[LIL MIS' MAGIC]

Showing for the first time is a very scary exciting thing. I don't think you can ever look stupid in the ring, everyone has their first time and remembers what it felt like. I would do some research on shows, the AKC website is great, so that you have as much info as you can going into it.

Each dog is give a number and that is how they are identified in the ring, you will wear a number on your arm that allows the judge to determine which dog/bitch is showing. Most of the time you will be asked to walk around the ring to the show table where you will stack the dog for the judge, once the judge as gone over the dog then you are asked to follow a path the judge chooses and from there the judge will either place you back in line or ask you walk around again.

Each judge is different, some judges have you go straight to the table, others have you walk around first. Some will have you show them the dog's bite others will look themselves. The best thing is to listen to the judge carefully and ask if you are not 100% sure what to do. The best advice I was given was to make sure you arrive early to the ring so that you can watch how the judge operates in the ring, that way you are more prepared once you go in.

The best training you can do is lots of walking on the lead so that the dog is used to that feeling...also make sure the dog is well socialized so that the environment won't freak the dog out. And most importantly, HAVE FUN, if you are having fun the dog will do...if you are nervous your dog will feel it and get nervous. Don't worry about how you do, just watch and listen and you will do fine.