Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 4:09 pm Post subject: It cant be as bad as i think?
Hi all - i was going to not post and carry on thinking my thoughts regardless - but i thought id put them to you and hear what people think. Firstly, i am not wanting to case arguements nor offend anyone. I know some others are wondering the same things so thought id get some first hand opinions
Is the showring really as pompus as i experianced at my first show? basically.
It was a while back now - and it was a FUN show. I found myself wanting to punch the one judge for calling myself and bailey names, not including being told to p*ss off. also what i would call bad handeling of my dog. who at the time was only just 6months.
I found the people there for serious reason (you could tell they were dressed perfectly and their dogs were fantastic - althogh it was a fun show i assume real showers take these oppertnities to 'pratice' so to speak before big shows etc - i found them all to be very rude and self centered, most of them seemed upper class and bascially 'better than me'
ive seen alot of tv progs and they all seem very rude and self centered too.
Now i know for example DI - shows, and i know she isnt how i saw these others (from reading on here)
Did i just have a very bad day or is the ring really like this? - bailey isnt showing material (i was 'nicely told') which is fine im just curious if this is really true - i find it difficult to believe from members on here being so nice - but being at that show really shocked me and changed my opinion.... can you change it back?
Recently i had a very similar experience. At the weekend i was at a doggy Charity event. Lots of money was raised and there was a little agility course and events etc etc. It was all for fun too.
However, i also found the people who attended to be mainly show or agility competitors and to be perfectly honest, their attitude stunk!
They weren't even sociable either! Fare enough the event was in aid of dogs etc, but surely the humans could have been sociable with each other
I tried to speak to a few people asking them about their dogs etc and they mumbled a few words then just blatenly blanked me out! It was horribly rude.
I ended up just wanting to go home, and left early. I know that many people on here show or do competitive agility and everyone on here seems lovely.
Oh goodness. I have heard all sorts of things too though I have yet to venture to my first show (which, stupidly for me is a big one!!! ) When I went to one without a dog everyone was really nice but I have been told it may change when you go with a dog, epsecially if the dog is any good. Mind you I have also been told to enter the ring as if I own it - how the hell am I gonna do that when I shall be more concerned about poohing my pants ?!!
I suppose you get all sorts. At agility shows we get those whose lives revolve around it and it is the bee all and end all and they MUST win at all costs and the rest of us who go along for fun and cheer when everyone else does a clear round (when we never do one!!)
As in all walks of life you are going to get all sorts taking part and all sorts judging.
I remember on one occasion, when writing to a very well known judge thanking her for agreeing to judge our exemption show, being told off for the way I addressed her in the letter!! (Actually after the show she invited me back to her house!) But actually you will find most judges are very nice people.
Yes, some people will use it as an opportunity to a air their show cloths. You will also find some top show people occasionally use these small shows as a training ground for their puppies. Watch them! Because you can pick up some great showing tips from them. Most are more than happy to chat because it is a fun show for them as it is you.
Some people are going to take it very seriously! My thoughts are that they are missing out on the fun! Their loss!
Most people are there for an afternoon out with their dog around other dog people. They are there to enjoy themselves and talk dogs! Treat it like that and you won't go far wrong.
Mind you I have also been told to enter the ring as if I own it - how the hell am I gonna do that when I shall be more concerned about poohing my pants ?!!
ROFLMAO @ Nicola - I can relate conveniently, the OH's (aka my handler ) ankle has 'gone' two days before our next show
Quote:
bailey isnt showing material (i was 'nicely told') which is fine im just curious if this is really true
Unfortunately, the only way you are going to find this out is by keeping going and enjoying yourself. Hally is a chocolate not bred for showing, but I take her to most local Open shows with us, whereas Clover was specifically bought for showing. I have been fortunate to get some feedback on Hally but I know visually she doesn't compare with many dogs in the ring
A couple of weeks ago at an Open show, Clover took 1st in Graduate, Hally 2nd - both beating dogs who've qualified for Crufts - you could have knocked me (and the onlookers ) down with a feather, I was very pleased with Clover's result, and absolutely delighted (and shocked) by Hallys - needless to say we went home with the biggest smiles on our face
Other than that, will reserve my right to silence on this one
the fun shows ive beren to have been a mixed bag too i just got on with it me n my 2 were having fun my trainer was there n also some others from classes but there were of course some that took it seriously n then there were a few that really shouldnt have been there atall a couple with very agressive dogs n even one man that hit his gs whilst in the ring!!! (he was soon told off by the judges) my 2 are not show dogs either but i really dont care they are winners to me thats all that matters as long as u have fun n make it fun for ur dog thats wot a fun show should be about
I can relate to the things written on here, I to when I first started ohh 20 years ago got told that my dog would never do, shes all wrong you get the idea, well that girl turned out to be my foundation bitch from which all my dogs come from, yes all my girls
I still do the fun shows as well as open and champ show and I love them, yes I use them as training for my pups but I am still there the same as everyone else, yes I would like to take the big ribbon home at the end of the day, but mind we are all there to be beaten ( well if you go, you would like to beat me and someone else would like to beat you , get the Idea)
I hope that any members that have met me dont think I am like those poor sports people, I will help anyone who asks for help as well as those who dont lol. I am afraid that what you see is what you get with me...........
most of you on here know that I run a companion show in august and I make a point of getting EVERYONE involved with the fun....aint that right Elle...............all shows should be an enjoyable experience
ok had my rant....going to go do somethimg usefull
mind you all go home with greatest dogs
____________ The Velvetine gang. Sookie, Solo & Darcie.
Ive only done a couple of show with our Kimmy and I always found the people at them to be really nice and helpful. Both shows were for the West of England Labrador Retriever Club and both were Open Shows. When we went to the first one last January the people were so helpful one even said to me in the ring dont get yourself stuck in the corner a judge never sees a dog stuck in the corner, always position yourself just before or just after.
Hopefully we will never come across the people that have been mentioned on here.
____________ Kimmy you will always be our superstar, we love you
Been reading this thread with interest. Companion/exemption dog shows should be fun and usually raise a lot of money for a good cause.
When we first got Jenna we did a couple of these with some success (success = getting a rosette of some colour) basically to hone our novice skills and that of our dog.
We did an agricultural show in the summer as she'd not been out for a while and it was only 20 mins away and again she was placed. There were the "show" classes which were heavily supported by mainly seasoned show folks, but they also ran a number of novelty classes which were heavily supported by "pet" folks. But it was a lovely day and we got chatting to a couple with their Shelties who had done a fair bit of exhibiting up and down the country. But there was no nastiness.
I often feel a bit guilty taking Jenna to these shows now and feel that we should be giving the odd pet person a chance, but as Velvetine says, these shows are really good experience for puppies.
I have been showing for about 5 years now and would not say that I have had any bad experiences. I have made quiet a few freinds through the shows and some of the people are only too happy to help, even though they dont know me very well. Even the judges can be nice.......most of them anyway.
I tend only to go to open and limit shows wih the ocasional championship show now and then. I love going to them, as well as showing my dogs , my attention has been brought to alot of lovely different breeds of dogs that I would not have looked at before.
I did go to a couple of companion shows, aswell as raising alot of money for charities everybody seemed to have a good time.
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) ankle has 'gone' two days before our next show 
but I know visually she doesn't compare with many dogs in the ring 
