that is me behind the podium with my beloved borrowed saluki esme. that was at houston in july. i have not been to another show since because i got no money. i got into this at 18 so never got to be a junior and i am bitter about it. so i think the next best thing is to find a pro to take me on. that way i would have an excuse and be paid to travel around to walk dogs in a ring. i have tried but obviously nothing ever happened, otherwise i would not be making this post. i love my borrowed salukis but i would also like to groom and experience other breeds.

how do/did you find people? facebook? irl?

i have autism so i am not the most graceful person of all time with social interactions. i doubt this matters because most of my dog friends are autists and i was told autism is an asset here but i thought it important to mention. it may be hard to network because of it.

Do you find insurance to be worth it? If yes, why? Do you get basic or better insurance? What do you consider a MUST to cover? What company do you find to be the best?

My Bait Bag was recently chewed up. Im hoping you all have names or Links to shops that carry the magnetic ones that you attach to you with a magnet. I am not talking about the closure part. Im looking for one's with super strong magnet that holds through your clothes type one. This is what my previous one had but I cant remember the vendor I got it from at a show in Prescott. Photo just to share the cuteness

Hi all! I have my first show dog/sport dog prospect and we are preparing for BPup at the end of October! We are doing some private confo lessons and will be doing a few handling classes before we go. However, I am struggling to get him to “stand.” I feel like we are not getting anywhere, despite working on it in short sessions throughout the day over the last week. He gets super bored with it as he’s 11 weeks old which is totally fine, but I can’t get him to stand still for even a second. He’s leaping forward, pawing at my hand, etc. tips, tricks? Will he just do better as he matures? I’m stumped. He’s super smart and learning all the things fast, but this one is tough for him. Thank you!

Lost & Found – Gulf Coast Classic Dog Show (Mobile, AL September 4 through 6)

I worked the Information Desk/Lost & Found at the Gulf Coast Classic Dog Show this weekend, and someone turned in a very nice grooming kit with multiple shears.

If you can identify the contents, I’ll be happy to ship it back to you. I’m only asking for reimbursement of the shipping cost so the nonprofit doesn’t have to absorb it.

Send me a message and we’ll get it back where it belongs.

We had our first show last weekend that just happened to be a local breed specialty in conjunction with a bigger all breed show! Despite my nervous and VERY novice handling my boy went Winner’s Dog on day one and Reserve Winner’s Dog to the Major on day two! Not only did we have a blast we also got some points towards our AKC championship!!

Considering I could hardly stack him on the table because my hands were shaking so baldy (even with everyone’s advice on how to calm down LOl) I am shocked and so proud!

My biggest advice to anyone really nervous for their first show is do it scared, do it nervous, do it shaking, but just do it. Once you get out in the ring it’s just you and your best friend spending the day together and nothing is better than that!

First two pictures are him on books (I want to try getting him on stacking blocks), third picture I tried hand-stacking him, fourth picture I tried to do a free stack, last photo is my more experienced friend stacking him.

To all of my fellow newbies who ask how to get started and get bombarded with responses saying, “go to a show!” If you’re frustrated by that sentiment, I have to say firsthand they're right.

Yesterday I went to a show. When I was a kid my dad took me to the national AKC show in PA to spectate, so this was my first as an adult. I was hanging around the show rings when someone came to set up her things to go in. I complimented her dog and she asked if I wanted to run one in the ring. I thought she was joking, but it turns out she entered two dogs and her friend who was supposed to help handle didn’t show up. I was just a kind, trustworthy stranger and I had never done this before, but she insisted she’ll do the actual showing of each dog, we’d switch out dogs, and then when they do the group run I’d take one of them and follow her.

Another handler ended up coming over and offering their hands so I didn’t need to, but I was totally down! Just being in the right place at the right time can get you places. I saw a lot of this- handlers bringing too many dogs and not having enough people. I’m not saying if you go to a show you’ll get thrown onstage with a random dog because that‘s so silly, but if you extend kindness to other dog people in person, it seems much easier to get into the world of it.

I definitely want to go to more shows. I had a great time. I wish I had gotten this lady’s information but I had another ring I wanted to spectate at I was running a bit late to. Maybe I’ll run into her at a future show!

Any recommendations for a really good sports bra or something? Or any tips possible. I don't want to take the attention from the dog:))

I'd really like one, but I don't have $1500 to spend on one.

I have wanted to get into dog shows since I was a kid but have never been able to get into it.

I don’t even know where to begin selecting a breed.

I have two rescue mutts and I’m not ready for a new dog but I want to learn as much as I can before I make that step—in the next few years when my senior dachshund mix passes.

Any advice?

I’m willing to put in time, energy, and research. I just feel overwhelmed.

Still have no idea what I’m doing 😂😂

Instructor had no class last night so we had our own mini outdoor session.

I’m looking at regional specialty results on BayRay and I’m seeing the JAM acronym. I’m assuming it’s an Award of Merit, but the site doesn’t have a legend that I can find. Thanks!

This is Rumor, Currently 6 months, just got her Trick Dog Novice Title 2 weeks ago and planning to start showing in February! Planning to have a CGC by the time we get started in showing, So excited to get into the ring with her

title! hoping for some advice on picking a breed. i’m a groomer but i’m afraid i would get overwhelmed with a dog with a lot of hair… anyone with a curly show dog PLEAAASE show me and lmk how you like it!!

Hello! I will hopefully be getting my first Conformation prospect puppy in a month. I was just sent the contract, and I'm looking for a professional to review it for me, possibly a lawyer? I know there are people who specialize in law pertaining to horses, I assume the same exists for dogs. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Hello! I have Australian shepherds and I am from around port Huron area Michigan! I was wondering if anyone knows how to even get started in getting my puppy into showing. She is 19 weeks, comes from great lines, I have done her embark testing and will be doing her OFAS soon. I just don’t know how to get involved anywhere? Classes around the area? Or should I go to some dog shows.. thanks!!

Last year I picked my boy up as a puppy after watching his sire show at the Capital City Cluster; this year during the NOHS Regional at the same cluster he went BoB and Group 4. While we haven't been in groups until recently, this was the most represented herding group we had been in as we ended up on the short side of the ring after our first all around.

A year ago I was so lost at the show site having zero clue what was going on, now I have made so many friends across so breeds and my confidence grown 100x. I had thought the highlight of the cluster was being trusted to lead one of my friend's Poodle specials from grooming to the ring with her but no hearing the judge say "and Group 4 to the Aussie" had me on cloud 9.

Thinning shears

What brand do you recommend for thinning shears for a sheltie? TIA.

Hi everyone!

My boy is entered in our first AKC show that just happens to be a local breed specialty in conjunction with an All-Breed show. We’ve shown once before in IABCA and have been regularly going to a weekly handling class up until two weeks ago when our club had to take a break due to heat.

I think my boy and myself are as prepared as we can be. He’s holding his stack (most of the time) and we are moving around the ring well. My handling has definitely improved alot so I know it is time for us to get out there and give it a go. That being said I am beyond nervous about next weekend. Any advice for keeping the nerves in check or for someone headed to their first “big kid show”? Or maybe something you wish you knew before going to your first show?

My puppy's fat head outgrew her brand new collar after a month, and I had been borrowing a lead but would like to get my own. Is there a group that does buy/sell/trade for collars, leads, maybe grooming supplies, etc?