First time Handling....HELP ME!!!

[Akbritt]

I am so FRUSTRATED!

So the first few practices went well....Ginger's walk is really good, she is turning well...she does ok on the table...but she keeps wanted to sit...which is a NO NO! Im having problems trying to figure out what to do with my hands while she is up on the table...my first instinct is to hold her up...but i know im not supposed to be touching her while she is up on the table...the lead im using isnt very long...so i cant really hang it around my neck...and sometimes when im showing her teeth...she gets a little wiggly.

She has been showed before...quite a few times...but her owner doesnt work with her on a regular basis...and it shows.

I went over there Monday and he told me that i might be showing his other dog, Louie as well as Ginger, who has NO really show experience...puppy class showing cant really count...Louie doesnt walk well AT ALL on the lead, and i havent even tried him on the table yet. Louie is NOT ready for this show, and im not ready to take on 2 dogs my first go round in the ring.

I went over today, the owner wasnt home, his wife was, she couldnt find the show lead, and they had no bait prepared. I ended up leaving without working with any of the dogs...and the show is in 2 days. Im so frustrated.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by Akbritt

I am so FRUSTRATED!

So the first few practices went well....Ginger's walk is really good, she is turning well...she does ok on the table...but she keeps wanted to sit...which is a NO NO! Im having problems trying to figure out what to do with my hands while she is up on the table...my first instinct is to hold her up...but i know im not supposed to be touching her while she is up on the table...the lead im using isnt very long...so i cant really hang it around my neck...and sometimes when im showing her teeth...she gets a little wiggly.

She has been showed before...quite a few times...but her owner doesnt work with her on a regular basis...and it shows.

I went over there Monday and he told me that i might be showing his other dog, Louie as well as Ginger, who has NO really show experience...puppy class showing cant really count...Louie doesnt walk well AT ALL on the lead, and i havent even tried him on the table yet. Louie is NOT ready for this show, and im not ready to take on 2 dogs my first go round in the ring.

I went over today, the owner wasnt home, his wife was, she couldnt find the show lead, and they had no bait prepared. I ended up leaving without working with any of the dogs...and the show is in 2 days. Im so frustrated.

Mmmm at least with a yorkie you can hold between the hind legs.

As far as the puppy, well the judges are so forgiving with puppies. Just have fun with it. Just remember tha taking a puppy into the ring is for the training.

You may have to sit down and talk to the dogs owners. Tell them you're more than willing to handle their dogs and that it's a wonderful opportunity. However, that you need their help too. Be honest and tell them that being new you really think taking 2 dogs in the ring would be just a bit too much on you.

[PrestigeousYT]

I hope they have found the lead by now.
I would recommend that you take only one in the first time.
If you are overwhelmed and furstrated you and the dogs will not have any fun at all. You need to get your mind set into chilling out/relaxing/deep breaths and absolutely chill out and have fun with it.
Its not fun to be frustrated.
I would bring your own bait and bring different kinds to see what gets the dog going the best.
Good luck and have fun.

[tegamom1]

What type show lead are you using? It sounds as if you might need a longer one. You can touch them while they are on the table. Like Mardelin said, you can hold their rear. There are ways of getting them to stand up that aren't too obvious..lo l You might ask about taking the dogs home with you if possible to get more training done. Sounds like you might get more accomplished this way and they will also be even more comfortable with you. Oh, yes, also like Mary (Mardelin) mentioned, don't forget those mints!
Just jump in there and have fun. Experience is the best teacher.

[Akbritt]

Originally Posted by tegamom1

What type show lead are you using? It sounds as if you might need a longer one. You can touch them while they are on the table. Like Mardelin said, you can hold their rear. There are ways of getting them to stand up that aren't too obvious..lo l You might ask about taking the dogs home with you if possible to get more training done. Sounds like you might get more accomplished this way and they will also be even more comfortable with you. Oh, yes, also like Mary (Mardelin) mentioned, don't forget those mints!
Just jump in there and have fun. Experience is the best teacher.

I dont know the name of the leash, but i can describe it to you... It has one single loop (the metal loop) It slips over the dogs neck and the metal loop is on the top of the neck, and the rest is just thin cord like lead....im guessing its about 4ft. Which is fine while im walking, because im not very tall and the dog is close to the ground. But it seems too short when the dog is up on the table.

Ive only got one day left to prepare, and tomorrow im going to try to spend as much time as i can with the dogs, but keeping em over night is a good idea.

[Akbritt]

Originally Posted by PrestigeousYT

I hope they have found the lead by now.
I would recommend that you take only one in the first time.
If you are overwhelmed and furstrated you and the dogs will not have any fun at all. You need to get your mind set into chilling out/relaxing/deep breaths and absolutely chill out and have fun with it.
Its not fun to be frustrated.
I would bring your own bait and bring different kinds to see what gets the dog going the best.
Good luck and have fun.

The owner called me later tonight. I told him that i wasnt sure if the youngest should be shown. He told me i would do fine and that the judges would be understanding for a young pup. But Louie is just old enough now that he is too old for the puppy ring and just old enough for the adult...so i will be showing him in the adult male.

The poster Bravo suggested Beef Jerky....i think i might try that...the bait the owner made...i wouldnt put in my mouth for anything!

[Akbritt]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Mmmm at least with a yorkie you can hold between the hind legs.

As far as the puppy, well the judges are so forgiving with puppies. Just have fun with it. Just remember tha taking a puppy into the ring is for the training.

You may have to sit down and talk to the dogs owners. Tell them you're more than willing to handle their dogs and that it's a wonderful opportunity. However, that you need their help too. Be honest and tell them that being new you really think taking 2 dogs in the ring would be just a bit too much on you.

He keeps saying that "Ill be fine" which is nice....but if he wants the best performance i could give him...he should of asked me sooner...and the 2nd dog was brought up this week!!! I almost chicken out! Im nervous enough with one. LOL

I just dont want to drag Louie, I wont drag him if he doesnt want to go.

I have another practices tomorrow...i sure hope it goes better.

[Akbritt]

Wish me luck tomorrow!!!!

Thanks to everyone who gave me tips and advice!!!

[bjh]

Best of luck tomorrow. I know you will do just fine. We will be anxiously waiting to hear how things go.

[Akbritt]

It actually went pretty good....I was very nervous up until the point i got in to the ring. But then, i was fine....I did 2 shows, Ginger won 2 best of female....but lost best of breed...which was fine....because the winner was more superior.

I ended up only showing one dog...which was a relief.

I didnt get to talk to any Yorkie people there, which made me sad...but i was trying to stay focused and watch ever dog i could in the rings. I did have fun...but im glad its over.

[tegamom1]

Originally Posted by Akbritt

It actually went pretty good....I was very nervous up until the point i got in to the ring. But then, i was fine....I did 2 shows, Ginger won 2 best of female....but lost best of breed...which was fine....because the winner was more superior.

I ended up only showing one dog...which was a relief.

I didnt get to talk to any Yorkie people there, which made me sad...but i was trying to stay focused and watch ever dog i could in the rings. I did have fun...but im glad its over.

Congratulations. Glad things went well for you.

I am a little confused..best of female? Did she go Winners Bitch?

[Akbritt]

Originally Posted by tegamom1

Congratulations. Glad things went well for you.

I am a little confused..best of female? Did she go Winners Bitch?

yeah....but its easy to win when you are only competing with yourself

[Brooklynn]

Originally Posted by Akbritt

yeah....but its easy to win when you are only competing with yourself

Where did you show?

[Akbritt]

Originally Posted by Brooklynn

Where did you show?

Hickory, NC .... it wasn't Yorkies...it was Teddy Roosevelt Terriers...its just a short legged version of the Rat Terrier. It was a UKC show that i was in...im not sure if some of the other group were showing in AKC. But there was Yorkies there, but i didnt get a chance to met any of the Yorkie people this time.

[Yorkie_Mama]

congrats on your first Show !!! I started showing in UKC first also .. I am still a total novice but the venue seems a tad bit more relaxed and I found in my area almost all the dogs were handled by non Profesional Handlers so You dont feel like you in the deep in of the pool !! I cant tell you the little things as a novice Ive picked up where to hold your hands eye contact in the turning for your down and back I think the best adviced I have been given this month LOL is you paid for your three min..in front of a judge ! I hope you catch the show bug !!