Hi all

How many of you go to shows on your own?
I am going to my first open show in a couple of weeks, and hubby has made it quite clear he won't be coming with me. I have social anxiety, and am very nervous about the whole thing. As I am new to showing I don't know anyone yet, so will be totally on my own.:-( 
Will I be able to leave my bag and things by the judges table while I am in my class? And is it acceptable to do things like take my dog into the toilets with me?
Sorry if these are daft questions, I am just getting in a bit of a panic and want to know what to expect.

Thanks

Rachael

i go to quite a few show by myself,i used to suffer from agraphobia, and now and again i can feel the symptons starting to creep up on me now and again i can be very nervous about going to shows by myself but once i am there with doggy people my nervous are not so bad, the things i would say do, take a cage when you are buy yourself it helps an awful lot, i go to quite a few leisure centres and they do not allow dogs past certain points in the centre so if the toilets are in the no dog area you would have to ask someone to hold your dog while you nip to the loo, so a cage you could put your dog in, also if you have a big dog like a gsd some of the toilets and porta loos are to small to fit in a big dog, i take the basics with me when i am buy myself i find everything i need fits into my bumbag money,carkeys etc the only bag i have with me is the grooming and food bag and i leave this on top of the dog cage.
i can't think of anything else at the moment, but go along and enjoy yourself but i do know how bad it can be to make the effort to go and you would rather make excuses not to, but go all your fears will disepear once you get there and start talking to other people, even just saying hello if not to them talking and stroking their dogs will give you something to say to the people let me know how you get on
carol

Hi Carol

Thanks for your reply, that has put my mind at rest a bit! I have a dobermann, so yes he would probably be too big to fit in a small loo
I have crates, but they are huge and not very portable. So will have to look for a more suitable one- any recomendations as to what type would be best?
Actually if I put it to hubby that if he doesn't come I will have to spend money on a new crate, it may persuade him to change his mind!!! :-D

Thanks again

Rachael

Which show are you going to, Rachael? Perhaps a Champdogger could meet up with you, so at least you 'know' someone?

M.

It is a breed club show. South east of england dobermann club.

Thanks for all your replies everyone, I am feeling a bit better already!!

Rachael

I get lifts to shows, but am effectively a lone shower.  I wear a bum bag with all my valuables like keys purse bank card in, as well as bait and show schedule comb etc.  It isn't particularly attractive, but practical.

I used to and sometimes still do take my dog to the loo with me, but at some venues (Leisure centres) the dogs aren't allowed in other parts of the building.

The light and Easy crate I have makes life so much easier as I can have all my stuff in back pack, dogs in one hand, and light crate in other.

Hi Rach,

I show dobermanns but wont be at that open show as its a bit far for me.  Have you entered any Champ Shows.  I would be happy to meet you and show you the ropes as it can be a bit daunting.  You'll love it though once you get the hang of it, I go on my own and you soon get used to juggling dogs and bags etc. :-)

Let me know. :-)

Hi Fiona

Thanks for your kind offer. I have not entered any champ shows yet, but will certainly contact you if I do. It would be great to meet up with someone.
I kind of know you from the dobe uk forum, and you have always been very helpful.
I hope to be able to meet some others from that forum at the show.
Thanks

Rachael

Hi Rachel,

Thank you for your nice comments :-)

Good Luck at the show, let us know how you get on. 

It is a shame he won't go...I have to drag mine to anything dog!  But for 20 years I've gone willingly to war museums, air shows, architectural exhibitions and the like so fair's fair!

We went to our first open show this weekend..before then we went to one breed show.  I think you shoud find it okay..people are very helpful and it is a friendly relaxing atmosphere.

People seem to take loads of stuff and bag their area to set up camp... we never knew to do that so it is was too hot and exhausting for us and our dogs not to have a safe base.   So ideally take a crate... if you but a new one use it before to get the dog the feeling that this is part of home.  

If it is outside make sure you and your dog are weather protected ..from the heat of the sun or rain etc....we noticed people put thick layes  over the crates to keep out the heat or used space blankets and tgey took haps of provisions/equipment... Too much for you to carry on your on so ideally find out what the essentials are.

We also found we actually knew heaps of people at the show. I guess you just get to know the keen people out and about and also very quickly you will find you know people at the shows because there are always people ready to help.

Also all the people there are different so no one stands out as different... some are smart, some are casual, some happy, some grumpy, some confident, some not so confident, some loud, some quiet.  Just the normal mix of people you will find in any shopping strteet so ther is no worry about the fearful show folk steryotype  that gets banded about.

Well have fun..my dogs are 18 months old nd I only just plucked up courage to make the first open show with my family so talk about being terrified!   You will be fine.   Have a good time.

I go to shows mainly on my own. I am lucky at Champ shows as I bench with my breeder but now after showing for a few years I know some lovely people in the breed, so I'm never alone.
I do go to open shows and there can be times where I don't know anybody.
The main thing to remember is get there early and be organised. A crate is useful and a trolley for your things.
Remember you have your best friend with you to keep you company so you're not alone. I always find whoever I cage next to is always happy to keep an eye on your dog whilst you pop to the loo and you return the favour to them.
Enjoy your first show.

You'll find that in a while, when you get to know some people in the breed, you can't wait to get to the shows to see all your friends and leave the moaning old hubby behind! I much prefer it when he doesn't go with me! Good luck at your show.

husky have to agree with you i much prefer it when grumpy guts stops at home and i can go to the shows
carol

Hi Rachael,

I often go to shows on my own now, not because my partner doesn't want to come (he came to them all when we were looking or only had the one dog), but because we now have the three dogs. If I enter only one of them then he stays behind to look after the others :)

I have found everyone to be incredibly helpful if you are on your own and all I take with me is a small rucksack, which I ask the steward if I can leave by the table whilst I am in the ring and this has always been ok.

Good luck! I'm sure you will have a great time :)

I have been showing for about 14 years now. Some of the time I go on my own, sometimes with friends or family. I show 2 dogs regularly. I recently bought a canvas crate and have found it a godsend ;) I now don't have to find someone to hold one dog while I'm in the ring with the other (or made a quick visit to the loo ) The only thing I would say about using a soft/canvas crate is make sure that the dog is used to being in a crate before you take it to a show. I have heard of dogs chewing their way out of them :rolleyes: The metal cages are great, but can be very heavy, especially if you are trying to make your dog go in one direction when it would rather say hello to all the dogs you are passing :D

Good luck in your new venture :) I'm sure there will be someone there who will help you.

I usually go alone, but keep trying to pick shows where one of my friends is going so I have someone to talk to. My OH thinks it's really dull, so I leave him at home with my other dogs! He does come to Crufts though, having made a rash promise never thinking one of mine would actually qualify! I agree with the warning about soft crates - my boy once chewed a small hole in one, not enough to get out of, but given time....! He never does this on long car journeys though, just at the show!

I went (to show) at my first open show this weekend. On my own, except the dog and 2 small children!

I was going to go with my friend but she had to work a the last minute as did OH. So, me, dog, and son age 4 and daughter age 14 mths went. It was incrediably hot and i got there way too early and had to wait for 17 classes before mine!

But it was good fun, (my son loves dog shows, he even said to me last weekend "after katies birthday party can we go to a dog show?" so he is well trained ;-)  )

By the time my class came around my baby had had enough and was crying a bit. I left her in the pushchair with her brother both in clear sight of my ring and my bag with mney etc in the net under the pushchair, i figured anyone brave enough to disturb a crying baby was welcome to the 21p in my purse!

Anyway as i was in the ring i could hear the crying getting louder and my lovely son was trying his best to consol his sister with biscuits and crisps and even rocking the pushchair :-) but a nice lady at the ringside saw what was happening and asked if they were mine and would i like her to go over and sing to the baby to quieten her down. Which i did so she did (if you see what i mean!)

I had never seen this lady before but she went and spent time with them and cheered them both up no end (though i dread what my son was talking to her so animatedly about :rolleyes: :D  )what a brave woman and i couldn't thank her enough.

I got a 2nd which i was pleased with and glad i didn't have to stay for BOB! we left straight away and had all had a good day. I don't think i would be in a rush to do it again though!

bite the bullet and go, you'll really enjoy yourself, and if you dont, well its only one day out of your life! ;-)

Oh dear, young children and dogs shows I remember my youngest (now 12) one year at SKC. I was in the ring and had left her in her buggy being watched by a friend. Or so I thought. She climbed out of her buggy and joined me in the ring ;) Always made sure I left her with someone who knew kids after that :D

Aw, well done to your son! I'm not much for kids but that showed great presence of mind for one so young! :-)

Hi all

Thanks for all your replies and advice. Hubby has now said he will come to this show as it's my first one, so at least that will make things easier. I will definitely get a soft crate for the future though.
Will let you all know how we get on.

Thanks again

Rachael

Well done on the persuasion Rachael - have fun, and hope your hubby can bear it too!! :-)