Quote:
Originally Posted by yorkiegirl2  At what age did you start Conformation Classes ??
and what things can be done at home ?
Do you use treats, clicker or both as training tools ?
I have found a showdog trainer who does private lessions
She said she will look at the 3 pups I'm holding back to see
if she thinks one might be good enough to show.
At what age is a good time to look at a young pup and get a idea
if it may have the It Factor???
The trainer also knows of a handler who does handles toy breeds.
I think after a few puppy matches ...
I'll see how things go and if my knee will hold up.
I am hoping to point the pup myself and
then maybe hire a handler to get the majors.
They also have a groomer who knows about grooming Yorkies for show.
Hopefully they can show me how to do the topknots and grooming part.
There is not much of a AKC Club around here, the closes is in St. Louis.
I was invited this weekend to come and meet the members but
I told her I didn't think I could make it this time because I just had
some newborn pups.
But would love to meet then as soon as pups were older.
She told me of some shows coming up that I plan to attend.
Any suggestions, advice or help would be greatly appreciated.. |
I start conformation classes at approximately 5 months of age.
Start watching the pups from birth, but really begin watching at 8 weeks of age......running them through and never making up my mind until I've taken that one I've picked out, until I've entered it in their first show.
I begin training at 8 weeks of age....starting with bathing and table training...how to lay still, stand to have their feet trimmed, etc. Lead training I don't begin until about 16 weeks of age....and then it's done as fun, since during this period they are teething. I condition with clicker and bait training.
Topknots are tuff. So much to learn, how much hair to pull up, how much puff for each individual dog's features....
There are a couple of tapes you can order from sweetieblue.com for grooming and topknots. Training for the ring is another matter. Reading and watching videos give you an idea but, there is nothing like getting in the ring.