When showing....

[tjdmom]

how do you groom your puppies? I have been thinking about possibly showing Zoe. She's still a little young but I've been trying to learn a little bit about showing and there is a big show up here in August so I've been tossing around the idea but I'm wondering, should her hair be trimmed at all? I've just been letting her hair grow (she's only 19 wks) and I've been bathing and brushing her myself but thought I would take her to a professional groomer but I want to be sure to give them very clear instructions. Can anyone give me advice on this? Thanks Theresa

[ButterflyYorkie]

Oh gosh, how I relate to this. I've been showing a few puppies recently and it's been a real learning experience. I only trim the ears, feet and butt on a puppy for show. (and the underneath of paw pads) If you have a stray hair here and there on the body, of course nip it off, but I do not cut anything other than those three on a puppy being prepped for show.

[tegamom1]

Do you have a mentor? It's so important to find someone that exhibits that can help you. If not, you can look to http://ytca.org/ for breeder/ exhibitors in your area. Have you taken any handling classes? This is something else that will do you a world of good. If you have never been to shows before, it might be a good idea to go and watch before jumping into it. Also, if you have not done so, have your baby evaluated by reputable exhibitors, judges and professional handlers, to make certain your baby is show quality. Showing dogs can be so much fun if you start out the right way because it can also be rather intimidating for newbies. My suggestion, don't take any hair off except the bottom of the feet and be very careful taking any off the ears (as I have learned). Show babies should be bathed every 4 days. Keeping them clean will definitely help with hair growth. You just need to find the right shampoo and conditioner for your baby's type of hair. Good luck in your pursuit!

[tjdmom]

I have looked on the ytca website and, before I even got Zoe, tried to find a mentor. There are several in NY state but none in my area code. We are talking traveling about 2+hours. I was very discouraged. But I finally decided that maybe my best bet was to go to the local show and try to make some local connections. There is a handling class offered locally that I have inquired about and I'm plan on attending. Not sure if there will be any other yorkies but I thought it would be helpful anyways. I'm also hoping that maybe I could get some good advice there. When she gets a little older, I thought I would post her photo on here and see what everyone else thinks but I know it's hard to tell from a photo. I'd really like to show but I don't want to make a fool of myself either and of course, I am a little partial to Zoe and probably not the best judge of her faults because of that. I was bathing her once per week but will start doing it every 4 days as you recommended. Any suggestions on shampoo/conditioner? And do you all do your own grooming? I'm a little nervous about taking her to a groomer because I've heard so many horror stories on here. Thanks for the help and good advice. Theresa

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by tjdmom

I have looked on the ytca website and, before I even got Zoe, tried to find a mentor. There are several in NY state but none in my area code. We are talking traveling about 2+hours. I was very discouraged. But I finally decided that maybe my best bet was to go to the local show and try to make some local connections. There is a handling class offered locally that I have inquired about and I'm plan on attending. Not sure if there will be any other yorkies but I thought it would be helpful anyways. I'm also hoping that maybe I could get some good advice there. When she gets a little older, I thought I would post her photo on here and see what everyone else thinks but I know it's hard to tell from a photo. I'd really like to show but I don't want to make a fool of myself either and of course, I am a little partial to Zoe and probably not the best judge of her faults because of that. I was bathing her once per week but will start doing it every 4 days as you recommended. Any suggestions on shampoo/conditioner? And do you all do your own grooming? I'm a little nervous about taking her to a groomer because I've heard so many horror stories on here. Thanks for the help and good advice. Theresa

Please don't take her to a professional groomer. Most are all around groomers and have no idea on how to style and care for a show coat. If you go to Sweetie or Sweety Blue.com there are some great tapes for grooming and caring show coats. Believe me it's not something you learn over night. I trim nothing but ears, foot pads and trim around the foot to make it look nice and round. And of course with baby manicure scissors I trim around they're little anus, but don't take too much there either.

From what you've conveyed here, you are not planning on entering your puppy in an AKC show, as they do have a 6th month old requirement and must be registered approximately 2 and half weeks before a show date.

[tjdmom]

I've been questioning whether a professional groomer is the way to go and honestly, the only reason I was leaning towards that is that I was concerned about expressing the anal glands but then I read something yesterday that said that once it's done, it tends to need to be done more frequently. Is it something you all need to do frequently? I'm a little squeamish about that. I think though, for now I am going to look up sweetyblue and learn how to take care of her myself. Thanks for that advice. As for showing, Zoe will be 6 months on Aug 4th and there is a big local show up here August 8-12. I would really prefer to observe the 1st time but it appears that those 5 days of shows are the only ones locally so it would be nice to start her then and see if this is even for me because it would be so convenient but she would just barely be 6 months so I'm still undecided. I am going to start handling classes next Thursday and maybe I will meet someone there willing to sort of take me under their wing or just offer advice. Thanks for all your help - it is much appreciated!! Theresa

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by tjdmom

I've been questioning whether a professional groomer is the way to go and honestly, the only reason I was leaning towards that is that I was concerned about expressing the anal glands but then I read something yesterday that said that once it's done, it tends to need to be done more frequently. Is it something you all need to do frequently? I'm a little squeamish about that. I think though, for now I am going to look up sweetyblue and learn how to take care of her myself. Thanks for that advice. As for showing, Zoe will be 6 months on Aug 4th and there is a big local show up here August 8-12. I would really prefer to observe the 1st time but it appears that those 5 days of shows are the only ones locally so it would be nice to start her then and see if this is even for me because it would be so convenient but she would just barely be 6 months so I'm still undecided. I am going to start handling classes next Thursday and maybe I will meet someone there willing to sort of take me under their wing or just offer advice. Thanks for all your help - it is much appreciated!! Theresa

Taking my puppies in the ring at 6 months of age is usually my determining factor on whether I will keep the puppy for show or not. However, I do begin training them as early as 8 weeks of age, making a game of stacking them on the table. Making them lay on a topknot pillow, while I put up their topknot, making them stand so I can trim their feet furnishings etc. My real training really doesn't begin until they are about 4 - 5 months of age. But, everything is kept at a game. Remember you can train all you want but, the real training begins in the ring.

There are other factors of training, taking them out so they can get use to people. Taking them to shows so they can get use to the travel and show noises (that is when they've had their shots and without entering them).

Then there is the training that you have to go through; How to train a dog, how to present a dog, how to groom a dog to perfection and groom to each dog, as each one is different.

There are different views in expressing anal glands. Some choose not to do it, thinking that it will not allow the dog to express them on their own. Then you can have the experience I did, not doing it and having the anal glands become impacted. I do it once a month. However, I do feel around the area to see if it's hard, if it is, then I express.

[tjdmom]

Can I ask how you get them to stay still while you do their topknot? Zoe's hair is still so short but she's like a little kid when you're trying to do her hair. I keep thinking I need to learn how to work faster and I'm not doing anything fancy just trying to get her hair out of her eyes at this point.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by tjdmom

Can I ask how you get them to stay still while you do their topknot? Zoe's hair is still so short but she's like a little kid when you're trying to do her hair. I keep thinking I need to learn how to work faster and I'm not doing anything fancy just trying to get her hair out of her eyes at this point.

It all boils down to repeatitive training and patience. Working faster doesn't cut it, since she won't like your quick hand movements. Take it slow and calm.

[sasha1]

Yes I definatley would advise you to get as much info as possible as I would like to show my boy too but have taken him to get groomed and as you can see his hair is very short. (That was four months ago)

Dont know if he is show quality either, and a bit afraid of being laughed out of the ring as well. Does anyone have an eye for show quality and could give me any hints as well? He is a real outdoor yorkie and dont know if I could manage him with long hair as it never stops raining here in Scotland. Ha