Too old to show?

• 12-09-2007 5:03 PM

  sofiad83 Joined on 10-14-2007 Posts 36 Points 220

  Too old to show? Reply Contact Hello all!   I have a 4 year old show quality Pointer, she is a pet most of all. I had trained her for the show ring, but when she was younger she was very head shy so I decided not to show her. She is still timid with strangers, but she is a lot better. Sometimes I get the urge to start training her again and maybe give it one more try before I spay her. She loves everything, from running around the ring, to stacking, she's just not 100% sure about being looked over, specially around her head, but like I said she is doing better. What she does (or used to do ) is try to get away from the "strange" person, I don't know how she would be now, but I would like to take some classes with her. Her first trainer for the comformation classes was too rough with her, and I think she is part of the problem why I wasn't able to show her, she scared her so much I had to pull from the class, to this day she doesn't like her. (we still go to the training club for other classes). Do you think 4 years old is too old to start showing a dog? Do you have any tips on training a shy dog?   Thanks!

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• 12-09-2007 5:08 PM

  In reply to sofiad83

  mrv Joined on 09-10-2007 west central OH Posts 2,663 Points 745

  Re: Too old to show? Reply Contact Not even close to too old.  Teach a "say hi" behavior where she moves into a person.  In the beginning they dont have to touch her, just let her touch them with her nose.  Take her to a bunch of matches if you can find them.  When in obedience classes do a conformation stand for exam instead of the three touches.  Get some behaviors that she absolutely loves (like jumping, or spinning or whatever)  have her do those right after doing a ring presentation and exam.  That gives her something to look forward to and it can act as a reinforcer as well.

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• 12-09-2007 8:53 PM

  In reply to mrv

  lorib Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 2,541 Points 0	Re: Too old to show? Reply Contact I agree--she can still be shown as long as she's intact.  Spayed bitches and neutered males can't be shown in conformation.  I assume you know this, but just FYI if you don't!
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• 12-10-2007 12:06 AM

  In reply to sofiad83

  stardancnminpin Joined on 09-10-2007 SE Texas Posts 604 Points 65

  Re: Too old to show? Reply Contact  When I first got Keela and we started in the show ring, she was very shy with the judges. Didn't like them touching her at all! I despaired of being able to show her due to how she was acting. Granted, she is a toy dog and is judged on the table, but being a Miniature Pinscher - they are not known for being still on the table! But still! I couldn't show her like that, sidestepping and pulling away from the judge. So, lots and lots and lots and LOTS of practice out of the ring! First at home with family that she knew, then out in public. I had lots of her favorite treat, and everyone that approached got to feed her. We finally progressed to having them run their hands over her with her up on tables, counters, etc. We also did matches when I could find them. Always reinforced with treats. She know loves the table and the attention.  I say go for it! 4 years old isn't too old and the two of you will bond going through all this. Keela loves the ring even though she will always be rather standoffish with strangers. But she tolerates the judges exam and has taken a few reserves up against some really tough competition. And considering I am a total novice with absolutely no experience or access to handling classes - we have had a blast. Keela misses getting to go show since I had to have surgery. She gets so excited when I pull out her show gear or the grooming table. You'll never know till you give it a try, and I say go for it!   Amy, Jezebelle and Keela

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• 12-10-2007 11:47 AM

  In reply to stardancnminpin

  sofiad83 Joined on 10-14-2007 Posts 36 Points 220	Re: Too old to show? Reply Contact Thanks Guys! I think Im going to give it a try, even if it is just for fun, there're a lot of local shows coming up. I have to find a training club now, since the closest one I have which is perfect distance (10 min) still has the instructor I don't like.   How can I find out about the matches?   Thanks! Here's my Annie girl
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• 12-10-2007 11:49 AM

  In reply to sofiad83

  rwbeagles Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW, TX Posts 14,600 Points 2,025	Re: Too old to show? Reply Contact where are you located? that has a bearing on where I tell ya to look for matches Gina H. dog.community Moderator "But my dreams...they aren't as empty, as my conscience seems to be."-The Who
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• 12-10-2007 11:51 AM

  In reply to rwbeagles

  sofiad83 Joined on 10-14-2007 Posts 36 Points 220	Re: Too old to show? Reply Contact I live in Florida, in the Tampa bay area
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• 12-10-2007 12:07 PM

  In reply to sofiad83

  rwbeagles Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW, TX Posts 14,600 Points 2,025

  Re: Too old to show? Reply Contact Hmm not sure if onofrio does your area but start here... www.onofrio.com Click on Show Info then there's a drop down to select Upcoming Show (all) or something close. You can page thru those and look for FL shows. When you click on the link to a show you can view the premium list and they will often say if there is a match attached to it....usually they are offered only on Saturdays, after BIS judging is concluded.   I just clicked and looks like their site might be down so you might check later. Gina H. dog.community Moderator "But my dreams...they aren't as empty, as my conscience seems to be."-The Who

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• 12-10-2007 3:39 PM

  In reply to sofiad83

  HoundMusic Joined on 09-01-2007 Bronx, NY Posts 465 Points 0

  Re: Too old to show? Reply Contact sofiad83: Do you think 4 years old is too old to start showing a dog? Do you have any tips on training a shy dog?      Not at all!!!!!!!! If she has the fundamental good breeding that it takes to make a show dog, it's never to late. The shyness is a problem, however, so you may want to hire a professional in home trainer/behaviorist to help her overcome that. She many never love to show, and if not, then there has been nothing lost. You'll know you gave it your best & that's all you can do sometimes. But if you never try ... there may always be regrets, and life is too short for those!      BTW, will be breeding one of my bitches to a male who only recently acquired his AKC championship .... he's 6yrs old and hadn't set foot (er, paw) into the showring until a few months ago. And he consistantly won over specials dogs ...

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• 12-10-2007 5:59 PM

  In reply to sofiad83

  samshine Joined on 09-10-2007 Denver, CO, USA Posts 382 Points 0

  Re: Too old to show? Reply Contact Oh she is very pretty! I really like clicker training for conformation showing. Especially for situations like this where you can't use a treat to lure good behaviour. Start classes and then matches as soon as you are ready. But a word to the wise, before you enter her in any real shows, you will need to do some conditioning. I would want to see more muscle on her, especially her rear. Also, I maybe see signs of a "saddlebag" above her loins. She would need to lose that. I really hate making comments like that, but the sooner you hear it the better. Good luck!

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• 12-11-2007 9:13 AM

  In reply to samshine

  sofiad83 Joined on 10-14-2007 Posts 36 Points 220

  Re: Too old to show? Reply Contact Thanks everyone! Samshine, I don't get offended at all. Sorry for the dumb question but whats a "saddlebag"? I take Annie on bike rides 1 - 2 times a week, I walk her everyday of course,  the bike rides are about 30 min long but I could up that a bit,she's always been slender, her mom has that type of comformation (she's a CH also). Here's her pedigree That's an old pic of her on top, she filled up a little since then, she was about 2 in that pic, I have to do an update on her website. One of these days.... :) http://anniewebsite.tripod.com/anpedigree.html

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• 12-12-2007 3:34 PM

  In reply to sofiad83

  samshine Joined on 09-10-2007 Denver, CO, USA Posts 382 Points 0

  Re: Too old to show? Reply Contact Hi there, sorry to be so late answering. I had to work until 1am last night. Her pedigree looks great, beautiful dogs! To me, she looks more show ready in the picture at the top of her pedigree. In the picture you posted on this thread she looks like she could lose some weight. I am referring to the area between her rib cage and the start of the rear legs. Not the lower part, she has a nice tuckup still. The upper half of this area. You do want to see muscle there, but I think it does not look like muscle.... you know what I mean! lol Compare the two pictures. And if you start hanging around dogs that are ready for the show ring you will start to see things differently. What pet owners think of as a good weight often appears to be fat to me. She looks worthy of being shown to me. Give it a shot, you will probably have a good time and meet some wonderful people.

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• 12-12-2007 8:32 PM

  In reply to samshine

  sofiad83 Joined on 10-14-2007 Posts 36 Points 220

  Re: Too old to show? Reply Contact Actually I think in the old photo she was  too skinni, you can't tell in that one but you could actually see her ribs, she's a very picky eater when she was younger (she still is), she goes from stages of eating very well (like in the latest pic) to eating very little. I know what you mean about people not realizing their dogs are overweight, I work at an animal clinic and see that everyday. I am very vigilant about my dogs mantainig a healthy weight ,I'm not offended or anything by what you said, but I really don't think she is fat (and with her eating habits I don't think she'll ever be, lol) I will exersize with her a little more to bring more her muscle tone. Thanks again everyone for the advice.

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• 12-13-2007 10:54 AM

  In reply to sofiad83

  jennie_c_d Joined on 09-10-2007 Southeast Georgia Posts 8,575 Points 75

  Re: Too old to show? Reply Contact Emma went to her first dog show on her fourth birthday:) Of course, it was Rally.   We might see you at a dog show, sometime. We're in the same general area (South Ga, end up at a lot of Fl shows). Emma's going to hopefully get her CD and move towards her CDX over the next year. She's also looking to finish her RA, and RE.  We're trying to get to one weekend per month. We should be able to do well, that way. Mischeif N Miracles, CGC, RE (PRT, 10/13/2003) Libby's Monkey N The Middle (Chinese Crested, 1/26/2008) Teenie Weenie at the Bridge (Dachshund, ???-12/28/2007)

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