Dog Show Imminent
Sep. 8th, 2011 10:44 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
summer_jackelThis post is all dogs all the time; only read if that interests.
So I went and entered Coba in a show, and somehow that date which seemed so comfortingly far off is now the day after tomorrow, because said show is this weekend. I am nervous and not attached to any kind of success, but I do feel more comfortable about the whole thing than I have been in the past. We're just back from a practice meet, which was useful.
Coba didn't do terribly well in the last obedience trial a couple of weekends ago, but we will get another chance, since we're entered in obedience and conformation for both days. I think we're ready, or at least at one of those stages in newbie-hood where the only thing for it is to just get out there and do the thing, screw up and learn.
Coba seems to be understanding what conformation showing is and what's desired of him, so he's relaxing, which is the important thing. I have a lot of anxiety about going back into a conf ring (we won't discuss my first experience with it), but now, with the understanding that we are not going to win, I'm actually starting to look forward to it. (I'm doing this because I thought it looked really FUN, right?) Obedience...well, I know he can do everything that's wanted and quite well, but this is a weird time for Coba. Well into his third year, he's becoming more emotionally adult; he's also been through a lot of major changes in the past couple of months with the loss of Jez and a new pup. This is translating in part to his being more confident, but not reliably so, and "rethinking" and testing some of his training. He is going to be a bit of a wild card in the ring this weekend---he could be perfect of abysmal. I'll try to calm down and support him by not telegraphing my nerves down his leash.
So here are my notes from tonight, written here because writing things down often helps me internalize them.
---Remember to hold left elbow close to hip, touching body; hand down with a relaxed appearance. Don't hold arm way out to the side.
---Bait while he's on the table, but not while gaiting him; the aim is that he looks ahead as he moves, and not up at me. He will naturally want to do this, since there's a dog in front of him, so I shouldn't distract him with food at that point.
---Ideally, the handler isn't looking at the dog during gaiting, to avoid distracting the dog when you want him looking forward. Look at him enough to know that he's moving the right way.
---The leash needs to be held "accordion style" in my left palm, looped around the upward-held thumb, tight enough that connection is maintained with the dog and so that his collar doesn't slip. If it does slip so that the leash interferes with his profile on the judge's side, fix it before bringing him out! I am really glad that I got a good lead; I didn't fully appreciate how much of a difference it made until I had one, and replacing his show chain with a leather collar might help the slippage issue. I'm understanding now why a loop lead might be a good idea, and may consider going that route when it's time to get a lead for Derzhava.
---REMEMBER TO BREATHE IN THE RING. RELAX. It is unforgivably silly to be more nervous in front of a dog judge than I have been the last few times I appeared in front of an actual, legal judge. It just is.
But enough of all that. You want puppy pictures.
I am in total puppy-warp; it seems unreal that Derzhava has been here over a week, or that she is growing as fast as she is. In relaxing into her life with me, she is revealing a subtle personality, alternately sensitive and bold, tender and sophisticated. She loves touch and attention, and really enjoys people. She's very bright and a fast learner; she food-leads reliably into 'sit', 'down' and 'stand' and showed understanding of what I wanted after 3-4 introductions to each command. I am hoping to establish all of these (and recall!) as fun games for her early on, before her sighthound independence and stubbornness come in...which they will, as she is going to be quite the strong willed girl. 'Zhava is going to be such a fantastic dog to work with. I absolutely love her.
I cannot believe how much she grew in a week. I didn't take enough pictures those first days!
She is getting much more comfortable with my other dogs, and is really starting to play with them as well as with me. Kyn visited, so we've had one walk with our entire combined pack...Rooster and 'Zhava are going to have a whole lot of high-octane tricolored fun when she gets a little bit older.
Handsome collie!
Pack
Kyn has all the collies. This image makes me really happy.
The sparkledog show shelt himself!
A completely random shot of Kaya foraging
Of course, all puppies this age function in spurts of uncontrollable energy followed by theatrical crashing-out. Since this is kind of how sighthounds are anyway, the zoom-and-crash cycles of a 12 week old Borzoi are a bit hilarious. 'Zhava already has a well-developed houndly appreciation for sleeping in soft places.
Of course, Bliss has a taste for the finer things in naptime comfort, as well. Or maybe the cats do.
So I went and entered Coba in a show, and somehow that date which seemed so comfortingly far off is now the day after tomorrow, because said show is this weekend. I am nervous and not attached to any kind of success, but I do feel more comfortable about the whole thing than I have been in the past. We're just back from a practice meet, which was useful.
Coba didn't do terribly well in the last obedience trial a couple of weekends ago, but we will get another chance, since we're entered in obedience and conformation for both days. I think we're ready, or at least at one of those stages in newbie-hood where the only thing for it is to just get out there and do the thing, screw up and learn.
Coba seems to be understanding what conformation showing is and what's desired of him, so he's relaxing, which is the important thing. I have a lot of anxiety about going back into a conf ring (we won't discuss my first experience with it), but now, with the understanding that we are not going to win, I'm actually starting to look forward to it. (I'm doing this because I thought it looked really FUN, right?) Obedience...well, I know he can do everything that's wanted and quite well, but this is a weird time for Coba. Well into his third year, he's becoming more emotionally adult; he's also been through a lot of major changes in the past couple of months with the loss of Jez and a new pup. This is translating in part to his being more confident, but not reliably so, and "rethinking" and testing some of his training. He is going to be a bit of a wild card in the ring this weekend---he could be perfect of abysmal. I'll try to calm down and support him by not telegraphing my nerves down his leash.
So here are my notes from tonight, written here because writing things down often helps me internalize them.
---Remember to hold left elbow close to hip, touching body; hand down with a relaxed appearance. Don't hold arm way out to the side.
---Bait while he's on the table, but not while gaiting him; the aim is that he looks ahead as he moves, and not up at me. He will naturally want to do this, since there's a dog in front of him, so I shouldn't distract him with food at that point.
---Ideally, the handler isn't looking at the dog during gaiting, to avoid distracting the dog when you want him looking forward. Look at him enough to know that he's moving the right way.
---The leash needs to be held "accordion style" in my left palm, looped around the upward-held thumb, tight enough that connection is maintained with the dog and so that his collar doesn't slip. If it does slip so that the leash interferes with his profile on the judge's side, fix it before bringing him out! I am really glad that I got a good lead; I didn't fully appreciate how much of a difference it made until I had one, and replacing his show chain with a leather collar might help the slippage issue. I'm understanding now why a loop lead might be a good idea, and may consider going that route when it's time to get a lead for Derzhava.
---REMEMBER TO BREATHE IN THE RING. RELAX. It is unforgivably silly to be more nervous in front of a dog judge than I have been the last few times I appeared in front of an actual, legal judge. It just is.
But enough of all that. You want puppy pictures.
I am in total puppy-warp; it seems unreal that Derzhava has been here over a week, or that she is growing as fast as she is. In relaxing into her life with me, she is revealing a subtle personality, alternately sensitive and bold, tender and sophisticated. She loves touch and attention, and really enjoys people. She's very bright and a fast learner; she food-leads reliably into 'sit', 'down' and 'stand' and showed understanding of what I wanted after 3-4 introductions to each command. I am hoping to establish all of these (and recall!) as fun games for her early on, before her sighthound independence and stubbornness come in...which they will, as she is going to be quite the strong willed girl. 'Zhava is going to be such a fantastic dog to work with. I absolutely love her.
I cannot believe how much she grew in a week. I didn't take enough pictures those first days!
She is getting much more comfortable with my other dogs, and is really starting to play with them as well as with me. Kyn visited, so we've had one walk with our entire combined pack...Rooster and 'Zhava are going to have a whole lot of high-octane tricolored fun when she gets a little bit older.
Handsome collie!
Pack
Kyn has all the collies. This image makes me really happy.
The sparkledog show shelt himself!
A completely random shot of Kaya foraging
Of course, all puppies this age function in spurts of uncontrollable energy followed by theatrical crashing-out. Since this is kind of how sighthounds are anyway, the zoom-and-crash cycles of a 12 week old Borzoi are a bit hilarious. 'Zhava already has a well-developed houndly appreciation for sleeping in soft places.
Of course, Bliss has a taste for the finer things in naptime comfort, as well. Or maybe the cats do.
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no subject
Date: 2011-09-09 06:19 am (UTC)Your puppy is ridiculously cute, but even more so, holy crap, Rooster has gotten HUGE and big and all collie-esque!
no subject
Date: 2011-09-09 03:45 pm (UTC)And I know, wasn't Rooster just a snout and a rat tail in puppy flannel, like, a couple of days ago? He has become all Noble, Elegant Rough Collie on us somehow. And now his winter coat is threatening to come in! He is going to get even prettier.
no subject
Date: 2011-09-09 06:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-09-09 03:46 pm (UTC)I love that my animals sleep in drifts, too. It really entertains me.
no subject
Date: 2011-09-09 07:39 am (UTC)And the one of Rooster and Zhava in the water, with their noses close together... d'awwww!
Enjoy the show!
no subject
Date: 2011-09-09 03:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-09-09 07:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-09-09 03:49 pm (UTC)But I also want to show her in obedience and maybe agility. You can (and arguably, should) all point and laugh.
no subject
Date: 2011-09-09 08:54 am (UTC)"Of course, all puppies this age function in snouts of uncontrollable energy..."
*giggle*
Now 'Zhava brings Legs! to your pack of snouts :)
Cute piccys. Thanks for sharing!
no subject
Date: 2011-09-09 03:51 pm (UTC)Or the snout. Glad you like the pics. Wait until 'zhava is a teenager; adolescent zois and their snouts are absolutely ridiculous...Borzoi enjoy the adorable puppy stage and the magnificent art-deco adult stage, but there's a reason you don't see too many photos of what lies in between. 'Zhava isn't going to be so lucky.
no subject
Date: 2011-09-09 12:44 pm (UTC)Best of luck at the show!
no subject
Date: 2011-09-09 03:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-09-09 02:24 pm (UTC)Also, Borzoi envy. <3
no subject
Date: 2011-09-09 04:02 pm (UTC)Borzois: they are awesome. And if you are seriously considering adding one, I can't recommend Aria Borzoi highly enough. Rita's strain is beautiful, accomplished and very healthy, and 'zhava came to me happy, adorable and well socialized. She is a great puppy!
no subject
Date: 2011-09-21 09:24 pm (UTC)Of course, this is in the future. I live in Canada, so I'm unsure about where exactly said Borzoi will be hailing from. Aria is a little far from me. :(
no subject
Date: 2011-09-11 11:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-09-12 12:55 am (UTC)What is your bosses' kennel name? I doubt that I know them personally...I am just starting to get to know all of the Borzoi people, although I made a pretty good start at the show this weekend...but it is highly probable that I know of/have heard of some of their dogs.
no subject
Date: 2011-09-12 05:20 pm (UTC)John is a dog show judge and he goes all around the world to judge. :)
Your new kid is awful cute no matter where she's from!!!
no subject
Date: 2011-09-12 05:37 pm (UTC)I totally love Derzhava...she's a beautiful little thing, and a total lap hound. Absolutely sweet puppy.