[GoldenSail]

I figure I better post this--but are you sure you want to know? I mean, really sure?
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Alright I broke my first AKC rule unintentionally. :uhoh: Ooops. Apparently wearing a head collar is a no-no at a show. It wasn't that big of a deal, I just had to put her martingale on--though it was definitely a bit of a challenge at first with the puppy overload. Oooh, a person! Ooooh, a dog! Oooh, ooh, oooh!

I was glad that we showed later in the day and I lived close to the show grounds. Basically, we walked around in the morning and hung around the ring until she settled. Of course every time she settled down someone had to walk by and wiggle their fingers at her and mention how cute she was....:doh: and she was at it again.

We spent some time at home mid-day (golden were at 1:55 pm) and I bathed her and then got to blow her dry at the show. I thought she behaved herself pretty well on the table getting blown dry (she has been densitized to a hair dryer, but not a dog one). She was definitely wiggly, but not afraid of the dryer just having a hard time holding still for that long.

...and the ring. Oh gosh, you sure you want to read on? We were the only puppy in our class so I thought that might be better. Yeah right. It just means all eyes on me and Scout decided that she was in a very happy and bouncy mood. Down and back was terrible, we had to do it twice. :doh: Thinking positively though, she held pretty still for the judge and let him look at her teeth.

After that I had to go in the ring twice more. Needless to say, I didn't want to go in again! But I sucked it up and went in with winners (no placement, but I knew that one going in) and then again against the puppies as today is doing Best Puppy in Show (again no luck). She did gait better for more the next two times--I got to borrow a heavier jewel collar and I ditched the bait.

So, if you made it to the end of this I will just add that in the long run I think today was pretty good. Scout had fun and she got some exposure to the dog show atmosphere. Maybe not the best in the ring, but my goodness, she is 6 months and we've got the rest of our lives together. Besides, I saw a little pug puppy just trembling she was so afraid. I count my blessings that I need only curb enthusiasm, not build it up.

Now I have to decide if we will try our hand at the puppy match tomorrow!

 

[Pointgold]

Yea Scout! It MUST be fun for puppies (and owners/handlers) otherwise, why DO it????

She's just going to get better and better...

 

[hotel4dogs]

oh I think it sounds like you had a great time! And more importantly, SHE did. She learned that dog shows are FUN places, and everyone loves her there!
By all means, go tomorrow! She will get better and better each time!

 

[Sawyer4me]

Definately go tomorrow!!! It will be twice as much fun as today.

 

[Ambesi]

I'm so glad you posted about your first show. Sounds like she had a fabulous time and got a lot of experience in. You don't have anything to lose tomorrow. Might as well go!

 

[Jersey's Mom]

Everybody has their first show at some point... and it is rarely a picture perfect day. But all in all, it sounds like a positive experience!!! My first dog show experience, and my second for that matter (obedience, not breed) my dog bolted out of the ring and zoomed all over the place like a madwoman... LOL, so clearly not Jersey, it was our first golden, Brandi, and I was probably about 13 at the time. So believe me when I say it could have been worse.

I vote for you to go tomorrow, the more exposure she gets the better she will be... and with it being a match, you can relax a little which will only help things. Have fun, and be sure to let us know how it goes!! Remember, we're rooting for you and Scout!!

Julie and Jersey

 

[GoldenSail]

OMG, OMG, OMG!!!!!

So, I was really torn about going to the puppy match but at the last minute decided the whole experience would be good for little Scout. I got there just as they started groups and the match was scheduled after BIS. Yeah--like three hours it took! It was ok though, because Scout got so much socialization in. She got to play with other puppies, and was adored and loved on by hundreds of people.

She was the only puppy in her class, but we went in again against a 9-month old. That bitch was so much bigger than Scout I didn't think we had a chance, plus the handler had been fussing with the bitch's coat all day (whilst I let my puppy *cough* *cough* roll around the dirt floor waves and all--she can be perfect later). Around the ring we went and I couldn't believe it when the judge pointed to me and had me move in front of that older bitch. Me? Us? Really?

Scout did much better today too on gaiting and holding still. She's still a bit of a wild woman but I had a better grip on her. She went nuts wanting to play when we ran around the ring with the older puppy so the judge had us go around separate. So forgiving

We went on into the group and again I felt as if I would faint when the judge called me out as third. It was awesome! Afterwards, there was an ex-pro handler that I befriended (and who had helped me prior to going in and while I was in) he told me that Scout was, in his opinion, the nicest puppy in the group and that we should've taken the group. The two dogs in front of us were handled by pros. Oh, and as I was leaving the ring the judge stopped to tell me that I had a very nice puppy!!!!

And tomorrow we are not showing by the ex-pro handler is going to meet with me and show us some stuff!!! I'm glad you guys told me I should go again! And Scout is just loving her new squeaky toy that she got for taking Group III!!

 

[Pointgold]

Woo HOO!!! Congrats!

someone's hooked...

 

[Jersey's Mom]

Oh, good for you both!!! I'm so glad you decided to go!! Congrats to Scout (and you too of course)!!

Julie and Jersey

 

[Ambesi]

That's awesome! I was thinking about you this evening just hoping I'd log on and see an update. So glad you went! Yay for you and scout. Congrat!

 

[Sawyer4me]

Great job on the Group 3rd. I knew you and Scout would have a great time.

 

[GoldenSail]

I found someone to take a picture of us today even though we did not show

 

[hotel4dogs]

Yahoooo, great job!! I'm so pleased for you!!!
Gorgeous photo, she's really a pretty little girl.
When's your next show???

 

[DNL2448]

Way to go SCOUT! You must have been on cloud 9. Can't wait for more updates.

 

[GoldenSail]

Yahoooo, great job!! I'm so pleased for you!!!
Gorgeous photo, she's really a pretty little girl.
When's your next show???

I don't know when we'll show next. I don't want to get too serious until she is ready....but I have to say I am still floating on cloud 9 and this was just an appetizer for me. I want to go again, but I need to give it some thought. Shows out here are hard to come by and generally you have to travel hours (8+) to get to them. I hate to do that much travel while she's still a baby, and I want to coordinate with my breeder and mentor for a show if I can so that I can have more help grooming her.

I wasn't very serious about this show, but after sitting ringside today and looking at the dogs I surely wish I had entered her in more days and put forth more effort to groom her. I think she could've done better...and I could've handled her better, but now I know better!! Thanks very much to a kind gentleman who sat ringside with me today and pointed out structural faults and a good handler from a bad one--and some of those bads were pros :no:

--

PS I watched the terriers today and I had no idea that they did sparring matches in the ring! So cool!