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Originally Posted by ycats  WOW! This has been a great thread. I have read all of the comments . . . very informative . . . interesting . . . and at many times hilarious! I am interested in learning how to show . . . not sure if my little one will ever be able to show . . . maybe in some smaller, local things . . . . but one day . . . hopefully . . . |
You have received some very good advise here. I do wish you the best of luck. I can't wait to hear how you do.
I think one important thing beginners need to know, besides how to handle a dog, is to actually know how the judging is done. It is important to be ready when your class is called. It is always good observe how the judge is doing things ahead of time so if possible watch him judge some other breeds before the Yorkies go in. All judges are different in how they do things in the ring. They don't all follow the same patterns. I know there are a few judges that don't like you to use toys or bait. Thank goodness most judges don't care if you do.
If you get a 1st place in your class then be ready to go back in for the winners dog or winners bitch selection. If you get a second place then you still need to be on standby to go back in case the dog that beat you gets winners then you would have to go back in for reserve winners.
Most importantly be sure to let your dog relive itself before going into the ring. I always put scrunchies on the coat and walk the dog before I start grooming and doing the topknot. I don't feed them a big meal the morning of the show. I know one of my worst experiences was the second day of a show and right before going in the ring my puppy got diarrhea all over his coat.
I had to rush back, clean him up and then back to the ring. I was a nervous wreck. I think the bait I had been feeding him over the weekend did not set well with him. Sometimes no matter how hard you try to make things perfect, things go wrong. Just try to stay calm. If you mess up then you will right up there with the rest of us. Just chalk it all up to a learning experience.