints to hand before you go in the ring, also meant to not allow the "nervous vibes" to waft into the nostrils of your dog too!! I did upgrade to extra strong mints and get through at least 1 packet! Been showing for many years and I still get nervous before I go in the ring although not as bad as I used to be ie. almost throwing up in the ring on 1 or 2 occasions!!
Rescue remedy also helps as do Kalms, a herbal tablet avaliable from Boots etc.

Hi
It took me almost 7 Months to finally take my boy in the Ring. Nerves would just get too much for me.
I found taking 'Valerian Root' capsules from the health shop helped me. Don't get me wrong I am still nervous but it just takes the edge off it.

I used Rescue Remedy ( i think?) for my university exams as i was SOOOO nervous for those, and that really calmed me down! lol

Thankfully, after about 15 years of horse showing and showjumping i didn't actually get too nervous in the ring with the dogs, but i would suggest trying some companions shows (you dont say if these are what you're doing or if they're champ/open shows?).  I find these have a very calm, relaxed atmosphere and many of the dogs are pets so a lot of the handlers aren't entirely sure what they're doing!!  Just have a go at those to get your confidence in the ring, then try the bigger shows. 

In the ring i always give my dog a cuddle and a stroke while we're waiting in line (obviously only when the judge isn't looking!!) and that always keeps me calm, and just dont think about people looking at you, they're all looking at you're dog anyway! :)

>Have some tics tacs or other small sweets to suck for your dry mouth phase

Just dont get them mixed up with your dog treats! Or you could end up witha mouth full of liver or cheese! :D lol and you dong might not be inpressed! :D

what is a dong??

I know you mean dog just wondered how do...you impress a dong!!  :D

Lol you never heard of a dong?! Blimey i though you were clever as well! :rolleyes: :D Lol ok ok! its a well known fact that i can not type! lol Well i can type just seem to press all the wrong buttons :D :D

sarah xxxx