The thing is is that when you go to a show - you are usually there for most the day and unfortunately you cannot take the dogs in the bathrooms with you. So unless you have a very large bladder or you have an RV you brought - you have to leave your dog/s with people you (hopefully) know at some part of the day to..... hmmmm... go yourself. Most of the times my hubby comes with me to the shows, but on some occasions, I have been by myself, and have had to leave my dog/s with others. One time (summertime) I did take my girl with me in the bathroom - undercover, but was early and could get her straighten up - coat regroomed. Sure it would be a perfect world to stay with your dogs the whole time, but unfortunetly there are times, when you have to trust others to watch you baby for a moment. Let me tell you - it is the fastest time I have been on a potty break myself. As Donna mentioned already, we usually know one another or have seen one another so much at shows (it is usally the same of us on a regular bases). But if you are first starting out it can be hard.

I have seen a few that have left there dogs alone and not say anything, but I could never do that. I am way too protective - but I am very anal and worry way more than most. You do tend to get a sense of security - since you have seen most of the same people at the shows over and over again. The shows run in circuits.

I've heard about this since NY. What to make of it? It doesn't appear to be statewide much less nationwide. It's isolated if its real.
It's unfair to blame any person or group for anything w/o proof. Odd how many have said anti free appeared in water inside crates. It would take a long time for all the people to do this across the US. Not making headline news? This is a serious allegation. How would anyone know just by looking at it? Not that many people have water coups in their crates at a show. I'm not buying it. Too far fetched. It would be on headline news.

I regret the thread on the was closed. I felt like nobody badmouthed anyone. Then rethought it. If I feel very strong about something I love it. So when people say horrible things about it I can see it being hurtful and personal. As a list mod you make any rules. But, you know we're not the USDA or lab testing animals. Many share similar passions if we could get past the misconceptions. There are radicals out there.

It's not about freedom of speech. It's about respecting one another. We should be about to share opinions w/o being hurtful. Freedom of speech isn't possible in life. Understanding is part of the solution. Not knowing how makes it worst. Your list, your rules. I understand. But you aren't a radicals. You sound like it pains you to hear people be hurtful to anyone. You sound very bright. Ideal candidates to clear the air. Maybe you won't get new members. But you will gain more respect for your mission.

I've also had been guilty of being lax, especially at a Specialty. Specialty events are held in Grand Ballrooms in hotels, where most everyone is familiar and friends with one another. At dog shows there are so many outside entrances into a venue and so many building entrances.....anyone can get into the venue. Yes, there's usually security, but all it takes is one person whose thinking is just a bit off....

I agree. And yes - we all know most of the people at the shows, especially Specialty shows. I was thinking, when at the Memphis Specialty Show, that most often Specialty shows are in hotels, with others checking in and out not showing too. I was only watching at this show, and most were with their owners/handler the whole time. As exhibitors we also try to watch one another dogs though, if someone has an emergency or whatever. We do try to help one another. And one of the ways we help one another is to try and be a guardian over all yorkies.

I do remember a time though when you could go to a show and not have to worry at all! It was a very safe place and safe for all, even for the children and young adults that attend. One one had to worry at all. You could leave something - whether a brush, waterbottle, table, whatever and it would be there when you returned.

Showing still a family affair with family members and friends. And we should have the right to enjoy our time and feel safe when we go today. Unfortunetly this is no longer reality. So sad that it is a few that ruin it for the majority!!

It's worse here. Most shows are held outdoors, one doesn't leave their equipment overnight, least of all leave their dogs unattended. I've always been lucky in the past, traveling with people I knew, taking care of each other....not been that lucky in California, so I've had to become more cautious once more.

Guess I'd better get out and buy that lottery ticket so I can build that house "out back" for you guys and get you back to Texas ...(where you belong).

Mary, I'm sure that is tough having to unload your equipment everyday...we've gotten spoiled here in the TX/OKC area LOL..yeah you need to move back to TX LOL...
When I'm at specialty shows that are held in a hotel that I'm staying at, I never leave my dog at my set up for the most part I normally take back to my room. I've left Radar in his crate in OKC and Houston in the ballroom on occassion but I'm still in the ring area watching someone else but I'm close by but normally at specialty shows I take Radar back to my room.
I will always be aware of my surroundings from now on and to think about it I probably won't be posting publicly anymore even here where I'm going next because for some reason my guard is up and not sure who's watching me anymore.
Donna

Good idea about not letting people where your next show is.

Outdoor shows are another cup of tea altogether. In some ways I love them more, we usually have bbqès at night with our friends, and sometimes the grounds are set in a beautifull park, with lots of hiking trails and even water for the dogs to swim in.

But for us they are an equipment heavy. We need to take fans, and a generator, particularly if there is no electrical on site, and if weève had problems in the past with electricity at that show site. We need awnings, and solar blankets, ice, and coolers of water for the dogs. Because of wider open spaces at least here in Ontario, exhibitors spread out more, so it can be difficult to make sure someone is watching over your set up.

We usually chain our generator to a nearby tree, and remove all water food and grooming tools to our van. We do tend to leave our crates in situ, and travel back to the motel in our van. We have two sets of crates for all our dogs. So one set is always in our van.

It is also harder to know all the exhibitors as they are dispersed throughout the show grounds, and sometimes there is a high public attendance at the shows. With outdoor shows you need to be prepared for rain, hot hot temperatures, or conversly cold temperatures, high winds, etc, whatever Mother Nature decides to throw at you today.
Bathing dogs, particulary large dogs is problematic at best, so our best friend is the waterless bath, raincoats, booties, etc.

Having said all that my hubby and I love the outdoor shows, we love to camp and hike and be outdoors. Razzle is also a good hiker as he showed us last summer on vacation. That little man, went with us as we built up to hikes of 5 hours per day over 2 weeks. I had set up a back pack on our bigger male to take the little one if he tired out. He never did! While our big dogs carried their water, I carried water for Razz so that he didnèt have to.

Yeah gonna keep it kinda quiet where I go these days and only post after I get home :)

Keeping quiet about where you're entered isn't only about safety. It's common practice not to share so much.

I don't share much but it's never mattered to me so much that anyone knew where I was going to show because if what you mean that it might give someone the idea my house is left unattended that's not the case because my husband is always home when I'm at dog shows and it's more common that you know as to exhibitors letting some others know where you're going so we can meet up, here for example, not all have my personal number and for a reason LOL....and for maybe getting someone new to come watch a dog show but now I know it's not always in the best interest for some to know where I'm going :) I never really cared that someone knew where I was going to show and come watch because I love for newbies to come to dog shows and get that experience :) but yes don't share too much :)

Donna

Just wanted to say - this is so interesting :thumbup: Thanks to you all for posting 'experiences' - I've been to shows but never knew all that was involved behind the scenes and it gives me a new appreciation for you show people.

Gemy- I was laughing at yours - the outdoor shows ALMOST sound like a like a vacation :)....I don't think people understand all the hard work involved with these beautiful dogs we all love - I'm one of those - but do like reading about it

Yes, they are a lot of work. It is our of dedication to our breed that we are troopers and tough it out and keep truckin. LOL It is a lot of work. We learn so much by going to the shows.
I remember one show was outside and so cold and windy. It had rained on Saturday and my girl did not like walking in the grass, let alone in wet grass. And then Sunday a cold front came through. We were under a tent, but the wind would just whip through it. We were huddling around our babies to protect them. And we had little heaters too. Have to be well prepared. We did great that day and got a 2nd, even beat a top breeder and I was still new returning. It is days lilke this that keep you going.

Then the last show I was in a month or two ago. It was 17 degree F in the morning. Luckily we had our RV and could stay in there till ring time. That was so much easier with the RV.

It is so nice to go and meet up with old friends and make new friends too. This is where we chit chat and learn too.

Oh, and can't forget the one time - I almost did. Can't believe this time was not the first thing I mentioned. Well, we had bought a used RV (our first one) and was heading to Myrtle Beach. My son in-law and my daughter took off first with the RV still I could not get off earlier from work and they were going to go and get a spot and set up. I think the beach made them want to go this time. Well, on the way the RV stopped. It threw a rod and was not going to make it. We ended up on the side of the road till we could get assistance, by this time we had caught up to them and was dark. We finally got towed into a Wal-Mart parking lot by a hotel at like 6 AM. The hotel people wanted to charge us that night stay if we signed in now, so we sleeped in the car (that my hubby and I were driving - SUV) with three yorkies and a large lab, and all the stuff from the camper that we could get in the car. My knees were up to my chest the whole time I slept. When I woke I did not think my legs would ever move. Then around 8 we checked in to the hotel and the guys looked at the RV. It was dead and not going anywhere. So we tried to get everything out of the camper - towing it home was not an option. Too much for what the RV was worth. We did not go to the show on Sat. trying to call arounnd and get help. But we did make it on Sunday and my girl got her first points that day with my daughter handling her! We have the show photo to remember it by! What a memory! And we did make it to the beach. And to top it off - we had heard about a homeless person that was living in the woods and we gave him the camper. He was still living it as of last year.

Great memories! It was very kind of you to give your camper to someone in need.
I would love an RV but they are so expensive. Maybe one day, my dream will become reality!