Im handling my friends Lhasa Apso in an open show on 27th Dec, well that is if i dont get snowed in lol.

Ive never handled in an open show befor, ive done a companion show but that was just standing still, ive done some ring craft classes with him so i could get use to showing a bit as he knows what to do but i had no clue, he does play up a bit when i have him though (he wines for his owner and trys to go to her). I was going to ask her to hide so he couldnt see her but she is handling her new pup in the same class.

I was ment to be borrowing her dog showing book but i keep forgeting to pick it up. So any tips for my first show?

use your whole ring when moving

keep your eye on the judge

listen carefully to the judge as some ask for walk as well as trot, although not common with small dogs

dont stand close to someone else, give yourself plenty of room

take poo bags in the ring (lol) you are expected to clean up after dog, but steward may hold dog for you

the first and second placings wait behind for critiques to be written

cant really think of much, will add to it if i do. before you know it becomes second nature

HTH a little, im sure someone else will add to this too xx

Specific Lhasa stuff...... make sure his tail is over on the correct side on the table and before you set off to move him.
When he's set up ( in the right pose) tickle him under the chin to get his nose in the air in a typical 'aloof Lhasa' pose.
Presumably he will be groomed for you but make sure he has his face hair off his eyes enough for him to see where he's going!
Watch out that his neck coat doesn't get hooked up and lifted by his lead.

General stuff.... keep one eye on the judge and dont look like a novice...sounds silly but try to look like you expect to win...it works !

Open show judges usually only want to critique 1st place ( to send to the dog papers) but the steward will let you know. In fact the steward can be very useful if you ask for a few nudges in the right direction.

Enjoy...it's a hobby :-)

above all remember to have FUN.

Thanks guys youve beed a big help.
Yeah his owner will be grooming him, she wouldnt trust anyone with his coat lol. i never hurd the tickling think but i will make sure i rember it.

Thank You

> i never hurd the tickling think

I was being polite really...handlers ofen tap their chins with their brush :-(

now you say that ive seen some people do that at crufts, i just thought they were fluffing it up or something. lol

Also will people be dressing smart? i brought a suit to were to shows (and family do's) but my friend asked why as its only an open show. I want to look like a propper dog handler like what ive seen in other shows but dont want to be over dressed.

Hopefully we dont get there and its cancled after all this lol.

i always dress smart.... i always think it gives a better impression if you look smart. for an open i wear a smart pair of trousers and a blouse or shirt type thing. i always wear a different colour to the dog as well... if the dog is red do not wear red or oragne etc as it makes their colour look wishy washy. do not wear black for a black dog, it distracts the outline of the dog. likewise for white. a comfy pair of shoes is necessary too. on your feet all day lol.
for champ shows i wear a suit, thinking of photo oportunities etc lol ;-)

Good Luck tomorrow..  Where are you going?

Thanks!, its in Carmarthenshire

Just wondered whether it could of been Stourbridge show, which is where we are tomorrow...

Hope the weather is OK for you to get there.

Have fun, keep your sense of humour, if Lhasa people use bait you might need it to get his attention off his mum, but if he keeps trying to get to her as she'll be in the ring too, just grin and bear it, it's not your fault!

Jo how did things go for your first show?

Not great, he wouldnt stand and kept trying to get to the dog behind, since he went at stud thats all he thinks about, We came last (4th out of 4). But i got a rosset and my friends pup got 3rd and best pup in breed then best pup in group.

So allthough me and deno didnt beat anyone i had fun. Im showing again next weekend and she wants to swap dogs so im hoping ill be able to handle the pup better.

> didnt beat anyone i had fun

Thats the spirit, and now onto the pup for next weekend.. You win some you loose some.. The main thing is to have fun and for the dog to know that!!! You worry and they worry... Have done that myself before and ruined my chances in the ring..

Well done Jo, it's all good practice for the future.

yay, now you've got the first one out the way with you can look forward to future ones. the first is always the worst, you never know what to expect. well done you! xxx

Glad you enjoyed your day, looks like the addiction has already started, you're already talking about the next show!

Well done :) onwards and upwards, sounds like you had a fun day out.

Thanks guys, i was nurvous i couldnt get the number on my pin it took ages lol everyone else was standing there dogs and there i was clearly looking like it was my first show :)

Ill order a propper dog show clip i think.

Heres the pup with his rossets
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39642611@N05/4223398296/

She let me keep denos one.

awwww he is lovely bless him

Well done, glad you had fun! And let us know how you and your friend get on!

well done jo, sorry deno was a little bugger u win some u lose some not long now till next show :)

Just wanted to update i handled Deno again yesterday and he behaved verry well (I told him he would be walking home if he didnt lol) and we came 4th out of 5! He even ignored a dog treat that someone had dropped in the ring when i was moving him.
no rosset though but we didnt come last so im well happy. :)

The one and only time I showed my oldest boy I arrived after a 200 mile trip with about 5 minutes to spare--yes, suckered by the shortcut--and no clip. I did however have a rubber band and used it to secure my number on my sleeve. For a minute or so I was quite proud of myself for displaying some small evidence of a brain. I guess a two year old chimp would have figured out what would happen, but fortunately not me. The rubber band rolled down, neatly folding my number in half so that it was completely invisible to anyone, and then as we were trotting about I noticed a square of card on the floor...yes, my number, and had to bend down to get it, try to reattach it with rubber band and then pretend it had never happened. I will never forget the kindness and professionalism of the judge, who must have wanted to die laughing. I am going to the Manchester show with my new pup--it's taken about a year ad a half for my face to cool down :-o

LOL! thats great, they were selling the clips at the show so i brought one :)

I bought one after from one of the stands that day...and I hope I can find it before Manchester, I haven't seen it since I bought it. I will not be trying the rubber band trick again.

safety pin...
I have couple secured to the inside seam of the bag I usually use so when I forget/lose my proper clip, I still have my safety pins :)