1st Puppy Match!

[Cayenne's Mom]

Well Zane and I are going to our first Puppy Match. I am so nervous and excited. Zane does pretty well but he is real wiggly when people approach him. I am taking him to the Breeders on Saturday to get some pre grooming tips and practice. It will be interesting because Zane has one ear that stands and the other falls. We have been attending Breed Handling Class and I have asked everyone I see to stick their fingers in his mouth and to touch him all over. Hopefully his class will be small since it is Mother's Day and it will go smoothly. I am going to get him up early and try to wear him out a bit. Any other suggestions from all of you experienced handlers?

 

[Alisha Mobley]

NOT an experienced handler here but wanted to wish you luck!

I took my Ruby to her first match a few weeks ago. I'm still having problems with the stacking but at home she moves really well! We get to the match and the stacking went better than I had expected but SHE WOULDN'T MOVE!! The match was held indoors on stained cement floors. Ruby HAD to sniff each and every spot each and every time we passed one!! I was basically dragging her around the ring.

Another thing that didn't go in our favor was the size of her class. There were a total of 7 puppies!:eek: I was hoping for only 1-2 others (or none!)...my main goal was to get some ring practice in for myself and Ruby...we weren't ready for competition! Had loads of fun though and found out the areas in which Ruby and *myself* need to practice most in.

 

[GoCougs]

Wiggly boxer puppies are normal. My little girl is 9 month and she still has the wiggles when the judge goes over her.

The judges expect, and are very patient, in the puppy classes. Temperament is very important in conformation, and wiggles means good things. You pup will calm down with age and experience. Just go through the motions and HAVE FUN with it. This isn't the time to be hoping for wins, or to get frustrated when your pooch acts like a goof. This is the time for you and your partner to learn and get used to the show ring. Wins will come in time.

Personally, I don't like small puppy classes. It's very rushed, and the young pups don't get a chance to settle in/down.

Good luck with the "wear him out" deal. Mine has an endless reserve of energy. I haven't worn her out yet. We took her to a friends house, and she played for 9 1/2 hours strait.

Have fun! Good luck.

 

[Draymia]

I will repeat the good advice. Have Fun!!! :D Fun Matches are for practice for both the owner and the puppy.

Don't worry about the puppy being too excited. Fun Matches are a low stress fancy practice session.

:D

 

[Cayenne's Mom]

Well Yesterday went really great! We got second out of 20 puppies and we lost to Zane's litter mate Adrian...Can't ask for better than that. Zane did really well and he didn't do anything real crazy. He did want to kidney bean when the judge came up to him to look him over. Luckily she was real laid back and enjoyed every minute of it. It was a really muggy afternoon but we had a great time and I didn't fall on my face :D Thanks everyone for your advice. I am looking for another match down the road. :D

 

[GoCougs]

LOL Kidney bean for the judge.... been there, done that!

Congrats on an excellent first show!

 

[oz4lines]

Not too bad!

Congratulations!
Welcome to the world of dog shows, where anything can happen.

Jill

 

[PawPrintBoxers]

Good luck! Just remember they call it a Fun Match for a reason
Go, have fun, let your pup have fun and all will be well


__________________
Christina Ghimenti
PawPrint Boxers

Sunny Northern California
Boxer Champions and Loving Pets

 

[conn]

:D Good for you guys!!! That is just wonderful!!! Number 2 out of 20, how impressive

I should think that kidney beaning for the judge would get you extra points LOL!!!

 

[Alisha Mobley]

Originally posted by Cayenne's Mom
Well Yesterday went really great! We got second out of 20 puppies

20 puppies!!:eek: And I thought Ruby's class was large!(Well, according to all the other classes, it was!)

Great job!! appicon