I really want to show my boy....trouble is....I'm CRAP at it. I can teach tricks and stuff but when it comes to showing I just can't seem to "get it". He seems to take advantage of my lack of confidence (which is smart in a way) He always seems to go well and stand nice for other folks. I was thinking of finding someone who wants to show maybe but doesn't have a dog of their own...maybe a junior or even an adult who has experience but for what ever reason has not got a dog.
I don't see my personal lack of confidence changing soon but I don't want him wasted. What do you think of my idea and how would I go about finding the right person?

Cheers

Do you attend ringcraft classes? they are not just for the dogs. A good trainer can help you gain enough knowledge and confidence to be a good handler yourself. I have had complete jelly beans go on and make up their dogs to Champions, a few have fallen by the wayside, more from lack of commitment than incompetence. Practice in front of a mirror or have someone using a camcorder to record your progress.
You don't say where you are or what breed.

You could find someone to handle for you but finding someone who isn't a professional can be hard.  Shows on weekdays can be unreliable with school and work commitments and therefore you could be let down for some shows.  Also do you feel you would enjoy someone else taking all the glory of your dog (some people are fine with this, other's arnt)

As Marion Says, a good ringcraft can help you and it can also be the place to find a young handler.  At our ringcraft one Lady can't rely on her Knee to be ok to run her collie so she's made a lovely partnership with one of the young handlers and she shows the dog :) Neither would know eachother without the ringcraft and they have become very friendly and also now train in obedience together. :)

Hi, I had a similar dilema as you, as I thought I was unable to show my girl myself as I am disabled, but I loved the social side of the show scene and really wanted to be part of it. I had a friend who was happy to handle my golden retriever for me, but due to her working shifts, we only managed to get out every once in a while. After a while it became clear that if I want to show, I had to do it myself.

At first I felt absolutely hopeless and felt that I was hampering Jade's chances, however now I really wish I had taken the plunge right from the outset. I understand that you don't want him wasting, but I have found that Judges can see past a novice handler. At my first show, which was a Championship Show, I made an incredible hash of things but Jade still won her class. In fact in our 7 outings together she has been placed 6 times, including two Best of Breeds, all with me at the helm!!

What I did find of help was for a friend to video me in the ring, then I sat and self scrutinised my performance. There is nothing like seeing yourself, to make you see the mistakes you are making. Also I purchased a huge mirror and set her up in front of the mirror then I could see what the Judge could see.

At first I thought Jade was being fidgety when I set her up, but when I watched the video I could see that it was because I was over stretching her so she was stepping back with her front feet and putting them where they should be. Since then I have watched novice handlers at ringcraft and I think the reason inexperienced dogs behave much better for other folk, is because the other folk know what they are doing and don't throw a dog off balance. Likewise when we are all tense and nervous, our dogs pick up on this. I know I still have a HUGE HUGE way to go, but feel a bit more confident every time I step into the ring, and as a consequence Jade seems much more settled.

I would say stick at it and don't worry that you are wasting your boy, at least you will both have fun as you learn together. Maybe he would do better with an experienced handler, but how are you ever going to learn unless you keep at it.

ETA Sorry Marion, had typed my reply but not hit the post button whilst I went into the kitchen, then when I came back and posted my reply I saw that you had already suggested the mirror and video!!

Have you thought about letting Junior Handlers take him in for experience?  That way he gets more tuition and also gets used to handlers that are maybe not all that confident.  Many Junior Handlers find dogs at the show on the day and would be happy of the experience.  You can also watch the kids do it (many put the adults to shame) and get tips :-)

Have PM'd you as I have just the person... :-)

Gabrielle

Thanks for all the replies.
All excellent ideas. My ringcraft class while good enough is basically running up and down a few times setting up the dog the off to the next dog. The girl is good but I think because so many attend there isn't enough time to spend on individuals. I have gotten some hints and tips but nothing I can take home to practice. Also my boy had not been well at the start and needed an operation. While that had been healing and the hair growing back we concentrated on obedience and getting his good citizens awards. 
I am in N.I. and he is an Aussie.....but Gabrielle thinks she may have someone for him...
I don't mind if someone gets the pat of the back. If they take him in and he does well they deserve it. I want him to go out and have a good time. It's not about me. Showing is just one part of what I would like to do with him. I can get get the glory in obedience or tracking or whatever else. I don't have to do it all myself.:-)
Plus ..I know what it is like wanting to work/have a dog of my own and not being able.....so giving someone else the change would make me just as happy really as doing it myself. And WHO knows....by watching someone else working him.......I may learn a thing or two along the way.....so I can see how anyone is losing :-) :-)

Again THANKS for the replies they are great.

Cheers

Why not do both - at some shows get a friend or other person to handle him, and sometimes handle him yourself. Ask for help from the experienced handlers you get to know at the shows. I love handling other peoples' dogs, it gives me more experience and variety. And I'm happy to have other people handle my dogs occasionally, it's nice to be able to watch them from a distance. :-)

Don't forget, everyone is CRAP to start off with :-D  Even the most talented and accomplished dog handler was once a beginner and was CRAP!   It's how you progress that makes the difference ;) and I'm sure you really aren't as bad as you think ;) ( I know someone who rushed around the ring and was reminded to slow down.  They then took 5 mins to take the dog around a small ring LOL - we were all crying at the ringside :-D  but they finished to very loud applause ;) )

Make time to watch the classes before you and the different handlers.  That way you'll find a way that suits you and your dog.  Also ASK people who you are friendly with at the ringside to tell you how you've done and where you could improve.  It's surprising how helpful others will be if you let them know you're a beginner ;) 

>>Don't forget, everyone is CRAP to start off with >>

And in my case I'm still crap ;-) Obediece agility no bother put me in a show ring an I lose the plot. Still enjoy it though :-D

It's taken me 8 years to sort of know what to do, but a couple of months out and I'm a raw beginner again - all sweaty palms, shakes and going the wrong way LOL

i have been involved with showing tt's for 3 years (owned tt's for 4 yrs ) and i showed by boy 'boo' at his 1st ch show and got the reserve greenstar at 9 months , i then showed him at 2 shows the following april and it was to turn me off showing for a long time , at the first show the judge was so rude and down graded my boy :-( and then another occusion a fellow exhibitor went really close behind my boy and spooked him  that was it i refused to show again so my dad showed him along with my friend , but i feel now i have held boo back because he would not show as well for my dad or friend , kept looking for me all the time , so on the circuit this year dad said look you have
to show him , so at killarney this year i took him into open dog and was placed 2nd , i was delighted and he showed like a dream , i have been showing him since and he is really coming on , and i am really looking forward to 2009 with him ,now i feel like i have been showing years  i have even started handlings dogs for a friend :-)

Try adult handling classes, this is what I did to a) boost confidence and b) you can ask the judge for advice after the class. I also brought a book - Junior Handling, The White Way by Marina White. A really good book that gives you hints and tips and clears any 'grey' areas :-)

P.S. I am still rubbish ;-)

I've been showing for over 20 years, with my newest pup well I won't even go there, but I look like a beginner :)

I'm a fair or average handler I think, but when I try handling my friend's puppy he can still make a total fool of me and make me look like I am clueless. Once last year I was handling one of my own dogs I think, and the judge kindly explained how to do a triangle before sending me round, I must have looked like a total idiot but I don't recall doing anything particularly awful, lol! :-D

I'd find it hard to believe anyone could make a greater hash of it than I did at a champ show this year--it was our first show, we had a long drive down and got there five minutes before our class was called into the ring and I have zero expereince apart from three ringcraft classes...my number fell off, I looked a sight and the dog looked incredulous. It could have been a nightmare, but apart from my jangled nerves we still enjoyed the day. What I will say is that everyone, other exhibitors, the steward and especially the judge, were really encouraging. Maybe our breed club is exceptional in this respect, but no one laughed at us, the judge explained very carefully what she wanted me to do (the dog understood well enough) and I got over my huge embarrassment to think about going again...after a lot more ringcraft.

Well done Jay and don't worry, it will get better. I'm glad people were encouraging. I still remember my 3rd champ show I think it was, we did the whole 'up and back' with me blocking the judge's view of the dog - oops!! My friend (who's been showing 25 years) fell over her dog a few years back in a handling class at a companion show, and another friend of mine in the Best in Show ring was concentrating so hard on watching her dog that she walked into the judge. So we've all been there! :-D