Thanks YT Mentors!
 

My SweetPea and I went to our first show (as spectators of course), and what a learning experience for me. As suggested my YT mentors, I connected with the people, specifically with three individuals who were either a breeder/s and a handler/breeder. I also managed to ask for their opinion and assess My SweetPea. Separately they thold me (1) she has a "good topline"; (2) she is "very promising, let us hope she does not change, which they may do in 8-9 months"; (3) and she has "good potential, you should try to get her in the ring to show".
I would have not have the courage to approach them were it not for the advise and positive encouragement of YT mentors, most especially Mardeline, Tegamom1, Feminvstr and Dray.
Now I am more confident knowing the next steps to take.
Thank you, :thumbs up thank you for pointing me to the right direction!:)

Hugs,
Lita, Newbiemom to My SweetPea

Aren't those shows fun!! How cool for them to tell you those encouraging words. ARe you going to try showing her?

Post some pictures of her! Let's see this adorable girl!! :)

Sounds like you'd better get busy and get ready for the show ring. How very exciting! Congratulations!

Congratulations on the great feedback, I hope your girl turns out well for you. Now its time to get into the ring and show her off.

Today, My SweetPea and I attended a conformation class, . But we had to sit out the first class and wait for second one because My SweetPea was too scared:eek: . The trainer was kind to give me additional tips after class. My Sweetpea is so new at this, she still has to learn to walk on a leash:aimeeyork . I have enrolled her in beginners class also. I really just feel so ignorant, but luckily;) , I have not been short of encouragement from everyone. I feel for My SweetPea. We've been out of the house and in the Dog Training Club for almost three hours this evening! And she is just so tired:( (and confused like me, I suppose:confused: ).
Thanks again.:)

There is a sanction B Match for yorkshire terriers only coming in 24 days. Makes me wonder :confused: if My SweetPea will learn basic conformation by then. It really is so inundating :eek: for a newbie like me. But just the same, I paid the pre-entry fee. There are no major pointed dogs allowed in this match, which evens out the playing field a bit. I will just be so happy if she walks inside the ring and get that first experience under her (my) belt :D . I will let you know how that turns out! I am so anxious about all this.:eek:

A scared newbie

I took these two pictures on the right tonight just for you. As you can see, My SweetPea has never been professionaly groomed (and I do not know how to groom her yet, I just give her baths, but I received a lot of helpful tips from MARDELINE, THANK YOU AGAIN!). Hopefully I will be able to do her ears soon.
The last two pictures were taken last Sunday at the fairgrounds during the show.

Sounds like the show bug may have bit you. It's a great way to enjoy your dog and meet others that share your passion. Take your gal out as much as possible. Get her used to meeting strangers and having them touch her. The judges at matches are very kind and understanding with these pups. She'll do fine and so will you. Have fun learning with your new lil show gal.

Way to go Lita!!! You're doing great and I'm really looking forward to keeping up with your progress in the show ring. Absolutely go to that match and have a great time. Don't get stressed at all, just enjoy. The training and experience will be wonderful for both of you and SweetPea!! Good luck and remember to keep us posted. Mary should have her internet up and running any day now but remember, you can call anytime!

Maybe you can start taking her on short walks every day around the block so walking on a leash becomes second nature to her and then the ring will be easy for both of you. Take her any where and everywhere you can get away with it .

She's gorgeous!!! Love that topline!!! Oooh...very exciting. Good luck with showing her. This will be fun to watch her journey here on YT! :thumbup:

I am truly enjoying My SweetPea, and adore her. I need to learn the sport because she has to try to reach her best potential. However, I would rather that a professional handler showed her, and I to just stay back and enjoy the show.
Thanks for your suggestion. I will do just that, perhaps bring her to the park and allow people to hold her? She does need to be comfortable with strangers touching her. During her first time out, did try to cling to my arms with her legs and paws and all and her body stiffened when strangers come near her. But at home, she is one bundle of joy, relaxed, with a great, happy temperament!

This afternoon, I purchased the lightest nylon buckle collar for My SweetPea, and a light leash. I put in on her, and allowed her time to get use to it.. she dragged it around.:p
Then I planted myself stationary in one spot in the middle of the concrete pad of our backyard, just holding the leash in one position. She struggled and pulled. I did not budge or move, and I stayed quiet, not a word from me.. and just allowed her to pull and struggle, but no reaction from me. I did not tug on the leash... I just let her be....

After about ten minutes of this, I think she got tired, because ... she finally got up and came to towards me. And when she did, I showered her with overtly happy, happy, many praises:bravo: !!!

Then I moved away to another spot until the leash was fully stretched. Again! she sat on her butt and started to be stubborn. She tried to pull and struggle. I just stopped. I held the leash in one place, but did not pull on the leash. She did all the struggling, I did not say a word. I remained stoic. She sat there for a long, long time ... still pulling while seated on her hind legs, it was starting to make me want to just end the session . She was like this for a long time!!!!

But then she finally got up came to towards me!!! And so I showered her once more with happy, exaggerated praises. :bravo:

When I moved to another location the third time, she started to move with me!!!! YEYYYY!!!. However, I walked four steps, and she would walk only a few, then sat.... and stayed there... but this time, she did not pull back or struggle But she just sat there. So I hurriedly went to the ref and got cheese (I have no treats available). Tried the same way, and when she sat, I showed her the cheese. I had to make her smell it first, because she has not had cheese before. I think she likes it, because it made her stand up and come to where I was. I did this four times. Praises, praises, praises. :bravo:

Now, I am holding the leash, I am on top of her, and I start to make many baby running steps in one direction, and My Sweetpea is :animal37 trotting with me, (TRIPLE YEYYYY!!!). Praises, praises, praises.

Then I do it again, and once again, and she runs with me... but this time she is running fast and around and in front of my feet, and trying to bite my shoes:rollingey !! And every time I walked the other direction, she's now so excited and trying to run around me and bite my pant leg :dribble: !

Now what am I doing wrong??:cry8: Arrrghh!!

Bottom line... she now walks with me on a leash :clapsmile !!!. The whole thing took almost an hour.

Tomorrow, I will follow your advise, and try to walk her around the block! Hopefully she will be CALM :p , I can't wait!

Thanks for listening!

That is great!! First lesson is always the hardest. When you go for your walk be sure to get some treats for her , maybe some jerky cut into very little pieces or even a hot dog cut up very tiny so she will not choke on a piece and can chew it easily. Be sure if she drops a piece that you do not allow her to pick it up off the ground, that she only gets to eat from your hand. Be sure when she gets a treat from you that she has to have all four feet on the ground, this will help in the show ring.

Once she gets moving well on the lead , make sure you have the leash on your left and hold your arm out away from your body and that will keep her from running in front of your feet. Lots of praise and lots of treats and she will love the walks in and out of the ring.

Make sure she looks at you when you give her the treat, this will teach her to bait and look very pretty in the ring. But remember the four feet on the ground rule and no eating off the ground.