PEWW! Good!

Oh no, never jeans! :eek:

I've seen some people go in with heels, it's very funny to watch and very annoying.

Your right never jeans. Slacks are much more comfortable for bending. I've seen some horrible things with women that wear skirts, especially if they aren't experienced in how to show in them. Even with slacks I wear a jacket that covers my rump....nothing worse than sitting as a spectator and having to view someone's big ole butt.

:eyetearss LOL

Thanks for the spelling correction. I knew it did not look right when typing. Since the invention of spell check - my spelling is not what it use to be. At least I do not use "to/too," "there/their," or "a lot" incorrectly. LOL :D It drives me nuts when I see people use these words incorrectly. LOL

You are right - do not take any crud either. There is a right way to tell people in the ring to back off and you can do it - if done correctly.
Isn't there a book on rules and showmanship by AKC you can order? I thought I saw it one time.

You know, I thought about wearing heels, but i was afraid i was going to slip and bust my butt. I guess its still a possibility in flats...but still have a little more control

It's never enough time, the best way is to jump in and do it.

I usually wear soft sole flats...very quiet. I don't know if you have a Stien Mart close by. They're Etienne....flats and come in various colors, very attractive and comfy......not those horrible ugly comfortable shoes you see some handlers wear.. But, you don't want to call attention to your feet, you just want to be a back drop for your dog. No clanky jewlery, nothing flashy

Oh! One of the most important pieces of advice I could give you. Walk into that ring with the attitude and feeling you've got the best dog. Go into win.

I'd love to be there too, but I'm on the opposite coast.

That is one thing that you might hear at ring side - if someone wears something they should have never worn! Yes, we have seen some no, nos! Do you remember that girl that went into the ring and when she bent over to stack her dog you could see everything - and it was not a pretty site! Ugh!

I think if you google dog show ring etiquette it's on the web. I know when I went to handling class they handed my about a 3 page set of ring ettiquette rules. I don't know where on earth I've put it......

No worries about spelling, I like to leave words out sometimes, which change the entire meaning of my post :p....sometimes not so good (LOL I just had to edit because i did it again)

if they dont have a book, they should.

Sadly, i have met a few "meanies" at shows before. But i have met some great people too. Time...i guess is the key to get have a positive experience with people, I learned the hard way not to try to talk to people before they show!

No, never wear heels. It is not the place with dog pee and mop water around - outside the ring and you are getting up and down so much - a real work out. The veterans always wear comfortable shoes, even with a skirt. It is common to see and it is not a beauty contest for us - it is all about the dog.

I've seen some in skirts, come up from a kneeling position and shown everything. I also have seen some real wide bodies in too tight slacks bend over, not a pretty sight. The only person I've seen be able to get away with wearing white slacks and look like she's been to a tea party (no dirt on the knees from bending down or anywhere else) is Bobby Rothenbach.

Wearing heels also make your boobs giggle when you walk. Now that may be something you want to do if your showing to a male judge.....that is if you want to risk the noise they make.

Here - I just checked and found this on AKC site: Mentor Program
I think this is a new program they have. There is a lot of great information here to help you.
T.

If i remember correctly, its the TRIANGLE formation.

is the "out and back" the same as "down and back" and does that just mean, walk them down and back the longest part of the triangle??

BAHAHAHAH! :D:D:thumbup::thumbup:

Sadly i dont have much boob to giggle.

Yes, it is the same. They use the down and back mostly.

Thank you, Im going to save the link

ok, im going to try to get there early enough to where i can watch a few groups, and study how other people perform, the guy that im handling for, will be in the ring with me, so thats some what of a ease

There's also a book by George Aliston "The Winning Edge" great book for handlers. There use to be a training session with him that you could view on the internet. I think it was on the IAMS web site.

:thumbup::thumbup: thank you!

Hope we've helped you and if you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask.

And remember have fun and don't forget to breath.

Let me tell you a story. When I first started I traveled with my mentor and her then handler. Learning everything I could. Training, grooming, etc.
I'd get the dogs ready for him, all except the topknots. Well! it came the time that he wasn't going to be able to attend a show in Tulsa, OK and guess who was going to have to put up a topknot and show 2 of the 3 dogs that I had to groom.....that's right, me. I didn't sleep for 3 weeks, I was so nervous and scared.....so, we all start somewhere.

I found it on Amazon for $18.45

Everyone has been a BIG help....I'm glad i got more feedback then when i posted...Ill keep everyone up dated on the practice runs and how the show went!!

Thank you everybody!!!!!!!

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 . . .

I am so glad! I live in Georgia too! We have really big shows here in Atlanta and several other surrounding counties - we get an average of 22 - 30 yorkie entries a day during the cluster shows. We get the best - some real tough competition. Would love to see you at the show. Best of luck!

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. :eek: 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.

Thank you both, and I was not even the poster! Topknot I have seen several of your posts, and I am glad to know you are from GA! I am starting to look into the clubs. I would like to attend some shows! just to see what it's all about.

My mistake, I was thinking you were the original poster. I do hope you get to attend some shows. You never know, you may end up with a show baby some day. Best of luck to you.

You are in a good spot - not too far from Altanta. You have the Columbus Dog Club in your area and I would also join the Greater Atlanta Toy Dog Club too - in Douglasville. Sorry - we do not have a Yorkshire Terrier Club in our state. We meet up a lot though at shows. The shows near your area are Perry, Atlanta, Marietta to the north and you are not that far for the Montgomery AL show. So you have some really nice shows to attend. You will learn a lot faster by going to the clubs and attending shows. Best of luck.

The best advice I've seen posted thus far is to have FUN! But like others have said it's always best to know what you are doing and that is a lot of watching before hand. It's always good to go watch a couple of hours before you show at the ring you are gonna be in and watch the exhibitors and the judge and see what they all are doing. You'll see some carry their dogs in, walk their dogs in, wear pants, skirts ect...just do what you feel comfortable wearing "flat shoes" a must. In the old days men "always" wore suits and ties and women "always" wore skirts. I use to wear slacks but now "always" a skirt "BELOW" the knees LOL...no one wants to see my butt LOL...Just remember like most have said just jump on in there and have FUN FUN FUN :) It's the best feeling in the world!! One more thing LOL...when and if you lose always smile :)

Donna Bird
Brooklynn's Yorkshire Terriers