[GoldenSail]

Hey all, just got back from Scout's first ever fun match! She took best of breed puppy and a sporting group 3--ok, ok, she was the only golden puppy and there were only three puppies in group--but hey, we did it!

I tried my hand at adult showmanship but didn't place. I think we did well anyway, considering it was her first time and I took a puppy in for showmanship--now I know that was perhaps not the best idea. There was a little dog behind us and the lady kept making 'woosh' noises and Scout really liked that. Then, the class was really long and I began to run out of treats!

I met this really nice guy with an 21-month old lab. I was told that his lab was friendly so we were going to let the dogs greet each other--then his dog snarked at mine. :uhoh: I asked him if that had ever happened before, at first he said no, but then he admitted that it had but everyone tells him that it is hormonal. Uhh...

I was also really excited to find out about local handling classes--I had tried tracking some down before but was only able to find a private teacher. I can't wait to go, because I *know* we can do well if we get a chance to train with dogs around. That was our #1 problem--handlers had food, were making noises, there was a dog in front and behind her. She stands really well for me and gaits nicely--alone.

Oh, and I gave her a bath yesterday to get her ready for the fun match and decided that I need to start making more of an attempt to get those waves straighter. Well, they aren't perfectly straight but they are lying flat and so I feel pretty good about that. I even took pictures to document my learning curve

Well, there is another one tomorrow only bigger and this one will have obedience and agility going on as well. Can't wait!

 

[hotel4dogs]

and WHERE are those pictures???????
Sounds like a great day! We have a fun match on Tuesday, last time he took best adult in show but Laura (PG) says that's the kiss of death for your show career, LOL!
Let us know how you do tomorrow!!

 

[GoldenSail]

and WHERE are those pictures???????
Sounds like a great day!

Well, I went to the fun match by myself so no pics of that, but I'll load my grooming ventures tomorrow. She will look better tomorrow, as I learned today how to trim her tail. Since she hasn't much fur, I didn't think I needed to worry about it right now--except the fact that the hair is so long on the tip that her tail looks like it touches the floor. Ooops.

We have a fun match on Tuesday, last time he took best adult in show but Laura (PG) says that's the kiss of death for your show career, LOL

Funny you should say that, there were some people taking the Best Adult in Match very seriously. I mean, they were upset that the judge gave them second and didn't look their dog over in the ring. The judge was like, 'Well, I've already seen all of them.' But then, I dunno, she didn't look the pups over very well for sporting group puppy and she hadn't seen them before. Ah well, it was just a match and the one tomorrow is supposed to be a big deal because there will be real judges there and it will be bigger. Today pulled only 20 entries...

---

Kinda random, but for our show in October I did pull the entries for goldens for the last two years and it has been really small 1-pointers so I assumed that it would be the same (not that it matters, I am showing a puppy for experience). I met a golden lady today who thinks there will be tons of goldens here this year though because the # of dogs/bitches you need to beat just went down this year so she thinks a ton of people will be coming out to try and get that easier points (easier as you don't have to beat as many dogs here as you do most places).

 

[hotel4dogs]

the golden entries have been up quite a bit around here. The show we're in on Oct 4 pulled 3 entries last year, I think there are 21 this year.

 

[glddog04]

ooo stay away from dogs you don't know and people who ttake things too seriously <VBG> Good -luck in the future!
glddog04

 

[goldengirls550]

It sounds like you had fun with your girl today!

Good luck tomorrow and let us know how she does!!!

 

[hotel4dogs]

Don't you have a fun match too????

It sounds like you had fun with your girl today!

Good luck tomorrow and let us know how she does!!!

 

[AmberSunrise]

Sounds like you had a great day Good luck tomorrow!

 

[DCPakaMOM]

Sounds like a fun day with ribbons! Congratulations. Good luck tomorrow.

 

[GoldenSail]

Well, today was good as long as I keep things in perspective--after all, I have a very young dog She was the only one her age but we did go against two other pups for best puppy without any luck. They were both older than her though, and I was just happy that she gaited so nicely around the ring for me. We have to get some help from strangers with the examination though--she can't help but give the judge kisses and wiggle around. She's a BIG flirt with people, and it is only worse when someone thinks she is cute and makes kissy noises at her.

The coolest part was meeting some golden people-one had another River granddaughter. I was also offered help with grooming and getting ready for the October show--yay!

Now for the big mistake :no: We are training for competitive obedience and she is doing very nicely, but her heeling is not up to snuff (everything else is pretty good). I read in the premium that it was a Sanction C match so you would bring toys and treats in the ring and tell the judge what you wanted to do--they don't even score you unless you ask. Uhh, no they had us do everything but on leash (we had treats). She was tired too....yeah, I think enough said.

--

Here are my grooming pictures:

This is what she normally looks like, lol. As you can see the tail looks like it goes on forever and touches the ground...

And if left to its own devices on drying, it dries with flips all over the place.

With a little paitence I was able to get it to lay flat, thought the waves are not gone yet. Next time...next time...

It is not a very flattering picture, but you can see her newly trimmed tail and how it no longer drags along the floor.

But really, right now there isn't a whole lot of hair so I can learn as she grows!

 

[hotel4dogs]

she's really growing up gorgeous!
I know this has been said before, but fun matches are just about practice, nothing else. Winning/losing a fun match (although winning is certainly more fun!) means nothing at all. I've seen another golden take best adult in match at our club who is disqualifying height (short) by a fair amount!
Great experience, lots of fun, and quality time with your pup!

 

[hdonnelly]

she's adorable! have fun with her!

 

[Ljilly28]

Hey all, just got back from Scout's first ever fun match! She took best of breed puppy and a sporting group 3--ok, ok, she was the only golden puppy and there were only three puppies in group--but hey, we did it!

Your pup is beautiful and full of promise- it is the time in her life to have a blast with her and let her see how fun show days are . . I love hearing how well she did.

 

[Gwen]

Glad to hear that you had FUN!!!!! That's what's most important. As far as the puppy wiggle butts - I LOVE IT!!!!!!

Nyg & Razz say "Va Va Voom!!!!"

 

[goldengirls550]

Scout is a cute girl! Sounds like you had a fun weekend! She is still very young, and while it can be disappointing not to win, you guys did GREAT and I'm sure you can enjoy the experience!