Hey all, I am working with my first show potential puppy (she is 12 weeks old), and am looking for advice on the best methods to get her ready for confirmation showing. 

Particularly, how do you practice stacking?  Do you work with your pup on a table?  I notice the breeder had a special stacking table with a raised pedestal for each foot, to try and encourage the pup to stay stacked.  Is this necessary?  As GSPs are stacked on the floor, is it a good idea to work on a table?

What sequence of training events do you go through with your puppy?  Is it best to teach them to "hold" (stand motionless), prior to working on stacking? 

I have purchased "Raising a Champion: A Beginner's Guide to Showing Dogs," are there other essential books out there?  I think there is only so much you can learn from a book with regards to training and handling.  I am also planning to go to a training day hosted by our local GSP club, which will cover handling and stacking.  Unfortunately this is two months away and I want to start working with the pup asap.

I have had shorthairs for five years, and will never own another breed.  They are truly amazing.  I am excited to get into confirmation, any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

She is from NMK, Carol Chadwick feels she has excellent potential.  I think I can rustle up your number, will try and call this weekend.

Ken

I've been on the edge of the dog show world for years.  I'm the one they call to show the dogs that aren't supposed to win!

For a while, I really wanted to show Spot.  Then I realized he found it stressful and abandoned my plan.  The best thing I did was take Spot to conformation classes to prepare him for the chaos and noise of an actual show.  I just took him and sat a couple times and then we started participating.  Next I took him to a couple shows and just set up his crate and walked around with him.  He would lay on a blanket next to me and just watch everything.

Spot had a tough early life and your pup will probably have an easier time of it.  But I thought the classes were worthwhile.

Phyllis is dead on in her description of showing.  I am a first time owner/handler with Halo and when I first thought about showing I started reading books and going to a handling class (more for the handler than the dog).  The thing that has stuck in my mind was from one of the books.  The person who wrote the book said if you are getting into dog showing to win, don't do it.  If you are getting in to have fun and do something fun with your dog, you will enjoy it.  As Phyllis said you never know what the outcome, but if you and your four legged kid are having a great time, it doesn't matter.  

To answer your question about handler error, I have a recent example of something I didn't do as a handler and the judge actually told me that that one booboo cost me Winners Bitch in a major.  The judge had pulled Halo and I and another handler and her bitch.  He had us both do another down and back.  Halo has a tendency to turn her head to look at me on the down and back which makes her side step a bit.  I know this and usually try to keep her head more even with my leg so she doesn't have to move her head to see me.  On my second down and back I didn't pay as close attention as I should have and she cocked her head which caused a small side step.  After the competition the judge came over and told me that is what cost us Winners Bitch and a major.  This story does have happy ending as the next day (after a night of beating myself up for the mental error) Halo took Winners Bitch and Best of Winners for the major. 

So, when in the ring you never let down your mental guard down and remember you are always showing, even when the judge is focused on another dog.  You never know when the judge will look up and look down the line of dogs.  You don't want them to catch your dog in a position that isn't to her favor.  That doesn't mean they always have to be stacked, but it does mean you need to know how your dog appears if a judge glances up.

I love showing Halo even when we don't win.  We have a little ways to go to get her CH, but we are getting closer every show.  When we get it, I will be ecstatic as this will be my first dog to show and I will have done it all as an owner/handler. 

I also show in obedience and rally too which is a different ball game, but just as much fun.  You might want to look at one of those with the dog you have now as the dog does not have to be intact to show in obedience or rally.  It would also give you some experience at dog shows. 

By the way, I enjoy showing so much that we are on my breeders list for pick male in her next litter which should be this summer if all things go well.

Good Luck!!

Bev and the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo)

It seems like I have been doing the show thing forever but it has only been 7 years! I still consider myself new. The advice that has been given so far is great! The growing a thick skin is probably the best. Remember, this is an opinion game. Everyone has a different one! Also, finding friends in other breeds is valuable advice! When I was naot taking points, everyone was very nice to me. When I started winning... One long time breeder told me that when people started talking behind my back I had arrived! Make sure you surround yourself with people you can trust.

As far as training yourself and your dog, some very valuable tools are a mirror to practice stacking in and a video camera to check movement. Still cameras can help also. Then be honest with yourself. A mirror is also very improtant when dressing for the ring! For girls, make sure you can bend over and not show your stuff and for guys, make sure its not too tight!

One tip I got when I was first starting out is to take a show lead and put keys on the end. then you gait as if you have your dog. If the keys make noise, you are bouncing too much! You need to move smoothly so your dog can too. Take long strides so you dog will too.

Best advice...listen to what everyone says. try it. if it works, great, if not, move on! Ane of course, have fun! If you arent having fun, its not for you. Good Luck! I for one love to see new people in the ring! I am so excited as in 2 weeks 2 of my puppy people will make their debut handling their own dogs! This forum is a great tool as well!

Phyliss has given some great advise... If you can find A Mentor someone who is an experienced handler then see if they will find the time to work with you .

I have taught numerous puppy people of mine and many have gone on to finish there own dogs compelety owner handled.

You do need to keep track of judges and ask lots of questions.

I also find if you attend a few shows and just sit and watch various handlers you can build your own style and pick and choose various techniques handlers use.Just keep in mind that Every dog can not be shown the same way ..Each requires different things.

If any of you are local to me in North Carolina I would be Very happy to work with you

Good Luck and Most of all keep it fun for the puppy & You ...

Dorothea

www.fieldfinekennels.com