Hi, new to this forum so hoping someone can help me.

Went to a companion show on Sunday, in preparation for the Coventry show (our first real show), and it was not good!
Jazz was sooo busy being overwhelmed by all the other dogs, he completely ignored us. Now this may be because it was in a field and he is usually allowed off lead in fields - he just wanted to play. He had been for a long walk prior in the hope of wearing him out a bit but this didn't seem to work.

He is an 11 month old Dal, any ideas how I can keep his attention and make him focus on us? There is another companion show locally on Saturday and we are going to put in some hardcore practice.

Also does anyone know........
1, Of any ringcraft classes in the Eastbourne Area, not on a Tues or Thurs?
2, Where I can get a ring clip from?

Any help will be gratefully appreciated!

> Where I can get a ring clip from?

There are usually stalls at shows selling ring clips.

Food, the smellier the better. Liver cake is a treat that most dogs cannot resist. I would make some and do a bit of training when you go to the local field. Every now and again just pop him back on his lead and get him to stand in front of you with the liver cake at his nose. Hopefully if there are dogs around causing his distraction then he will be more interested in you and the food than them. Fingers crossed.

I wouldn't worry too much about a companion show as it's usually full of badly behaved dogs that will make it worse, and you say a field -maybe not as obvious a show ring as at a real show. :) Did you use treats? REALLY special treats. For youngsters I only bring out the really good stuff like liver and chicken and similar for shows, they don't ever get it at other times, so as soon as we're at a show they know this is where the good stuff appears if I stand still. And take heart, it is MUCH much better to have a happy, playful dog full of the joys of youth, than one that is worried and doesn't want to be there at all! :)

Hi, my dog had her first dog show on grass at the weekend,(not her first show just first on grass)
she also thinks grass is for play lol. What I did was get there early so she had lots of time to meet other dogs. Keep her tum empty apart from the dog treats which I handed out to her on and off till the ring. So ever time I put my hand in the treat bag she stopped to look at me and I had her full attention. It worked well in the ring but she still was not as alert as when we show indoors. I am going to take her to the field and do some training with her. Good luck with your first show .
try ebay for ring clips

Hi,

Ringcraft around Eastbourne is held on a Tuesday evening.Think its the Horam one.
The only ones i can suggest which is coming over west a little bit is Cuckfield on a monday night or Ifield, Crawley on a wed night.
I do know of a lady over Chichester way who came to Cuckfield as she needed lots of practice.

Again there is one in Peacehaven which is on a tuesday evening which i will be popping over to tonight.

There may well be others on here who live east of you who can help, the one which was further north of you i have heard has closed down..

Also to note there is a fun companion show at Plumpton open day on saturday which i'm going to, again another chance to do some training as well.

I go with really smelly special treats whether it be cheese or sausages etc, whatever you know will keep her eye on you.
Saying that i know a lot of dogs who play up on grass, they love the smells etc, but it can be worked on...

Also don't worry too much about ring clips, yes you can get them online and at shows, but i use to have a safety pin which is fine and does the trick..I do now have a lovely ring clip but its not the be all and end all of the day..

Wow thanks for all the advice.

So food is def the way to go. He is quite food oriented, so that should be able to keep his attention, but we can't get him to walk with a treat as all he does is jump up and paw to get the treat instead of walking nicely!
Also when we run with him at "show speed" he takes this as his signal to run full pelt - choking himself and almost dislocating my arm in the process. Practice practice practise I feel.

Love that Dalmatian ring clip - that is perfect.

Sent you a PM with more details of other ringcrafts in East Sussex.

> Also when we run with him at "show speed" he takes this as his signal to run full pelt - choking himself and almost dislocating my arm in the process.

Trick is to settle him, you may wish to turn him in a circle first, and give a command, I say walk, but trot or whatever will do.

Then set off, but as soon as he pulls stop dead and start at the beginning again, it is important to go back to the start, same applies if he paces or moves wrong in any other way.

Also make a show of putting the treats away and only give them when standing and at the end of the movement pattern.

Ringcraft around Eastbourne is held on a Tuesday evening.Think its the Horam one.
The only ones i can suggest which is coming over west a little bit is Cuckfield on a monday night or Ifield, Crawley on a wed night.
I do know of a lady over Chichester way who came to Cuckfield as she needed lots of practice.

I have spoken to petra, and we will be making an appearance at Cuckfield next Monday - thank you for the recommendation

> I have spoken to petra, and we will be making an appearance at Cuckfield next Monda

Petra's lovely, she has a Dobe and i think a Frenchie...

I won't be there on monday as have to work but will be there on 18th May..
Rachelsetters also attends there as well for the junior handling with her girls.

Look on the bright side, at least your boy had fun! With some ringcraft and general show experience (and liver cake!) he will learn to pay attention in the ring. The disaster would be if he had a bad experience and was put off for life, so cheer up and I'm sure the next time will be better.

Hi, Welcome to the world of showing a young Dalmatian!!!!
Mine will be 1 in 2 days and although we have been showing him since he was six months, no 2 shows are ever the same!!! 1 week he is on form showing well and does fantastic, the next he is all over the place, distracted by, Grass-Bitches-His breeder-A friendly judge-Food-Announcements over the speakers....or anything else that most other dogs ignore.
You have a very bouncy, playful breed and that makes showing very interesting. I've never seen a young Dalmatian that shows perfectly every time. Keep up the training, relax and enjoy it as much as you can the rest will come!! :)
Paula

How did you get on at the show at Berwick today?

Oh thanks for asking. We bombed out of the pedigree puppy class - he just would not stand and insisted on easting grass and trying to play with the boxer puppy next door!

Did some hardcore walking around whislt waiting for the novelty classes and he got 3rd place in most handsome dog - stood beautifully the whole time (and it was a big class!) and walked really well.
We also had a go at the fastest dash and he came 4th.

How was the plumpton show?

We are set to go to Coventry on Sunday. I don't think we are really ready but I think it will be good to see. Didn't make Cuckfield last night, all got a bit hectic. Should be there this week though.

Hi there - I will be there with my girls for handling next week although will be leaving for agility straight after so do come and say hello - will have two gordon setters with me :)

Everyone is very friendly at Cuckfield.