I realize that many of you kids may be starting to get "butterflies in your stomach" from becoming a bit nervous as you may be fast approaching your first ever county fair dog show. So I am going all-out as your helpful "leader of the pack/ care-taking mama dog" to get you as prepared as I know how.
There is a whole lot of "head knowledge" to know, but none of it is near as important as all the things I KNOW that you already KNOW!!! YOU and YOUR DOG are a TEAM. TOGETHER you two will do great! There will be things that are new to both of you, but you do NOT have to get worried. I feel very confident in saying that there is absolutely nothing that is going to happen on show day that is unsafe and that you two are not going to be able to handle because of everything we have already worked on at all of our practices. Remember, even if something unexpected does happen, it's just "different", NOT "bad". Just take a deep breath and use that brain of yours with a positive attitude. I guarantee you THAT will go further than getting all worried about what you think isn't going perfect.
LOOK for the good... and that's what you'll get. Remind your pooch partner to LOOK at you, and then, you smile and praise him or her when they do. Isn't that already making things go a LOT better?
Here are some helpful little sayings for you:
"if your knuckles are white, you're holding the leash too tight"
"there is no rule against smiling"
"positive praise gets positive results, positively"
"you get the behavior that you train for"
"which end of the leash is in control?"
"pay attention to your dog, and the judge; the rest of the world will take care of itself"
"No saying 'no'; or else it will cost you 10 cents"
To help you feel a bit more comfortable if you are showing in showmanship... here are some showmanship videos you can watch.
GREAT RESOURCE FOR WATCHING SHOWMANSHIP OF DIFFERENT BREEDS.
http://westminsterkennelclub.org/2007/video/breed/index.html
I suggest you go to this website and click on the breed which is closest to your dog's type to see how it is shown in the Westminster Kennel Club Breed Judging Shows. This will give you some real life idea of how dogs are shown. It is also a good idea to notice what you think the different dog handlers are doing that are good at showing off the dog and what things might be distracting from the dog showing at its best.
You know what makes your dog partner show his/her best. Number one, is having fun. Just know what kind of things to expect. Prepare mentally before you even enter the show ring. Watch the other exhibitors and see how things are done. You know what to do. So then all you have to do is just do your best and have a 'Good Show'!
2011/07/28
Butterflies Be Gone! Showing At Your Best
2010/09/03
Waggers Dog Club News for Sept 2010
DATE MOVED Waggers Dog Club News for Sept 2010 Dog Advisory Committee Meeting DATE: Saturday September 11, 2010 Time: 1:00 - 3:00 pm Type: Meeting Location: Indiana State Fairgrounds Showmanship & Agility Clinic - Jackson County DATE: Sunday Sept. 12, 2010 Time: 11:30 - 5:30 pm Location: Jackson County Fairgrounds, Brownstown, Indiana
I have attached the pdf flyer for this (click here). It is going to be especially good for teaching teeter totter and some intermediate skills, so I am really looking forward to going. IF you want to go, please note that it asks you to email or call to preregister.
And HERE is something that I think would really be fun to go watch as a group outing! If you've never seen it before, it's fun to check it out!
DOG Flyball Coming to The Indiana State Fairgrounds
NAFA® Flyball Tournament Seeks Record as World‘s Largest
A new world record, “Largest Flyball Tournament,” will be attempted at the Indiana State Fairgrounds on Saturday, October 9, 2010, during the 2nd annual NAFA® CanAm Classic Flyball Tournament.
NAFA®, the North American Flyball Association, is hosting the international tournament and hoping to set a Guinness World Record™. (www.nafacanam.com)
“’Largest Flyball Tournament’ is a new category established by Guinness World Records™ specifically for this event,” says Lee Heighton, NAFA® Executive Director. “In order to set the record, we will need at least 500 dogs to participate.”
“Last year’s inaugural CanAm Classic was attended by 123 teams that competed in a four ring tournament layout” added Leerie Jenkins, Chairman of the NAFA® Board of Directors. “This year we will have six rings spread over four acres indoors. Teams will be traveling to Indianapolis from across the United Sates and Canada. We are looking forward to having the ultimate authority on record-breaking achievement recognize both our sport, and the enthusiasm of the dogs and people who play it.”
The NAFA® CanAm Classic takes place at the Indiana State Fairgrounds October 8 through October 10, 2010. For more information, visit http://www.nafacanam.com.
Also check out http://www.flyball.org/
Wolf Park
information at http://www.wolfpark.org/admission.shtml
(PLEASE check your calendars and submit times to Ellen as to when you'd like to go as a group)
Howl Nights Location: Bleachers, main pack enclosure Time: 7:30 pm
May 1 - November 30: Fridays and Saturdays
December 1 - April 30: Saturdays Only Duration: 1.5 hours
Visit Wolf Park in the evening, and see our animals in a whole new light. As the night falls and the air cools, the wolves get frisky. Guests will have an opportunity to hear a more in-depth discussion of the wolf's "trademark" behavior -- the howl. They will have front row seats to a sing-along as Wolf Park's expert wolf handlers enter the enclosure and interact with the main pack of wolves. Guests will be encouraged several times during the performance to howl, and will be able to see and hear our wolves return the call.
No flash photography, please, as it can startle or upset the wolves. There will be lights on in the enclosure. Generally the wolves come right up to the fence and can be seen clearly. In cold or inclement weather, a building with floor-to-ceiling windows is available, with sound from the enclosure piped in through a speaker.
2010/04/21
BASIC WAGGERS DOG CLUB INFO
2009/04/30
Waggers Club 2009 Underway
We have begun our 2009 year in 4H Dog Club. Happily we have almost everyone returning from last year. A couple of kids have new dogs this year. On top of that we have several new students. It's great to meet new kids and their dogs and the parents who bring them.
We are again meeting from 6:30 - 8:30 on Thursday nights at the Marion County Fairgrounds in the 4H building or just outside of it on nicer days. We will have one day (MAY 14th) when we must meet elsewhere; otherwise we will routinely meet here until time to vacate for County Fair Preparation.
If you are joining us for Warren Waggers 4H Dog Club. There are a few things you should know.
1.) ENROLLMENT: This 4H Club is for children grades 3-12 who register for the dog project with 4H through the County Extension Office. However, you may enroll at your first club meeting up until the May 15th deadline. Also, children from neighboring county may join us as long as they enroll with Marion County 4H and do NOT show projects at another county fair.
2) CLASSES: All dog project kids must take part in the obedience aspect of the club. We also teach showmanship and dog agility which are also competitive at the county fair and if you chose, the Indiana State Fair. Also, we encourage each student to also sign up for the dog poster project. We are easily learning enough about dogs through the year as to make this an easy project for them to complete and compete.
3) ANIMAL CARE: Animals coming to club MUST BE CURRENT ON ALL OF THERE VACCINATIONS. There is a 4H Veterinarian form available at this link or may be obtained at club. NO ANIMAL MAY attend a club meeting without proof of current vaccinations. The completed designated form is required by the 4H organization and needs to be signed by your veterinarian. Any dog showing signs of illness, in "season", showing signs of fleas or other physical disability should not come to club, however the child may attend without the animal during its recuperation so as to stay up to date on training sessions.
4) BEHAVIOR: The main objective of our club is to train obedience. Not that we leaders are training the animals. Rather, that we leaders teach the kids how to train their own animals. The 4Hers are to be the principle caretakers of the animals. They learn responsibility, animal care and training skills, and record keeping. They grow in confidence as "masters" of their animals. The animals develop skills of obedience and being a good canine citizen. It is a wonderful process to witness and be a part of.
5) REQUIRED FORMS:
a) 4H enrollment form and enrollment fee
b) Vet Form -- http://www.four-h.purdue.edu/downloads/Dog/4H671W.pdf.
c) Marion County 4H Fair Dog Show pre-enrollment - Due June 15th
d) Indiana State 4H Dog Show Enrollment form (optional)
e) Dog Record Sheet
6) RESULTS: We have fun learning by doing!!
We have a new "pack" each year. Each 4Her and animal are a team. All 4Hers and their animals form a family unit "pack". The parents usually stay and socialize with each other and participate with some of the club activities, and all of us together are THE WARREN WAGGERS 4H DOG CLUB!
If you need more information, just leave a comment with your email and I will contact you back.
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