Sorry this thread took a slight detour but were you interested in just what you needed ringside or what everyone that exhibits takes to the grooming area. Sometimes it seems as if one needs a forklift to carry it all..lol

You are right, all the different grooming products that can be used on yorkie coats can be overwhelming. I bet if someone wrote a book about them it would be a best seller.

See, once again the point is being missed when I say little tricks it could be regarding brushing your dog the right way, how to distract your dog from being interested in what's going on in another ring and redirecting his attention back to my instructions and when I say tricks I'm not talking sneaky little tricks LOL...those were your words LOL...when I win it is based honestly...little tricks means a better way to position your dog, maybe playing with him in the ring to get him comfortable...I've learned all that by watching the handlers in the ring...a different way of stacking a yorkie, maybe how to place your hands in the lead....I don't see that as sneaky little tricks...guess I am honest when it comes to that because I sure wasn't implying it to be sneaky to get a win LOL...

Lol, oh you are talking about handling and grooming tips.:) I have heard of the sneaky tricks some handlers pull, like dropping bait in hopes that it will distract the dog that follows them or intentionally running up on the back end of the dog in front of them in order to distract it. Those kinds of tricks I would never do. I am all for learning the other things you mentioned.:)

At ringside you do not need much, nor want to take too much. Keep most of your grooming stuff at the grooming area. Infact if you read some of the information in the catalog, it will tell you grooming is for the grooming area. My hubby made our carry cart and the grooming table sets up on the cart, so you can wheel it around with everything still set up on it. So no packing down and up to move if needed. I love it! I will have to set it up today and take a photo to show you guys.

When I use to travel and stay in the hotels, most of the grooming was at the hotel and then I only had to fix the topknot when I got to ringside. I go about an hour before ringtime, to set up by the ring, walk my dog/s, and then get my armband.

But going to the grooming area will allow you to talk to others. So you have to decide what you want to do. Some only go to ringside and some start out at the grooming area and then move to ringside just before. It depends on what you want to do.

Now we have an RV, so I can do all grooming in my RV and then just go to ringside within time to just set up and get settle before going in.

What you bring has changed a little from the old days, especially because of the topknot now. It was simple in the old days.

I also have the metal tack box, but got a new fabric one, lighter, at Walmart in the craft section. It had lots of pockets, big section in the middle, and on the bottom it zips open and there is a box that slides out for your bows. Also has magnets on the bottom to keep it in place if you place it on a metal serface. It is very nice, and so light weight! I use this one know and works perfect! No carring a heavy metal one anymore. :-)

I do not think you are going to get many to tell you what to do or bring for grooming at the show. That is what you need to learn yourself and what you like. Each dog is so different and conditions at the show can change from place to place. It is something we have all had to learn ourselves. It takes time, but you will get learn in time too.

I also have the metal tack box, but got a new fabric one, lighter, at Walmart in the craft section. It had lots of pockets, big section in the middle, and on the bottom it zips open and there is a box that slides out for your bows. Also has magnets on the bottom to keep it in place if you place it on a metal serface. It is very nice, and so light weight! I use this one know and works perfect! No carring a heavy metal one anymore. :-)[/QUOTE]

I have a table topped cart that I consider one of my best buys. I have one of the craft bags from Wal Mart too, they're great. We now give them out as awards at our Specialty. Right before ring time I take my cart ringside. On the table I have a comb, brush, papertowel, and of course my dog on lead ready to go. Everyone around here has a cart, we park them side by side and visit while we wait for our time in the ring.

I'd love to see pics of both the cart and the craft bag. I actually have to go to Walmart in a bit and I'm going to see if they have one....

Here is my bag. They also have them at Target. :D
The bottom bow tray has a lot of room for plenty of bows.

Well for the first time I "lost" a good brush at ringside. It has never happened to me before. I left the brush on my ringside table - and well it was the end of the day - my hubby was anxious to go- and in the throes of packing up I didn't realize until after I got home it was missing. So I think take as little as you can get away to ringside.

I think some good suggestions were proffered on what to take to the show grooming area. Are they all inclusive? Perhaps not. I also agree that as you show you will bet to learn what you need for your particular puppy.

One thing I always take is an emergency kit - it goes with us everywhere. It has in it styptic, cold packs, tensor bandages, heat pack, gauze and bandages, antiseptics, including saline water etc.

Power at show sites can be iffy. Maybe they have - but what if everything is taken? What about electrical problems. One item on my list to get is a cordless straightener. Also outdoor shows have their own set of challenges.

We also show BRT;s a large breed needing lots of pre show grooming. For outdoor shows we have a generator - 3 different types of dryers. The list goes on and on.

At least what one needs for Yorkies tends to be a lot more portable.

Good luck with your showing

I also bring wet wipes and in the summertime a small fan. It just got way too hot this past summer in NC and so I went out an bought one for next time. It is a little square fan and can set on the grooming table - used to keep your dog cooler.

My must haves:

Antistat
Brushes
Topknot ER Kit
Mints

Can you tell me where to get antistat? And what is in a topknot ER kit?

You can use lots of different products for anti-stat. Check w/ you vendors and see what they carry. Vellus, PurePaws, and others all carry some. My topknot ER Kit consist of everything needed to put up a topknot ringside. I have a small box of bands, an extra bow, a small bottle of hairspray, a rat-tail comb. We put it to good use in Claremore when we were told the major was holding w/o one of our dogs, but sure enough 1 dog went home. We grabbed the dog and put a topknot in ringside to hold the major.

LOL.. That had to be a record for a topknot! It went in so fast that poor Sonny didn't know what was happening.. :) But the major held thanks to that topknot kit!