Puppy's first show is a while off, at the end of September. However, I feel sick just looking at the schedule, so who knows what I'll be like on the day?! :-(

I am intending to do one Canine Club open show on the 20th, then a Championship show on 27th. (Shows where I live are fairly few and far between usually) She will be 7 1/2 months old then.

I haven't the schedule for the 20th yet but on the 27th the classes she is eligible for are Minor Puppy bitch, puppy bitch and junior bitch. I was definitely thinking I wouldn't do Junior bitch, but wondered if I should do one or both of the classes MPB and PB? I am thinking thw show the week before will give her the chance to get used to things a bit.

I have been taking her to ringcraft since 13 week sold, but haven't been for a few weeks as she would stand and be looked at fine, but then would keep stoppping when I was walking her up. My husband was away and it was costing me £20 a night for a babysitter and £20 diesel to get there, so I thought it best to practice at home until she was used to being out and about more and less likely to stop. I have been practising at home though, and getting other people to 'judge' her. I am starting ringcraft again now and can go twice a week. I am worried though that she may stop in the ring. If I think there is anyway she might do this, is it best not to enter at all, or will they accept minor 'misbehaviour' from a puppy and I can just put it down to experience. I am not worried about placing, but don't want to appear rude.

I am very, very lucky to have found someone experienced to help me trim her, so I am sure they will b able to offer advice aswell. I am just panicking. :-/

Any advice anyone can offer would be appreciated. Thankyou!!!

Not sure what breed you have but with my slow maturing breed (Irish) I usually dont repeat in Puppy until they are nearly out of Minor puppy as they can look so out of place. So maybe when they hit 8 months old start doing puppy too. Depends on the breed though and your pup in particular.

Personally, and this is MY opinion only ;) , I would - for experience/practise - enter both puppy classes at the first open show. For the second, champ show, I would only enter the puppy class (this goes up to 12 months of age).
When you say she stops, do you mean when you do the 'triangle' or walk up and down? Try holding a treat in you lead hand, she will probably follow then :) worth a try?

And don't panic :)

Thanks.

Do you mind if I ask why only the Puppy class and not Minor puppy for the champ show?

We have tried treats to get her to walk, it doesn't work. She has always walked perfectly on the lead at home, I think she was just getting distracted/over-awed by all the goings on. That was one of the reason I decided to wait until she was a bit more 'experienced' with going out and about, although had it not been for the finacial costs, I my have continued regardless.

She's not that mature for her age at the moment, all gangly, but I will see how she is nearer the show day.

Is it acceptable to enter in advance and then withdraw from a class on the day, or is that seen as rude?

How many classes you enter is personal choice but I would say it usually novices or those chasing Junior Warrant points, who enter multiple classes.
The trick is to put your dog in the class they are most likely to win and a little baby is more likely to do well in MP.
Old hands will bring out a puppy at 8 1/2 months in MP and then again at 11months in PB to ensure that theirs is the most mature in the class.
They also avoid Junior like the plague until absolutely neccessary entering Novice and Maiden to avoid big winners in Junior (sometimes young champions). At the last 2 champ shows the Dog CC was won out of junior in my breed.
However these people often have many dogs to show and you may want to get more experience by entering other classes.
Can I suggest a few things to ponder:-
Most people are looking at the dogs and won't be looking at you, so no need to be uncomfortable about being new-
Judges should expect little puppies to be naughty although in massive classes it is sometimes the little china model who wins but there are 4 other placings too which would be a good start-
Not every good dog wins well as a puppy, dogs mature at different rates so you may have either type so look to the long term.
Entering every class you can, may tire out your baby and rather spoil her experience of showing.
Given that you will probably be in a large class you will get plenty of time to see what's going on as long as you don't go first!

Good luck and enjoy your hobby- it's meant to be fun.

Hi Jackson,

I swear when I first started to show I used to think I would throw up and I am not a nervous person generally. I even chickened out going in the ring a few times at the last min..

I am not much of a centre of attention person though but after a while you get less nervous and realise people are looking at your dog not you, the nervousness or anxious feeling  never goes away completely altogether BUT most people would say they don't want it to either. 

Once you get a few under your belt you'll be fine.

Judges should expect little puppies to be naughty  and the handler :-D

Funny you should say that, I called out to a friend at Windsor whilst in the ring and you should have seen the faces!! You'd have thought I had sworn ( polite version!) in church - some people take it all so seriously :-)

I'm new to showing and am in your breed. Everyone has been very nice. I've never been to a show where you didn't find people happy to answer questions or help. Our classes are large so there's often time for a chat in and out of the ring (16-20 dogs in a small Open ring is friendly by necessity!). There's nothing to be nervous about really. They're judging the dog not you so you only have to stay upright, LOL. Don't be afraid to tell the steward it's your first show, they'll help you out if they see you going astray. I also brought a friend that is experienced at showing with me to both my first open and my first champ show. It's wonderful if you have someone that can guide you through it all. Stop panicking, you'll have a blast. :)

My first show I only entered one class as I wasn't sure how she would do. Caoimhe is pretty bomb-proof but you never know how they'll cope until you get there. I wanted her first show to be really fun for her so she would enjoy showing. It can be tiring for a dog, especially a youngster. She handled it all with aplomb and has never had a bad experience in the ring so we're still having a good time.

Never mind Tooolz
In my breed sometimes you are frightened to breath let alone call out to a friend in case you are accused of double handling!!!!!
And before I unwittingly upset anyone regarding double handling please letr me say that I am against it too , my girl in fact goes much better without any outside attraction and the only time she will see me standing around the ring will be if a handler shows her for me and the placings have been awarded .
I just stand quietly ringside while the critique is done.

Hey Jackson....I've been showing for 10ish years and still to this day get so unbelievably nervous. Bostonchamp show I had to sit away from friends for fear of throwing up if I had to attempt to speak......I actually did throw up just before going back in for BOB.

the best advice I ever was given was ''take your strength from your dog'' . To this day I think of that person saying that as she pushed me into the ring at an open show as someone else handed me the dogs lead. It brings a small grin to my face which in turn makes people look at me wierd.

so TAke your strength from your dog, enjoy the day and above all have fun with your dog.
good luck
Barbara

pS ....not for want of hijacking this post...well done MIssy :-))))) RCC way to go

At the open show, I would enter the Breed and AV puppy classes, or if there are no AV classes I would enter Puppy & Junior for your breed. Then at the Champ show I would enter Minor Puppy & Puppy. 2 classes is enough for a puppy (and you!) but it does give that extra bit of experience. Don't panic, it's only a bit of fun, most people will be very friendly and understanding if you tell them it's your first show. I'm sure you wouldn't anyway, but don't get stressed out or panic or shout at your puppy if she's naughty, any decent judge will allow for high spirited puppies, and I would far rather see a bouncy puppy having a good time than a puppy cowed into submissive obedience. Make sure your puppy has a great time and they will grow up to love showing, and so will you. :-)

Thanks. I don't think I'll get overmy nerves any time soon, but I think all the encouraging posts have helped.

I didn't realise there would be any classes for my puppy ther than the breed ones. What is AV please?

I had considered her getting tired, which I don't want to happen. She is extremely well behaved, but outgoing, the only 'behaviour' I worry about is the stopping, as she then just sits or lays down and won't move! What should I do if that happens in the ring? She really won't be tempted by even the tastiest treats.

In view that some people are highly competitive i would hold back on the champ shows in telling people you are new to the scene as in other competitors who you don't know. I did this for my first champ show and they were so friendly, and then in the ring we ended up being next to each other in the same classes and she kept running her dog up behind mine. I eventually had to stop and turn round and look at her, before continuing on, she then kept her distance.
In the champ shows if you won at minor puppy and then had entered the pup into puppy class and didn't win this then you wouldn't be able to challenge for the best puppy in breed.
Though at the end of the day experience is what is needed when you first start out.
I was nervous for my first open show which was this year and i got placed, to be honest i have been placed at every show i have entered.
The worst show i had nerves with was in my breed show, with so many people watching me being a newbie i was shaking so badly the judge had a little word in my ear about calming down.
I try to ignore others in the ring now and think about my dog and what i can do to make him look good out there in front of the judge. I have watched others in the ring when its their turn and taken tips and pointers on the way they handle their dogs and have tried to copy them in this.

All in all have a good time and there are some lovely people out there at shows, i know i have met some great people and i am hooked on showing.

> What should I do if that happens in the ring?

Keep a treasured toy in your pocket preferably with small squeak - dont let her know you've got it and, as an absolute emergency, squeak and walk briskly. Dont turn and look at her - just walk. Practice this at home and if she follows you for a few steps chuck the toy and let her have it.
She will soon give up the 'handbrake' ploy and think about her squeaky. Ok she'll be a bit OTT- but better that than the problem of what to do if it happens in the ring.
This can be replaced by a brisk command  ( mine is GO)
which means move briskly from A to B and I will make it worth your while :-) and I do.

>> I didn't realise there would be any classes for my puppy ther than the breed ones. What is AV please?

AV - any variety (usually by group, gundog, working, pastoral etc)
AV NSC - any variety not separately classified ( as above AV Gundog NSC etc)
These AV classes are generally held after the breed judging is completed, unless there is a slow judge, and you'll need to remember to withdraw if you've been placed 1st in your breed class so that you can remain unbeaten and be judged in Puppy Group.

I didn't repeat enter puppy breed classes , such as Minor and Puppy but I would sometimes enter an AV class if it was a different judge.  My objective was to get practise for both of us and some exposure to different judges, stewards, ring management etc.  Sometimes on the day we'd be a bit more relaxed by our 2nd class too.  Also the AV classes at some shows were for older dogs and I found their calm sensible manner would rub off on us.  I had one Minor puppy class where we were nearly all new to showing and the pups just sparked off each other like a mexican wave - bedlam!!

Finally - if she lays down and, even after trying everything you've been advised, she still won't move. Smile and laugh - there's always next time and if you don't get stressed, neither will she.  I think she may surprise you though, there will be so much for her to look at she prob won't think of stopping. Good luck

Hi jackson, I have the same breed as you.
With our youngest her 1st show was a breed champ show with a huge class!
We were in the ring for over an hour:-0
I would bear this in mind and only enter mp for the time being.
Good Luck:-)

Thankyou very much everyone for the kind and helpful advice. :-)

I have emailed the breeder to see what she thinks, but no reply as yet. I am currently thinking though that I may do MPB and PB if there are both classes at the open show, (still waiting on a schedule) if not then do a puppy class and the AV puppy one, so I have done two classes there and can get the exprience for me and pup. However, if she does get tired, is it OK to withdraw from the second class on the day, provided I let them know, or is that viewed as bad manners?

I thought I would then just do the MOB at the champ show the following week.

cocopop, we are in Northern Ireland, so I wondered if entries might be a bit smaller over here usually, although I guess with a champ show lots of people will travel for it?

Sounds good to me - not sure what breed you have, but it's unlikely to have MP and P at an open show. For example I have Cavaliers so would put a puppy in Cavalier Puppy and in AV Toy Puppy (make sure it's AV and not AVNSC (not separately classified)). And no they won't think it at all rude if your puppy gets tired and you withdraw from the AV class, they'll be thrilled someone took the trouble to notify them too! :-)

also if your puppy wins best puppy in breed you need to withdraw from the AV class so you can go into the group (just in case you get beaten)