Almost two weeks ago Phoenix had her last set of shots. A DHPP and Rabies. She still has about a dime size lump between her shoulder blades. You can't see it but can feel it if you run your hands over her. Do you think we will have issues if this doesn't clear up for the show ring? I know it is from the shot as it is the exact  spot it was given. I have heard this can happen but we havn't really been into showing before. I just don't want a judge thinking she has some issue with her structure due to the shot causing a lump!

I agree with Phyllis, go to the match and have fun. 

Just for reference Halo gashed her side outside and I still showed her. It was healed, but there was still a scar.  It was not on her show side, but the judge noticed and said working dog, and gaves her winners bitch anyway.  So, I know this doesn't have to do with shots, but it is not supposed to be a fault if they have scars or cuts, etc as they are supposed to be hunting dogs.  Good thing too as Halo has now gashed herself twice and has some nice scars, both on her non-show side though.  I guess she was paying attention like the good show girl she is and wanted to keep her show side looking nice.  In any case the scars have faded and the hair has grown back so they don't really show now.

If a judge stops and passes on a dog for an obvious bump from a shot I would just put that judge in the "Don't show under this judge" column and move on. 

Let us know how the match turns out.

Just take a deep breath and remember you are doing this as something fun for you and your dog.  Nothing else matters, win or loose.  Know too it gets easier the more you do it.

Even better.  The UKC is so laid back and the people are all so helpful.  You will definitely have fun and there will be lots of folks with great advice.  When is the show?  Let us know how it goes.

Ask the steward before you show if bait is allowed.  Most of the time now at UKC shows the judges are allowing bait, but I always ask first.

We had a very good time at the show, A judge that will go on my hopefully short list to not show under again though. I don't mind that Phoenix didn't place between her and the other puppy who was under 6 months old but I do mind the reason given. But first I will give you all a run down of our day.

We took 3 dogs to the show.

Tundra to do Weight Pull wich she didn't do much of at all unless I had given her a tug on the collar and then she pulled. She just needs to learn what is going on. But that disqualifies us from getting any points or anything toward a title. No biggy. Just something to work on with her. When she did pull she pulled about 400 lbs and she only weighs 37!

Phoenix to do the Non Licensed puppy class. Here is our run down on this class. First she was the only female pup so she was in the ring by herself. The judge NEVER let me finish stacking before going over her. Just started running her hands all over her. I was praising her for being a good girl the entire time but I thought that was rude. I don't care if it is a pup class or not at least let the handler get the dog stacked for goodness sake! Then we went back in the ring with the male pup. Both pups were having fun and when we were done taking them around the male pup who was in front decided to potty. No biggy. But the ENTIRE time the other person was cleaning up Phoenix was standing in a still stack and NEVER budged a muscle. The other gal finished cleaning and didn't even finish stacking and the judge said "So and so you diserve first place because you had to deal with all that in the ring"...meaning the pee and clean up. Don't get me wrong he is a VERY VERY nice dog and he may have taken first anyway either way but to give that for a reason is just pathetic IMO! Here are pics of Phoenix stacked the entire clean up process. Sorry they are blurry!

Then was Roxi (well she actualy showed before the pups). She is a female we co-own with a friend. Is 3 years old and has never been stacked or even had seen a show ring. She did awesome! Gaited like an ol pro! Judge said to me on her to make sure we work on the "growling" when in fact she wasn't growling. She was doing what I call the GSP snort. Kinda of sounds like you are clearing your nose into your throwt. She said she didn't care and it didn't bother her but some judges may not see it this way. I explained to her the noise Roxi makes and she said to still watch it. So not sure really how to take that. But Roxi did well. Here is a stack pic of her.....

She was the only adult so she ended up earning 25 pts. toward her CH title but still needs to get some competition wins in the future. But over all a good start to the new show career for her. And to think a year ago she came in as a rescue dog who was HW positive and about 15 lbs under weight! What a cool dog she has become!

Ditto for me on the judge.  What an idiot to say those things. Just blow it off and move on.  Your girl looks really good and that is a darn good stack.  Roxi is also beautiful.  When people ask just tell them she one (cause she did).  I too am glad you had a good time.

I suspect the more you show your dogs the more excited they will get by it.  Halo knows when we are getting ready for a show and she just dances.  Then when she gets in the ring she really turns it on. 

It doesn't matter what I show her in either, she loves showing obedience and gets excited with that too.