hi all
just 1 question.... I have a 8 month old puppy who is a show dog he was  in a show at 6 months and the critique said that 'needs more practis' but that mean me or  my dog???? i take him to junior handling every week. How much practise should i do at home?
thanks KD (karens daughter)

Could be either one of you or both ;)   In any event if that was from 2 months ago and you've been going to handling classes regularly since then hopfully your both working together more as a team now :)

I don't do much ring training with mine as it's the sort of breed which bores easily and would be inclined to switch off with constant practice.  Why don't you ask the person running your handling class to assess how you're doing and what areas if any you can improve on?

Good luck, Teri :)

A bit of both I would think but don't forget he was only 6 months old and I presume tht it would be your pups first show?  Even I make mistakes and I've been at it for about ooh, let me think, 16 years!!

Probably both - I got one when Henry was in junior that said 'dog and handler could both benefit from ringcraft'! :-D

i got one of them when merlin was about 14 months old he had been attending ringcraft since he was 15 weeks old only missed about two weeks in all that time, but he was just a prat to show, now my other boy who is 14 months now has been step perfect since the day i bought him home sometimes it is the dog, please ask your ringcraft trainer if they think that you and your dog have improved and ask them what you can do to improve more if you need be, but don't forget you push your pup to hard and he could go flat and not like it any more it is meant to be fun for him so let it be, and he was only a baby at 6 months what did the judge want a statue, you'll be lucky, have fun and keep us informed on how you get on
carol

If it's handling then it's probs about you.  Practise can't be done in a short time to get to a high level.  How much work are you doing at home?  I ask the juniors I train to practise afew times during the weeks lesson and try to give them somethign they can work on and improve. 

Some do practise and they take it all in, others practise and find it harder (like I always did)

You are new to showing and in JH classes you are against people who have been pracitising for years :)

It was an open show, and she took puppy straight from ring to next ring where they delayed to wait for her to take part in the junior handling (6-11)
she was actually 2nd and qualified for Richmond. He was being so good that she didn't change him for a biddable Dachsie who she was to take in for JH. I wonder is it not the 'Done Thing' for a child to show in the classes? Perhaps it's not taken so seriously by judges, which does seem a bit unfair.
very pleased to hear any feedback.
Karen

My daughter has been showing in breed classes since she was 8.She has had some good placings and regularly judges comment on her handling and the dogs affinity with her.
If the child is good enough and the dog is good enough the places shouldn't be affected
Archer

Jennyb59's daughter shows the dogs too and has been placed before now!  She's getting really good at it too and SWD's can sometimes have a mind of their own :d

My 8yr old daughter shows my pups for me. At the first show, she got a 3rd and a 2nd, and I was sooo thrilled!
Alot of people came to the ring to watch, as she handled two, 8month old pekingese puppies, and to be honest they only walk if they want to.
I have never been so proud! My daughter will continue to show the dogs as she thoroughly enjoys it. We have not been to a champ show yet with the pups, but I would still let her take them in. Just waiting for the critique, which I will probably frame!

hi my junior handling class is on the guernsey kennel club website if any one wants to look at my profile it is at : http://www.guernseydogclub.org.gg/ thanks for all the replies hope to hear from u again soon
K D (Karens Daughter)

There's a few youngsters showing Cavaliers round here - one in particular has a great bond with her little dog and often gets placed very well in breed, as she really shows the dog to its best advantage. :-)

I am glad to know that they aren't frowned upon and do get placed on merit. I wasn't sure it would be the case.
Karen

Yeah age doesnt make a different that much, im 16 and have had lots of high placing with my dogs, like the RCC when there were lots of 'faces' in the ring and people who had been in the breed longer than me. If the judge is fair, they will give it to the dog who deserves it.

Sarah xxx