Supplies needed for Match this weekend?
 

Any suggestions on what I absolutely must have with me? The location is less than 30 minutes from my home. Thanks in advance!

You'll need a comb, brush, bands and bows.

A ringside table will double as a grooming table. A chair for you. x-pen for him to potty, don't take your dog into the public potty areas.

Dependent on on how long your dogs coat is, you'll need a flat iron. Anti-Stat, Hairspray, bitty bond, gel. Bait, bait bag for you. Bottled water. Squeekie toy. Breath mints for you.

Bitty bond? May I ask what this is?

It's to catch those little stray hairs and keep them in place. Can't go anywhere without it. Or at least put up a good show topknot without it.

And don't forget your show lead:D

I will be showing up like the "Country Mouse" lol Just made a quick trip to Wallyworld for an aluminum folding camp table which I read on another thread can be used as a ringside table & black rubber matting for it. Do I need to take the grooming arm from my actual grooming table with us?

Will definitely remember the show lead lol. I do not have an xpen at this time and I am worried that it would not make it in time with regular shipping and I refuse to pay for expedited shipping so any suggestions if I am unable to find one locally?

Also.. how long does his hair need to be to use a flat iron? And if it isn't long enough do I just blow dry it as straight as possible? I hate to throw too much at him all at once.

Gail, I was in Toronto this past May to go to the Hockey Hall of Fame with hubby. He was playing in an "old" man's tourney near Niagara. Beautiful area! He lived in Sault St. Marie as a kid.

I made a couple of bows today to only discover after more searching that some puppy bows use a pearl instead... should I make a couple more with pearl in place of the rhinestone & silver beads? I will have to run back to the store if so.

I cannot get a picture of his profile to save my life but these are from this afternoon.

Pearls are used sometimes. But, the rhinstone catches the light better.

This is a little off topic but I was reading an article this weekend by a very successful handler and he said that he always has ky jelly in his bag. Is this used for the topknot in place of the bitty bond? That's all I could come up with but didn't know if that made sense?

Who was the handler? And did he handle all breeds?

I've never heard or used KY for grooming a yorkie. The only thing I use it for is whelping time and taking temps.

The show site if they have vendors will likely have xpens. that can be solution one. You could in a pinch use your crate, I have large van and put Razz on pee pads in van to pee or poo. I also have walked/carried him away to the back side of the parking lot and place pee pads down for him to go on. I have never ever used the show site's xpens.

It was in the Yorky Club magazine. His name is Sergio Amien. He shows Yorkies but I think he shows several other small dogs as well. It was an older issue - November 2007 if that means anything.....
The article was actually very interesting and was titled 2 Talented Guys and was a side by side interview with Sergio and Kristen McGregor.

Sergio shows mainly in Europe. Kirsten is the top Yorkie Handler in the US.

Like I said I've never used KY for grooming.....I can't see a reason to use it. But, then every exhibitor has their own preference of products they use. And they're very dependent on what dog they're showing.

I guess at this point I will have to try something I already have for humans as the bitty bond for just this time and wash it out when we get home. This is a small match put on by the Nashville Kennel Club.
http://www.nashvillekennelclub.org/p...atch-flyer.pdf
Do you think there will be vendors for this as well?

Lisa

OMG You were in Toronto .Our babies could have met up for play :(

I didn't have him yet, but next time we are in the area for sure!

PM me and I'll tell you how to make your own Bitty Bond.

My attempt at a topnot.... I see that the fan on top tips to one side and the gold is not evenly balanced on each side. Any other booboo's I should be aware of?

And please ignore the gooby look on his face in picture B :p I was trying to get him to look down.

Lisa

Actually it's pretty good.

Tease the loose hairs from the topknot spray and fan them out. No black bow on your baby....

Thanks and I will do that. Did you get my PM about the bitty bond?

Yes, I did.....it should come in a pump spray...check CVS, or other drugstores.....That's strange, cause Wall Mart is where I buy mine.

Will do! Thanks again for everything! You have gone above and beyond for someone as clueless as I am.

Bless his heart he is putting up with me like a trooper : )

Yes I agree no black bow, it attracts eye to the dark. Clear red Mary? what do u think?

I agree! The black soccer bow is just one of four "Boy" boys I ordered for him. He will most definitely have poppy red in his hair on Saturday! And I am thrilled, I found an xpen in new condition on Craigslist for $35 so that is taken care of as well!

Good luck for the weekend:thumbup:

Thanks! I did a dumb move...as I have been practicing doing the stack on a table.... I have done so with bait... forgot all about putting his lead on for this part. It kinda freaked him out, he wanted to tuck his tail under. Aaaargh... and I think the glamour has worn off of chicken lol Gonna have to try a new bait.

I think I have bumped my head for trying this on Saturday lol. I am instructor in training for a riding facility for children with disabilities and our fall session started this week. It's crazy hot and when I get home I am drained so the last few days I probably should have practiced more.

We shall see how things turn out on Saturday : )

Always have the lead on them when you're working with them....

I've changed my bait to Cheerios.

LOL you sound like me, we all make those mistakes. You can try "spicing" up that good ole chicken with a light dusting of parmesan cheese, It smells yummy to the dogs. For grooming n baiting I only use a special treat that they get only for those two activities. My oldest boy, god love him, will if I leave the grooming room door open, will jump up onto the grooming table to get some of that "treat". Of course he gets disappointed cause Mom ignores him, cause it is not grooming time. :)

OH oh crazy hot, is your show indoors? If not better pack some chipped ice into a little portable cooler, do you have a little fan you can take?

Remember to watch how the judge is organizing the show ring. Some judges don't want you to "stack" your dog on entry, but to stand, and when they give the signal to trot your dog around you do so.

Also you have your ringside table get to ring about 15 minutes prior ring start time. Place pup up on table. watch ring.

Don't carry your dog all the way into the ring. Instead at entrance to ring, put dog down on floor and walk him in on the lead.

On the down n back. Sight on a stationary object and walk directly towards it. On the back to the judge, look at your dog the judge, and walk directly to the judge, stop about 1-2 ft away.

If your dog freezes up and doesn't want to move, remember to speak to him, call his name in a lilting tone, and say let's go, move on or whatever the words you use.

And after all of that advice, the best advice is to Relax and have Fun

Thank goodness it is indoors with a/c. I will try the bait suggestions, he loves anything new. Y'all have been so kind to me, thank you so much for your patience with my lack of knowledge. I would so love to not completely humiliate myself : )
For a squeaker can it be one of his favorite small toys or just one of the lil squeakers that are in a fabric pouch? And when is it proper to use it if allowed?

Here's the thing you want your squeakee to be small to fit into a pocket of yours, so if you have a small enough toy that's great use it

Proper to use it, certainly on the go around, or down and back away from the judge. ON stacking , sparingly.

Don't worry about humiliation, just go out have fun it is a fun match, so have fun.

One other word, please I know you have a lot to think about, but try to pay some attention to the dogs around you. Best to carry your dog into the show area, and out of it.

Once again best of luck. let us know what you thought of your first show experience. :)