I have a seven month old pup i kept from my girl's litter with a view to showing but I am getting a bit worried now as am wondering if I will be able to "do" it physically. She seems to me like a very good example of her breed but wont know that for sure until I have had the experience of showing. I have done a couple of local companion shows with my kids, both having professional judges and she did very well. My problem is that I am a bit of a demmick!!! I cant lift my dogs. I will be starting ringcraft classes soon but am also worried about that as, when I have watched shows on tv etc. handlers seem to tear around the ring at full speed. Obviously this is to show the dog's gait but I cant move that quickly. I could walk at slightly faster than a normal walk but wondered if that would be enough. I do have kids but they have families and work silly shifts so, although they would be happy to help me if they could, they cannot always be available. Unfortunately I dont have any close "doggy" friends. My question then is:-

If I could manage the walking around the ring thing, would I be able to ask someone to pick the dog up and put her on the table and then put her back onto the ground?. I would feel so stupid as I look "normal" but have a spinal condition which just really prevents me lifting. My girls are Tibetan Terriers by the way. I would appreciate your advice.

Don't worry, there will always be somebody ringside who could help you :-) The important thing is to make sure your girl is happy with all different people lifting her, you can then just ask someone before you go in the ring and they can step forward to lift her on and off the table for you.

I know a few handlers with disabilities, some get others to run their dogs and they set them up themselves. Others like you get someone to lift the dogs for them. It's entirely possible for you to show your dog yourself if you want with just a little help - and doggy people are always happy to help.

If you let the steward know that you are disabled and can't lift your dog then he/she will let the judge know. If you find that you can't move fast enough there may also be people round the ringside who can help by running your dog for you. Again, let the steward know as soon as you enter the ring. That way you can still handle your own dog, but the judge will be able to see the dog move at the correct pace. If you can get lots of people to help you in the next few weeks/months so that the dog gets used to being handled by other people, and swap the dog over amongst yourselves, then you should be fine :-)

Good luck :-D

Oh thank-you. I will. She is a very gregarious little thing so hopefully she wont mind being handled by other people. Thats great. I think maybe when  I get the first one over with, I will feel more confident, get to know who the stewards are etc. All new to me. Will let you know!!!

I have problems walking and running but find good stride with my TT's does the trick. And yes there are no end of people willing to help just start chatting with a few that look nice ringside.  The ones that dont want to help wont be as chatty.

where is your first show?

My eldest daughter helps out a elderly handler she also has a movment disabilty so the owner stacks the dog, but my daughter moves the dog for her on entering the ring the handler lets the steward know and my dauhgter stands ringside untill the judge has finished going over the dogs, then she moves the dog around the ring he is also a old dog so knows whats expected of him, she handels him nearly every week at ringcraft classes and as long as my daughter has a tasty treat for him he is more than happy with her. If you go to ring craft classes let as many people as possible run your dog and im sure you will always find a junior who is willing to help out as it also gives them extra experiance with other breeds. Im sure you can find someone to help you out at shows even if it means going to a few by yourself and watching the junior handlers and speaking to them and their parents to the point where you will get kids offering left right and center to handel your dog for you, what area are you in my daughter is always happy to learn about breeds differnt to ours ( we have bullmastiffs).

Hi, They are Tibetan Terriers. Thank-you so much for your help. I will take all that advice on. In reply to Echo, I havent lined any shows up yet. Am still on that learning curve and as also a pensioner am hoping I dont have to travel too far with the costs of deisel etc. I live 13 miles north of Manchester. As soon as I start ringcraft, which hopefully will be this Monday, I will start looking through the newspapers, websites etc for lists of shows. I know the Breed Club have their show later this year but that is in Coventry. Will have to have a think about that. Would be great though. Thank-you once again.

Do you have fun matches over there? 

I was really nervous about showing outdoors.  With the uneven ground, I was worried that my knees wouldnt hold me while walking round the ring.

I ended up entereing a fun match/sanction match with my aunts min pin.  (I didnt have my special entered that day - but Sunny was).  She had entered both her Dobe and the min pin, and needed another handler for the pin.  So I took him on, thinking worst case, I cant do it, and I hand the money back to my aunt for a wasted entry.  Since it wasnt worth anything towards the CH, it was about just having fun.

I ended up getting best in match with him, and it was the best feeling in the world!  It wasnt really about him getting best in match, I mean that was cool, but I learned I could do it.

If you have matches in your area, where you can pay a small fee, and try it out to see what works for you and your dog, it may help.  I have spent the last 3 years, not showing outdoors, cos I thought I couldnt do it.  Now, its like "OK lemme at the shows!"  (Now that summer is over, and all the shows move back indoors, great timing)

My aunt, she cant move her shoulder too well, and has a hard time bending down.  She has taught the dog to jump up a bit when she says "up" just so she doesnt have to bend down as far (mind you this is with the pin, not the dobe, although eby is really good at jumping up lol).  Maybe that will help too....I cant remember how heavy TT are, so please excuse me, if they are just a bit to heavy to do this with. 

Good for you. You just went for it didnt you!!! That is definitely what I will have to do. Just think, well, whats the worst that can happen!!! If people laugh because I make a mess of it or fall over (god forbid) then they arent worth bothering about!! TT's are around 10 kg. I will let you all know if I make it!!

Good Luck (I always wanna type good lick, so I guess thats from the pups here!)

I really hope you can do it.  Showing your dog, is supposed to be about fun.  Who cares what others think?  (well, of course you want the judges to like your dog.....but I mean the spectators!)

It was the best feeling in the world, when I realized I could do it, when I have been holding back for so long.  Sometimes, you need one good push, to realize you can make it!

Thank-you. You give me hope and I am really looking forward to it now. We'll show em!!!!

> Good Luck (I always wanna type good lick, so I guess thats from the pups here!)
>
> I really hope you can do it.  Showing your dog, is supposed to be about fun.  Who cares what others think?  (well, of course you want the judges to like your dog.....but I mean the spectators!)
>
> It was the best feeling in the world, when I realized I could do it, when I have been holding back for so long.  Sometimes, you need one good push, to realize you can make it!

I couldnt have put that any better myself Crespin
I was really nervous when I first started too,and a a novice to the show ring, my advice is to give it time..practice as much as you can at home and try not to get flustered as this will travel down the lead to the dog and they will pick up on it.

Yes there will be times in the ring when things dont go well but hopefully they will be balanced out by fun times too.
Always give yourself time to stack your dog in time for the judge to look at it and Im sure there will be someone who would be willing to lift your dog on and off the table and move it for you if you cant....just ask

Most importantly always remember,no matter what happens you are taking the best dog in the world home with you...who cares what others think(and yes there are some who will not be so nice about your dog,thankfully rare, but it does happen), always leave the ring with a smile on your face too......someone I know told me that..its been very good advice

Good Luck and I hope you enjoy your new hobby as much as I do.....most doggy people ive come across at shows have been lovely and helpful to me and now, a year on, I feel I have made so many lovely new friends around the show ring,....Im just sorry I didnt do it sooner.

Thank-you Philly. That was lovely. Will take it all on board and will let you all know when I finally get to a show!!

Once you start going to the shows your face will get noticed and make plenty of freinds who will only too pleased to help you out.  I am noticing that myself with my breed, I used to be very shy but thanks to my dogs I am talking and making alot of freinds who when I have got 2 dogs entered in for the same class, will only be too happy to help out

Good luck and remember and go out and enjoy it

Well I for one will put your dog on the table for you.  I have seen all sorts go on the TT ring so I really wouldn't worry.  I've "run" the dog for one lady who can't walk but her dog needs her during the standing phase. 

Just mention it to the steward as you come in & get them to ask the judge (as everything has to be run past the judge first).  As for the "running" in the ring, enter under old fashioned judges who will ask you to walk if you start running with a TT ;-)

Don't know what area you're in or which shows you're going to but if you want to pm me feel free.

I'll be at the Breed Show (I'll be the one screaming at two small children & my mother to behave, whilst juggling two Spanish Water Dogs entered NFC).  Oh & somewhere under that is a very nice tri coloured TT girl (with no ring manners).

I am disabled with a balance disorder that affects my hearing and still show the dogs, people within the breed know the signs that I'm in trouble and come to take over, couple of judges have learnt too after me falling on top of them.. My dogs are very agile so they are trained at home to jump onto the tables for me - not bad for a 11 -13 inche dog, they jump off on command too, I do advise the steward that I may need a runner and have someone ready to take over when necessary.

Its mad as some days I can walk fine but not hear a thing - so then my friend just tells the steward so that the judge knows I need to lip read and visual signals so that I know what they want me to do - they're all very good about it and helpful I really would just go for it and make sure you notify the ring steward of your problems someone will be able to help out.

You have all made me feel better and given me confidence to give it a try. Thank-you for all your offers. I will certainly do as you all say. I live 13 miles north of Manchester. Am seriously considering the Breed show in November so might see you there. How many ringcraft lessons does a person (and dog) generally need?? Do they teach you which shows to go into and which classes? I am a complete beginner so dont know the difference between open and limit and ch etc etc.

> How many ringcraft lessons does a person (and dog) generally need?? Do they teach you which shows to go into and which classes? I am a complete beginner so dont know the difference between open and limit and ch etc etc.

I go once a week to my local Ringcraft class.....mainly now for the social side of it as i know what to do ow,but Its always good to keep practicing ,it keeps the dog and myself  focused I think.
Its also a useful place to pick up schedules for shows etc as they usually have them on a table near the door when you go in.Im sure your RC teacher will help you pick the ones you can enter and they will explain all the different classes and how it all works to you.

How long it takes for you to get the hang of it all depends on how quick the dog and yourself learns......one of my dogs hated it and took ages to get it right.....my second dog it just all clicked into place really easily and with it being my second dof I was more confident too.
All I can say is listen to everyones advice and try it to find out what works best for you and remeber everyone started as a beginner once so if you make a mistake dont worry no one will laugh or if they do it will be with pou not at you

Im really sure you will be fine.....good luck
Look forward to hearing how youre getting on...if youre ever at a show look me up and come say hi its always nice to meeet new people :)

Thank-you. I definitely will search you people out. To thank you all personally for your help if nothing else. Be in touch."!!!