Got a show question.....help!
 

Ok, Ok, I know......I have some of the oddest questions. Well, here goes......

Can someone, or is there a timeline developed anywhere that would tell me what to do with a puppy that I am interested to showing.....

For instance......

9-12 wks....begin growing coat

4-5 mo----begin walking on lead

5-6 mos...take in the ring, practice....practice....on and on......


Something that would work that I could use when I have a Yorkie to begin training for the show ring.....

What exactly is "training a Yorkie for show???"


Thanks
Shirley

I am no expert but I would suggest buying a showing book. there a few outy there. Also I know first thing you want to do is getting them used to being handle all over the body. Then getting then to stay still in a certain position (stacking). The grooming. Basically it all should start from day one.:thumbup:

The one thing is to make everything fun and let them be a pup 1st.

Start by getting them use to being handled.....grooming, laying and standing for you on the grooming table. Start stacking on the grooming table. But, use the lead. I start with getting them use to having it around their neck when they're about 8-12 weeks.....

Coat growing-The secret to growing coat is keeping it clean. Never brush a dirty coat, or a dry coat (always spray the brush with some sort of conditioner before brushing) and don't over brush. Use a natural bristled brush (Mason-Pearson Brush).

I start walking on lead about 12-14 weeks.....being careful not to push it, letting them lead (getting them to follow you will come after they get use to the lead) and keeping in mind that they're teething from this point until 6 months.


If you have a training class in your area, it would be very benefical to attend for socialization. Get them use to noises, take them to shows before actually being eligable to enter.....this helps them get use to the sights, smells and sounds of the dog show and prepares them for traveling.

There is so many things to prepare your dog as well as yourself. Good Book is The Winning Edge - George Aliston.

Mardelin gave great advice.

All I can add is that everytime I pick up my puppy that I hope to show someday, I put it on the table even if for a brief moment. Secondly, I start them on a lead at 12 weeks and continue from then on.

One thing I do is start feeding them very small treats from my hand along with saying their name, but only give the treat if all four feet are on the ground and they are looking at me. This is free stack training and will be so handy later in the ring. You can start this at any time, if they like the treats they will walk with you and the puppy gets trained with out any real work from you , just a bit of fun time and good food.

Yes! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: Very valuable.
A friend who first taught me how to do that called the treat "cookie". It kind of stuck with me so now I say the word and hold the treat near my mouth with fingers closed around it. When they look at me and stand still on all fours I give it. After a few days, I can do it without the treat everytime. Where do you hold your hand Debbie?

Edited...ha ha what I meant to say is "am I doing that correctly?" LOL!

Oops! Treat training is very important, food motivated dogs do very well in the ring. The one thing that I forgot to add is that I clicker train my dogs before doing anything with them.

Wow....great advice....keep it coming....I am writing as fast as I can....
 

This is perfect! Exactly what I was looking for......

If you guys think of anything else, I am a sponge......:):):D

Shirley give me your email address I have a few articles I can send you that will help training a show puppy ...I tried to PM you but your box is full:(

Oh, thanks for the heads up...I will empty it....
 

I will send you my personal email...that will work better anyway...and I will empty my mail box.

Thanks so much....

Shirley

sent:)

My key word is "bites". Tahlulah is so food motivated, that when I first took her in the ring I wasn't sure how she was going to do.....well, I got her to do her down and back and her individual, by softly saying bites, bites bites......all the way around the ring......That was her 1st day in the ring and she took WB, BOW & BOS & Best Puppy.

Absolutely fascinating! I'm soaking all this up like a dry sponge!:thumbup: Keep it coming!!!!!

This is a wonderful thread.......I too am soaking up everything you are writing!!! I am in the process of purchasing a Silky to show in the show ring under a mentor (his breeder) who will be teaching me about showing, training and grooming......so I am loving reading all your wonderful advise!!

Shirley - Does this mean you have found your baby finally? If so - do tell! I hope congratulations are in order. :)
T.

Sometimes your mouth may be a bit high for a toy dog, you might want to try around your waist high. I have seen some dogs look up really high like your mouth and it tends to through their top lines off because they have tipped their heads back so far. Try for the waist especially for puppies.
This is what works for me.... There is always exceptions to every dog.

Debbie your right, at the show a few months ago animal planet was giving away a treat carrier that hooks onto your pocket or belt hoop. I use this in conformation class with the pups, fill it in front of them, latch it on, they know where the treats are and tend to always look up for the next treat...

Thanks! I wish I had someone to film me when I show so I could see little things that I may not be aware of otherwise.

It would help. There's one thing I do, that was suggested by George Aliston, As your dog grows and matures, take pictures of your dog when they are groomed, so that you can make adjustments on their grooming and presentation.

I have two small leather bait bags that attach to belt loop or pocket with a gold pin. Haven't used them much lately but will be dragging those back out. I guess they're perfect being they're attached at the waist. Sure wish I had them with me once when we all ran out of bait and the show was sold out. Had to buy a hot dog at last minute...put small pieces in my pocket and it made a greasy spot on my good pants.

I had an issue with bait one weekend...had everything ready...felt confident and good...checked the board and our judge (ukc) had posted "no bait". Uggg.

Yes, that's a great suggestion. I do tend to take alot of personal pics for me, myself to go back and look at later. Last show I was at I had a topknot pulled too tight and made my dog's eyes appear more round than they were. Could have kicked myself. I didn't notice it in person but it showed in the pics.

Yes, you do have some judges that have little quirks, no bait (word commands for back up work great for those times. \

The judges I hate are the ones that have issues with hairspray......boy the product adjustments you have to make to get that topknot to stay up.

Not yet......
 

but, you all will be the first to know.....LOL

Shirley

I know what you mean about taking pictures. I was at a show and my hubby took a picture of me in the ring -when a was waiting for the last one to finish their turn on the table - and your have your yorkie in their stance position on the floor for the judge to finish with that one and take that final look at the line up - well I was holding too much hair in my grip (while holding the tail) and made the back look weird. I know not to do that again. From now on we take pictures at home and practice table stances and floor stances as well as free sanding poses to see if everything is right. The digital cameras are great since you are not wasting any film.

I also use a mirror in my groom room and practice on the table with them too. This way I can also check using the mirror.

With treats - you do have to know the dog. Most of mine do great with the liver treats. But one - no way! She would be going crazy looking for more treats and checking the floor and jumping too - if I had shown her a treat while in the ring. So no treats for her - hand signals and voice commands work best for her.

I hate it when people leave treats (crumbs) all over the runway in the rings!! What a way to get your dog off focus. I practice too at home with treats here and there on our practice runway - so they learn to leave the treats on the ground. But boy, is this hard to train.

Shirley - good luck!! I hope you have a baby soon. Must be real soon if you are buying stuff!! Hummmmm?
T.

When I started going to dog shows and before I started handling, I use to wonder why you'd see handlers in the ring sweating.......well once in the ring I figured it out......it's not as easy as it looks.....presenting a dog to it's best advantabe is not easy, especially when you're trying to be a backdrop, knowing your dog well enough so that you can sense what they're going to do before they do it and make the correction without anyone seeing it.....
I think the toughest thing for me was to learn keep my hands still and off the dog and let the dog show itself

So much for my discretion....
 

Hummmmmmm Tina.... I bet you know what is under your Christmas tree too......LOL, LOL

We shall see...soon........

I tried the local AKC..., and another question....
 

Looking for a conformation class........no such luck......any ideas?????

I'm sure you contacted your local kennel club. Is there a handler in your area that would be open to private lessons?

Shirley
I would bet the places below would be able to refer - good luck!

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David M Wilson
8293 Franklin Road
MURFREESBORO , TN, USA
k-9service@comcast.net
Phone: 615-349-5433
I am a certified trainer and working K-9 handler. I provide private training for your dog at your home in an environment where they are comfortable thus more ready to learn. I use only positive motivation training methods. I also offer specialized training such as search and rescue, HRD, forensic and other working disciplines. Call today for more information and prices.



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Gabor Szilasi

NASHVILLE (METRO) , TN, USA
gabor@k9imports.com
http://www.k9imports.com/Training.htm
Phone: 615-714-4737
I am a UN certified trainer since 1976 (only one in area) , trainer in both K9 work (the instructor for the K9 trainers, handlers and dogs). One of the 1st in home trainers in Nashville, I not only have the certfication and the experience to train your dogs, I have the hands on experience with my own dogs and results to show for it. The training is conducted at your business, in your home and in your neighborhood; your dog's most familiar environment and where most of the problems occur. Private classes offer flexibility with your time scheduling and private one on one attention.

Shirley I just received this email maybe they can help you with conformation!
all the best!

From:suedicero@comcast.net

To:kkingpdx@comcast.net
Subject:conformation classes in Nashville
Date:Monday, December 25, 2006 3:38:00 PM

Kimberly,

Saw that someone was looking for conformation classes (we have web-stats). Contact Nashville Dog Training club for handler classes, if they are looking to handle the dog themselves. If they are looking for a handler, there is one located in Hendersonville at Doggie Daze Grooming. Very experienced in grooming for show and handling multiple breeds.

Doggie Daze
660 E Main St
Hendersonville, TN 37075View Map
615-264-2854
Hope this helps!

Sue DiCero and Gabor Szilasi

Alpha K9 Dog Training www.k9imports.com

615-714-4737