Stand Still

Trooper has decided that he would rather not stand for exam. J-lyn and I have been running our hands all over him since birth. He doesn't even notice when I touch his testicles. However, when the judge tries to touch him during the exam he sits down. What's a girl to do?

More training classes would help. Unfortunately, I've been swamped lately and haven't been able to make it out to a class. And even though Trooper comes to work with me, there's nobody I feel comfortable enough to ask "Will you grope my dog?"

So you can imagine my excitement when I got an email from the Fenzi Dog Academy about an upcoming workshop entitled Confident Stand for Exams. The course description read:

In this workshop we will work on your dog understanding that exams are not about being petted! This will take the pressure off your shy dog and your over greater will have less conflict about wanting to say "Hi."

My reaction was something like this:

I've watched the workshop video/lecture several times. I'm hopeful and frustrated at the same time. I think I can train Trooper to willingly and comfortably stand for exam. However, it's probably going to take patience and baby steps -- neither are a strong point for me. This is our plan of action:

1. Teach Trooper to put his chin in my hand when asked. This is a consent behavior.
2. Add the cue "chin." Increase duration before moving on.
3. While in position, move my empty hand around him, rewarding him for ignoring the movement. Increase duration before moving on.
4. While in position, touch him much like a judge's exam. Reward him for ignoring the touch. Increase duration before moving on.
5. While in position, have person he knows well walk by. Reward him for ignoring the movement. Increase duration before moving on.
6. While in position, have person he knows well touch him much like a judge's exam. Reward him for ignoring the touch. Increase duration before moving on.
7. While in position, have helper/stranger walk by. Reward him for ignoring the movement. Increase duration before moving on.
8. While in position, have helper/stranger touch him much like a judge's exam. Reward him for ignoring the touch.

We're still working on step one, but he's picked it up really fast. The ultimate goal is to teach Trooper that the exam just is, and he's not required to interact with the judge (or veterinarian). If he could learn to trust that I'll protect him, then even better.

Consent is a new, emerging thought in dog training. I'll share more later, but the gist is that:

• Some dogs (like people) are extremely sensitive to emotional pressure and can shut down completely when stressed. Sound like Trooper to you?
• Dogs (like people) are more likely to work harder and more cheerfully if they feel their wishes are respected.

This is going to be a challenge for us. Trooper is the most sensitive dog I've ever owned. He picks up on my frustration and takes it personally -- even if it has nothing to do with him. I am going to have to be cognizant of my mood and body language. Wish us luck! -- K

The After-Match

It was a long weekend for Trooper

The Match is in the books. Whoopie. If you remember, my German Shepherd Dog Club agreed to hold an AKC Sanctioned GSD Specialty B Match in conjunction with a breeder's annual BBQ.

We had ten regular entries and three in junior showmanship. We also offered a 4-6 month puppy (non-regular) class. Only one person entered that competition, making the class a waste of time and money. The trophy, rosette and ribbons cost more than the single entry fee we took in. I wouldn’t recommend offering it next time. (Live and learn, right?)

Participants and spectators seemed to have had a good time. I have mixed feelings about how things went. I'd like to share what worked, what didn't and what could be done differently -- just in case any of you ever think of doing this!

Know your audience -- I assumed that the match participants would be people new to the sport and/or with new dogs. I overestimated the group! Most of the match participants were absolutely clueless about dog shows. They didn't know what class to enter their dogs in -- they didn't even know what classes were! We were sharing leads and collars, reminding people to keep dogs on the left and explaining what a stack was from the ringside. A couple people showed up in flip-flops and ended up running around the ring barefoot.

Our entry form asked for email addresses. After the show I sent an email to all entrants. It included links to a few AKC resources to help make their next dog show experience even more enjoyable. I referred them to Info Dog to find shows, saying that nearby Ocala has several every month. I also emailed some information about the German Shepherd Dog Club of North Florida with links to our website and FB page.

Ribbons, trophies and baskets, oh my!

Know your location -- I wasn't able to visit the property beforehand. As such, decisions made based on photos were changed during set up. The area used for the ring was in a corner of a field surrounded by large trees to keep it shaded during the morning. We used the existing fence for most of the ring. The BBQ festivities were being held at the other end of the property so we decided not to put up our large, labor-intensive canopies. In hindsight, it would have been better to just grab a few necessary items and transport those instead of towing the entire club trailer. The trailer hadn't been reorganized since the Specialty shows. Overloaded and off balance, it would sway every time we went over 55 MPH. This added an extra hour to our drive and put too much stress on my husband our truck.

Know your budget -- We only took entries the day of the match. This made paperwork and money handling easier. It probably brought in a few last minute entries too. However, it made things hard to shop for. We ordered 1st through 4th place ribbons for every class offered. It's customary to give toys to each match entrant. Having no idea how many people would be coming, I bought 30 just in case. Even being frugal, they add up. Sure, we can use the leftover toys another time, but the cost is still added to this event's bottom line. I'm hoping that we broke even, as our club doesn't have much in the way of disposable income.

Know your expectations -- I expected the match to be a practice show with new but semi-knowledgeable people handling their own dogs ... like every other match I've ever attended. Apparently, the breeder and her people did not. 90% of them used the same two teenagers to run their dogs around the ring and they had no clue as to what was taking place. 

Our club was told that hosting the match would be a great way for the northeastern Florida GSD community to meet the central Florida GSD community, "a source of potential new members." Unfortunately, hosting the match as a way to promote the German Shepherd Dog Club of North Florida was a bust. Only one person at the BBQ expressed any interest in the club. It's been a week since my email went out and nobody has responded.

Best in Match was Trooper's brother! See the resemblance?

Know your limitations -- This endeavor was too much for me and Hubby to shoulder alone. Several of the people we thought were going to help pulled out at the last minute for various reasons. Others showed up late or left early because they had double-booked for the weekend. And honestly, the distance from Jacksonville to Dunnellon was longer than most club members wanted to drive.

Finally, I’m a little miffed that nobody from the German Shepherd Dog Club of Orlando or the Tampa Bay German Shepherd Dog Club showed up – especially since we had to jump through hoops to get permission from both of them to even hold the match. Will I do this again? No. If asked, I would suggest one of the following options:

• Find another host. The breeder should reach out to the German Shepherd Dog Club of Orlando or the Tampa Bay German Shepherd Dog Club. They are closer and would have an easier time getting club members to help out. They are also more likely to local members. Being that the AKC claims Dunnellon is in those territories, they wouldn't have to petition for the permissions that we did to hold the match.


• DIY Fun Match. Since the breeder isn't an AKC sanctioned club, she isn't bound by the rules that we are. My GSD club couldn't hold a fun match because we were opening up to non-members. Because we held a B Match, we had to use AKC's rules of judging. This upset a bunch of people with neutered dogs who wanted to enter. (These people obviously don't understand the intent of conformation dog shows in the first place -- but that's a post for another day.) The breeder, however, can just set up a ring and do whatever she wants. Judging by the skill and interest levels of breeder's clientele, I doubt the would mind -- or notice -- that it wasn't a "real" match.

So there you go -- the good, the bad and the ugly of my first time as Match Chair. If you ever take on that role, please learn from my mistakes. Be better than me. And send me an invitation to the match! See you around the ring, -- K

2019 Specialty Shows

Our 2019 Specialty Shows are over. Trooper was among two dozen beautiful German shepherds vying to be judged Best of Breed. SPOILER: Trooper wasn't that dog. But he did look good. See:

He's looking for Mom

Look at that beautiful flying trot!

Trooper looks good from any angle

Still not fond of the exam, but at least Trooper cooperated

Trooper was handled by co-owner PG, and the photos were taken by co-owner J-Lyn with J-Lyn Photography. My job was to pray that he wouldn't do anything stupid.

Trooper started limping during his last pass around the ring in the morning show. I don't know why. Did he step wrong? Could he have pano? (He's in that age range.) Whatever the cause, I pulled him from the afternoon show. I didn't want to exacerbate anything. Plus, Trooper was entered in two more shows that weekend. I gave him rest and Rimadyl. J-Lyn and I re-evaluated his gait each morning. Fortunately, he seemed okay. He took Reserve Winners Dog both days. Basically, that's first runner-up. Not great -- and worth zero points -- but we'll take it!

Checking out the ring before the show starts

Trooper's wins. Both days looked the same.

Trooper is going to take a break from the show ring. He needs time to mature. He has his big-boy body, but still has a little-boy brain. He needs to gain some confidence and learn self-control. We'll reassess in the fall. In the meantime, I've signed him up for a Manners class, with hopes of working toward Canine Good Citizen and Trick Dog titles. Hopefully we'll have plenty to share. Later, -- K

Pity Party

It's been a lousy weekend for me and the dogs. I've spent the last few hours crying, swearing and questioning my decisions. Welcome to my pity party. To be honest, I debated on whether I was even going to post this.

Trooper: As you know, Trooper went to North Carolina this weekend for a bunch of shows, including the Southeast Futurity/Maturity show. We thought he was ready. We were wrong. Trooper has decided that NOW is the time to be a headstrong adolescent. Sigh. He's not having a good time and he's making sure everybody knows it. I watched him on FB live streaming and my heart dropped. Trooper's not cooperating with his handler and refusing to let the judges touch him. He was excused from one show, and dead last in the next. J-Lyn and I agreed to pull him from the last two shows. Trooper doesn't need to develop any bad habits in the ring (like thinking he can get his way by acting the fool). Nor does he need to show his ass in front of everybody at the Futurity. We feel we made the best decision under the circumstances. Unfortunately, I don't get my entry fees back.

I've already paid for four shows the first weekend of April. I'm not getting that money back either. We'll try to show him again -- maybe he'll do better with me present. If not, we'll pull him then too. Either way, I plan to stop showing him for the next 6-9 months and allow him to mature. J-Lyn suggested that we focus our energy on fun, performance sports in the interim to help build confidence and self-control -- things like Fast CAT, dock diving and barn hunt. Speaking of barn hunt . . .

Jedi: Hubby, Jedi and I spent the weekend in Deland. Our favorite trial site was offering an advanced BH workshop on Friday night. Jedi has just moved up from Open to Senior -- a big jump in both difficulty and entry prices. I was hoping the training would give us an advantage for Saturday's trials, so I forked out the workshop fee plus a hotel stay. I was wrong. Jedi did the U-shaped tunnel. I was afraid he wouldn't. But he only found 2 of the 4 rats on each run. Jedi still doesn't seem to realize there are additional hides. (And this was not addressed in the workshop. Grrr.) Hubby recorded our runs. On playback I could see that Jedi was frustrated and spent a third of our allotted search time checking out the spectators. 

My weekend

Me: I added things up. I probably shouldn't have. This weekend was a $300 disaster. So now I'm wondering: WTF am I doing? How can I fix these issues? Should I even try? I don't want to frustrate my dogs. I also don't want to waste money on frustrated dogs. Hell, I'M frustrated. I probably shouldn't make any major decisions right now. I think I'm going to lick my wounds, eat some cheesecake and take a long nap. I'll make decisions later. Until then, -- K

One Last Match

Trooper turned a year old last month. He's not a puppy any more. Last weekend the Jacksonville Dog Fanciers' Association held an All-Breed Match. This was his last chance to run around the ring before J-Lyn takes him to North Carolina for the Southeast Futurity/Maturity shows.

A teenager from my GSD Club was there with Trooper's cousin, Jethro. Teen entered Jethro in the Junior Handler competition and they came in 3rd! Jethro is neutered, so he can't compete in regular classes. I offered to let Teen take Trooper into the ring. I told her it would be good experience for them both and that I expected nothing -- so no stress. (Plus, I really didn't feel like running.)

Well, Teen and Trooper did more than expected. They won the Herding Group. How cool is that? We added another pink rosette to his collection.

Yesterday I handed Trooper off to J-Lyn. They're doing some last minute training and conditioning before heading north next week. In addition to the Futurity, Trooper is also competing in two Specialty shows and an All-Breed show. I'm excited. And anxious. I'm fighting all those coulda/woulda/shoulda things in my head. Too late now, right? I hope he does well. And if he doesn't, I'm sure I'll find a way to make it my fault. I'll keep you posted. -- K

Sneak Preview

Trooper's not a puppy anymore!

I know I've been absent lately. Honestly, there's not a whole lot worth sharing. However, I've spent the last two weeks filling out entry forms, booking hotel rooms and coordinating calendars with Hubby. The next two months have A LOT going on. Here's a sneak preview:

• Trooper had another sleepover with J-Lyn. While there, he started doing road work. This is something we're going to continue. I've got a Kelley-sized tricycle and everything!
• Trooper turned a year on Monday -- just in time for the Fast CAT trials in Tallahassee next weekend,. Both boys are going to run AND Hubby and I are competing in a shooting competition the same weekend. We'll see how that works out!
• I'm in the middle of two interesting dog books. I'll share them with you soon.
• My dog club's annual German Shepherd Dog Walk in Historic St. Augustine is just around the corner. This year I'll be walking two dogs. I'm a little nervous.
• Trooper is headed to North Carolina with J-Lyn next month. Over three days he'll compete in an All-Breed show, two GSD Specialty shows and the Southeast Futurity/Maturity.
• That same weekend Jedi will be in DeLand for an advanced Barn Hunt workshop and two trials. The jump from Open to Senior is huge. We need all the help we can get.
• April is also a big month for us. Trooper will compete in my dog club's two GSD Specialty shows followed by two days of All-Breed shows.
• That same weekend, Fast CAT will be available at the Fairgrounds. I'm debating signing up Trooper and/or Jedi. I'll wait until after Tallahassee to make that decision.
• April 27 is my dog club's Specialty Match, held in conjunction with a breeder-friend's annual BBQ Bonanza. The match planning isn't coming along as easily as I had hoped and I'm stressing. Surprised?

So you see, fun and newsworthy posts are coming soon! Please be patient. Until then, -- K

Trooper's Sleepover

Trooper and I cutting the corner in Savannah

Part of the Futurity/Maturity shows discussion with Trooper's breeder included me telling her of all the problems/shortcomings I saw:

• Trooper is very sensitive and stresses easily.
• Trooper doesn't like to be touched by strangers, especially men.
• I cannot get Trooper to hold his stack.
• I have not attended handling classes as regularly as I wanted.
• I cannot run fast enough to keep up with him.
• My work schedule won't allow me to go to North Carolina for the shows.

I told J-Lyn that before we made any decisions I wanted her to spend some time with Trooper and make an honest assessment. I took him to her kennels to spend four days with her. He was happy to be back to his birth home, playing with his sister and cousins. He genuinely loves J-Lyn and her family. The jerk barely even noticed I was gone. (Good for him, but it hurt my feelings.) I missed him so much. It reminded me of when my boys went to summer camp.

I got daily updates:

• Enjoyed playing in the yard with all the other dogs. No problem with other dogs.
• Ate his meals enthusiastically. No signs of stress being away from home.
• Did well meeting strangers. He was intentionally introduced to men, children and people of various ethnicities.
• He's not fond of pushy women or smokers. (LOL, neither am I.)
• Walked nicely through Home Depot. His threshold seems to be about 20 minutes.
• Doesn't appear to be overly sensitive to sound.
• Seems to prefer free stacking (self-stacking) versus hand stacking.
• Beautiful movement, needs room to open up. Would probably do better at larger, outdoor shows.

I also got homework:

• Practice free stacking.
• Get him out and around people as often as possible.
• Hand him off to trusted strangers.
• He'll be a year old next month. Should start road work (running alongside a bicycle) soon.

So what's next? I filled out the entry form for the Futurity/Maturity shows. Breeder and I are planning several more sleepovers so she can get Trooper ready for the show. Her granddaughter will be working with him as well. She's young, tall, confident -- and a much better handler than I am! She will be taking Trooper in the ring in North Carolina.

OMG, we're doing this!! I excited. And nervous. I'm also looking for a used Kelley-sized tricycle for road work. I'm not the most coordinated person. And I don't trust Trooper not to pull me. I think three wheels may be a safer option. Anyway, I'll let you know. -- K

Futurity/Maturity Shows

Young pup at the 2014 SE Futurity/Maturity shows

I've been talking to Trooper's breeder about entering him in the GSDCA Southeast Futurity/Maturity shows in March. This is a different type of dog show -- one that I'm still a bit confused about. I've been Googling my brains out and this the best I can figure.

The Futurity/Maturity program was designed to encourage and reward the breeding of dogs that most closely conform to the AKC breed standard. Each National Club (aka "parent club") runs it's own Futurity/Maturity program, so there are slight differences for each breed. The German Shepherd Dog Club of America (GSDCA) Futurity/Maturity program is (sorta) explained here.

If a breeder feels she's got a good pairing, she'll nominate (essentially place a bet on) the litter. This is usually done before or just after the litter is born. Puppies from a nominated litter are shown in the regional shows held each spring and summer (the GSDCA has nine separate regions). The competition is similar to a regular conformation show. However, winners earn a portion of the nomination fee. Then all regional winners compete against each other at the National shows in October. Apparently it's a big deal.

Plaques & rosettes from the 2016

SE Futurity/Maturity shows

The regional Futurity/Maturity shows are hosted by GSD specialty clubs (like mine). Since Futurity/Maturity shows are held in conjunction with a club's Specialty shows, they draw a bigger entry. The hosting clubs also get a small portion of the entry fees. However, hosting the Futurity/Maturity shows is a lot of additional work.

The regional club usually gets the nod from GSDCA 18-24 months out, giving them time to find a judge -- preferably one that will attract participants. The GSDCA contracts a show superintendent to manage the entries and catalogs. They also provide trophies. A local club member is designated regional chair to handle all the fine details -- and there are a lot of fine details!

So how does it work? Puppies from a nominated litter are eligible to be shown if one of the registered owners is a GSDCA member. (FYI: Trooper's Breeder/Co-Owner is.) The class a puppy is entered in depends on it's date of birth. The Futurity classes are:

• Junior Class
• Teenage Class
• Amateur Junior/Teen Class
• Intermediate Class
• Senior Class
• Amateur Intermediate/Senior Class

The Maturity involves the same dogs that competed in the Futurity, after they've had a year to grow up. Just like the Futurity, one of the dog's owners must be a GSDCA member, and a dog's class is dependent on the date of birth. The Maturity classes are:

• Junior Class
• Amateur Junior
• Class Senior Class
• Amateur Senior Class

Here's a kicker: If the litter was nominated, but the dog was not entered in a Futurity, an additional $150 fee is required above and beyond the fee to show in the Maturity classes. So, regardless of whether we go to the shows in March, I need to send in the $30 entry fee -- just in case. Ugh. I'll keep you posted. -- K

Trooper Takes it All

I finally got Trooper's win photo from the Savannah Kennel Club Match last November.

It appears that neither Trooper nor the judges were as excited about the win as I was. LOL. -- K

Tips for a First Timer

I'm a member of multiple dog show Facebook groups. Most of them regurgitate the same stuff over and over and/or complain about judges. Seriously, I don't know why I follow these groups! Invariably, something good pops up just as I'm contemplating leaving the group. Last week there was this →

I read through all the responses -- there were about 150 when I finished. Many of the tips were the same, but there were a few that made me say wow. I tried to condense and categorize all the information (because that's how my brain processes information). And then I thought "Hey, other people might like this stuff too." So here you go: things to do before going in the ring, while in the ring and after exiting the ring. There's also a group of miscellaneous tips …. just because I didn't know how to categorize them.

Before

• Set one realistic goal (i.e. get dog around the ring without tripping over him)
• Double-check your tack box
• Pack a lunch
• Bring extra water for you and your dog
• Bring a crate and crate cover for your dog
• Bring your own chairs
• Bring cash for parking
• Get there early
• Take time decompress (both you and dog) before going in the ring
• Double-check ring time
• Walk your dog beforehand to work out any jitters
• Find your ring
• Potty before going in the ring (both you and your dog)
• Watch the judge’s ring procedures
• Don’t block the ring entrance while waiting to go in

During

• Breathe
• Remember to smile
• Have fun
• Make sure your dog has fun
• Look at the judge (not your feet)
• Don’t be afraid to tell the judge that you are new
• Peppermint Altoids will mask the adrenaline in your breath and hide your nerves from your dog
• Use gentle hands on the lead and on your dog to counter nerves (he can feel the tension)
• Wear a ring on a different finger. It will bug you, but will keep your mind off being nervous
• Keep a good distance between dogs
• Don't run up on other dogs
• ALWAYS congratulate the winner

After

• Don’t be too hard on yourself; whatever mistakes you make have been made by a thousand people before you
• If your dog is awarded points, check the results in the judge’s book to make sure they are correct
• Stay to watch the winners

Miscellaneous

• Remember, no matter what the judge says, you’re going home with the best dog
• Watch in crowds to keep dogs’ faces away from each other so aggravated dogs don’t nip (it happens)
• Poop bags -- bring them, use them, have extras for those who don't
• Befriend a fancier of another breed
• Watch professional handlers

Other helpful posts from the past:

• Several years ago I asked for Advice from Veteran Fanciers and received some great tips!
• E – Equipment from my A to Z of Dog Shows series details the various stuff I haul to shows and why.
• Make Your Own Dog Show Survival Kit was written by Jenna at Corgi Pants and it is absolutely brilliant!

Do you feel empowered now? No?! How about a little less terrified? Me too. I keep wondering when I can finally say "I've got this." I'll let you know. Until then, I'll just listen to Joyce Meyer:

See you around the ring! -- K

The National Dog Show

Thanksgiving has morphed for me. As a child it was all about going to Grandma's for eating. And eating, And eating. After dinner the adults would play pinochle and the kids would watch The Wizard of Oz on TV. (This is probably where my unreasonable fear of tornadoes originated.)

When Hubby was in the Navy, Thanksgiving involved single sailors and/or other military families. It was a big deal. Then my kids got older and worked retail and Thanksgiving became a small celebration before Black Friday madness. Now we're empty nesters and prefer to keep things low-key.

A fairly new addition to Thanksgiving is the National Dog Show. I was never one for the Macy's Parade, football or combat shopping, But dogs . . . oh, yeah! The Washington Times has a nice article about How the National Dog Show Became Your Favorite Thanksgiving Tradition. It's worth reading.

I watch the show differently since I've entered the world of showing. It's more than just gorgeous dogs for me now. I pick up weird things. For example, this year I noticed that:

• The announcers stated that the 2000+ dogs in the show came from 15 different countries. That's a lot of potential cooties and the reason why I fully vaccinate my dogs. Screw the anti-vaxers. (Yes, they exist in the dog world too.)
• I found myself watching the handlers as much as the dogs: What are the women wearing? How are they holding leashes? What are they doing with the bait?
• A majority of the dogs in the ring were three, four and five years old. This is actually comforting for me. I look at my nine-month-old spazzy pup and remember he needs time to mature. There's no need to rush!
• Many of the dogs had other titles as well -- farm dog, field trials, dock diving, lure coursing, rally. This made me smile. I'm not the only one who feels that a well-rounded dog has titles on both ends.
• I found myself recognizing most breeds before the announcer named them. Who's a good ACO? Seriously, I should be able to write off dog shows as a "work-related expense" on my taxes!
• I recognized the Border Collie from the Westminster Dog Show. He's the guy I was rooting for back in February. Stupid Bichon Frise.

An interesting fact about the National Dog Show: Unlike Westminster, it's pre-recorded. The show was actually held last weekend yet nobody leaked the results during the 4-day interim. (FYI: I was scouring my regular FB groups looking for the info all week!) To fit the 2-hour slot, the dog show is heavily edited. Not all dogs are shown, but you can see the individual group winners online. The one I care most about is the German shepherd (of course) who came in 4th for the herding group. In case you're interested, that dog was CH PEAKES BROOK NONNA'S LITTLE LADY V CATIVA (call name: Capella).

I'm still planning on attending the German Shepherd Dog Club of America's National Shows in Colorado next October. (Thanks Mom for all your love and support.) However, the National Dog Show is on my GSD bucket list. And to be honest, that show would be easier for me to swing than Westminster or GSDCA Nationals. The National Dog Show is in Philadelphia every year. I have family in Baltimore, and could probably make it a Thanksgiving with the In-Laws twofer. Hmmm . . . it's a thought!

But for now, I need to get off the computer. My dogs are feeling neglected -- and they're not shy about telling me so. What kind of dog mom spends her day looking at dogs on TV and blogging about dogs online, while ignoring the real dogs in front of her? A bad one! Catch you later, -- K

Savannah

Trooper is still leery of people. Sigh. It's hard to be a successful show dog if said dog won't let the judge touch him! We're trying to work through this using trips to dog-friendly places combined with lots of chicken from strangers. We're also taking advantage of every match we can find. Matches are like practice dog shows -- no points, lower entry fees and plenty of positive reinforcement for both dog and handler. Unfortunately, matches are hard to come by. That's why Hubby and I got up before dawn on Saturday and drove 2.5 hours to Savannah, Georgia.

We arrived at the show grounds a couple hours before ring time. I walked Trooper all around the area so he could take in all the sounds and smells. I brought a 20-foot long line and ran him behind an empty building, hoping to release some nervous energy. We practiced stacking and gaiting. And we sat quietly enjoying some snuggle-time. I did everything I could think of to get Trooper in "the zone." I don't think it worked.

Like the last match, Trooper got out of the car convinced that everybody there was going to kill him. Yes, we're back to that. I walked him around, giving strangers treats to feed my 80 pound chicken. (Luckily for me, dog people don't think that's such an odd request.)

Even with all the preparations, Trooper shied away from the judge. Grr. The judge was patient and offered a few ideas to help with the obvious problem. (This wouldn't happen at a show.) The judge thought Trooper had potential and gave him the ribbon, saying that his movement was nice and he was a beautiful shepherd.

It was a crazy day. We ended up winning group and were in the running for Best in Match. The Best in Match judge also thought Trooper was a nicely put together dog and offered tips to help him overcome this shyness -- then she awarded him Reserve. HOLY CRAP. Trooper came home with some really nice goodies.

So . . . I have a few take aways from this weekend:

• Continue to work on Trooper's people skills.
• Run more -- both with and without the dog. (Trooper's wants to cut the corners. I just want to throw up!)
• Practice stacking Trooper on a platform. This is something I'd never thought of. Taking our winner's photo was a bigger chore than it needed to be. I want to be ready for the next one!

All in all, the Savannah Kennel Club put on a very nice match. The set-up was well organized, the sponsors were surprising and the prizes were over the top. People have been raving about the match on Facebook all weekend. The club is considering doing another one in the Spring. I'd go again -- hopefully with a more confident dog next time. But for now I need to nap. TTFN, -- K

GSD Match

Look at the reach on that dog!

We got up before dawn on Saturday and drove two and a half hours to Reddick, Florida. As I mentioned last week, the White German Shepherd Dog Club of America held their Nationals last weekend. (BTW, it's not nearly as grandiose as the GSDCA Nationals I want to attend next year.) Amongst all the fanfare, they held a match for "colored" German shepherds.

It was cold! This was quite the surprise since it had been in the high 80s the week before. Trooper got out of the car sure that everybody there was going to kill him. Sigh. Fortunately, the place was filled with dog people. They were very understanding about the eight-month fear period. Nobody spooked Trooper, but everybody vowed to touch him before the festivities were over. In about four hours Trooper had 20+ people pet him (and give him chicken). By the end of the day, he was cautiously approaching people on his own. Yay!

Trooper took first place in his group. He shied away from the physical exam. Fortunately, the judge was a professional handler who has been with German shepherd dogs for decades. He was kind but firm. Trooper was not allowed to be a shithead -- much to his dismay.

Run, Trooper, Run

Trooper and another dog had a run off to get Winners Dog. And we ran a lot!

• First we ran separately.
• Then the judge had us run together, the other dog front.
• We ran together again, Trooper in front.
• We ran down and back several times so the judge could see the dogs coming and going.

I thought I was going to die! When all was said and done, the other dog got the ribbon. I'm sure that Trooper's shyness -- and my running out of steam -- were deciding factors. Dammit.

Trooper's movement is absolutely beautiful. Hubby tried to take pictures and watch at the same time. I'm posting a couple that best show Trooper. (Pay no attention to the dying woman at the other end of the leash.) The judge commented on how Trooper got better as the day progressed and suggested that we run him before a show to warm him up and get the nerves out. OMG, more freaking running! Someone needs to get back on the treadmill.

Who's a good boy?

I think the best part of the day was all the people I met. Several I have only known on Facebook and via email. It was great to put faces to names. Others I'd only heard about from mutual friends. And there were some people I had never known before -- but I expect them to be good friends in the future.

The day also resulted in a coup for my GSD club. One of the breeders there hosts a BBQ Gala every April. She invited my club members to come down and get to know the GSD fanciers in her area. She also thought it would be great if our club would host a German shepherd conformation match at the same time -- right there on her ranch! The show committee approved and I agreed to head it up. (You know, because my plate isn't full enough already!) We'll be uniting Northeast and Central Florida dog groups. How great is that?! I'm so excited and have already started planning.

So, that was half of our very busy weekend. I'll share Sunday's adventures later. See you around the ring! -- K

Dreaming & Scheming

Every year the German Shepherd Dog Club of America hosts a week of dog shows and events. The Nationals, as they're called, showcase everything German Shepherds can do: conformation, obedience, rally, tracking, herding, dock diving, lure coursing and more. Amongst the competitions are educational programs, awards, dinners, vendors, contests, socializing and networking. The GSDCA 2018 National shows just ended. I've been following it on Facebook all week. Not surprisingly,

I want to go.

Wednesday was a slow day at work. I was patrolling the beach, deep in my own thoughts and scrolling through Facebook. The pictures from the shows are amazing. I thought "Gee, I'd like to go to Nationals someday." Then a little voice in my head reminded me that I'm not getting any younger. Jerk.

That same voice told me to "piss or get off the pot" two years ago. (Sorry, the voices in my head have potty mouths.) Long story short: I listened to the voices and ended up at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show last February! It was a trip of a lifetime. GSD people tell me that Westminster pales in comparison to Nationals. It's all German Shepherds, all week long. So . . . I'm seriously looking into going to Nationals.

The location of Nationals moves around the country (though they've been in Missouri a lot lately). The 2019 GSDCA National shows will be in Loveland, Colorado. They'll be at the Larimer County Fairgrounds and Events Complex ("The Ranch") October 5 through 12. I've contacted RK, Blondie and Red to see if they're up for another adventure. Going with friends divides the cost and multiplies the fun.

Between you and me, I'm terrified. (I'm telling you this because the girls don't read my blog!) There's no tour package like we had for Westminster. We're going to have to negotiate flights, hotel costs and a rental car all on our own. There are so many variables! It's harder for me to budget when we're doing this piecemeal. BUT . . . it's not impossible. I'm writing this down and sharing with my blogging buddies because it's harder to back out this way. (Yes, you're being used. 😁)

Anyway, enough of the soul bearing, I need to wash the dogs. They've got a big weekend coming up and need to look pretty. Hopefully I'll have good news for you on Monday. Later, -- K

Me Again

Trooper enjoyed the hotel room

Wow, it's been over a month since my last post. Things have been busy with me and the dogs. Nothing overly exciting, but still busy. Let's see if I can catch you up.

Trooper's first shows were last month. Despite all my preparation, we had a last-minute change of plans. He and I had been practicing our ringcraft a couple times a week. I forgot that I'm 50 and don't move like I used to. During handling class I twisted my right knee. It was swollen hurt like crazy for weeks. I ended up having someone else take Trooper into the ring. Trooper was the only one in his class, so he walked away with a blue ribbon each day. That being said, he didn't seem to enjoy himself. I think he was stressed. He moved nicely, but shied away from the physical exam. Grrr. Both judges said really nice things about my dog. A professional handler friend of my breeder really liked Trooper too. The consensus is: he's promising, but needs to get over the "strangers touching him" thing.

That same weekend Jedi competed in three Fast CAT trials. He ran the 100-yard dash between 10.01 and 10.66 seconds each time. That's pretty damn fast! By my calculations he earned the 150 points required for his BCAT title. However, the AKC is really slow about posting results, so I don't have official confirmation yet.

Look at him go!

Two days after the shows we had Jedi neutered. His OFA test last year revealed a wonky elbow. Dammit. I decided against breeding him, so keeping the hormones and urges tied to them would be cruel. Also, he's six now. Middle age brings prostate complications. Neutering removes these problems. And on a purely selfish level, I didn't want two intact males in my small house. I figured neutering Jedi before Trooper reaches sexual maturity would help keep peace in my home. The vet did a wonderful job. The internal stitches were dissolvable, and instead of external stitches, surgical glue was used. Jedi never appeared uncomfortable or itchy, so we didn't have to use the cone. Everything healed up beautifully.

Goofy pup won't sit still

The following week Trooper became an AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy. Yay! A certificate and medal came in the mail over the weekend. I tried to get a good picture, but he wouldn't sit still. This is as good as you're going to get!

See, we've been busy!!

So what's next? This Sunday I'm taking both boys to Barn Hunt trials in DeLand. Jedi is still working towards his open title. He hasn't been on rats since April. I hope he remembers. I signed Trooper up for the Instinct test (since we're going to be there anyway). We'll see if Trooper's got it. We haven't been able to train anywhere, so I may just be eating the $20.

Saturday there's a German Shepherd only match just outside Ocala. The White German Shepherd Dog Club of America is holding their National Specialty shows this weekend. They are offering a match (kind of a practice confirmation show) just for "colored" German shepherds like us. Fortunately, they're only taking entries day of. I'm waffling back and forth over entering Trooper. He's still weird about strangers, and I haven't been working on it like I should. He's in his second fear period and I don't want to traumatize him. At the same time, the longer we wait the further behind we're going to be in his training. So . . . more decisions.

Mostly I'm frustrated. And I'm tired. All. The. Freakin. Time. This is making everything more difficult.

• We're not practicing at home as often as we should.
• I've blown off handling classes for naps.
• Jedi's not getting his walks in the park and his restlessness is annoying.
• Trooper is not getting regular socialization field trips.
• My weight loss has stalled, and I've put 8 pounds back on. This sucks. (I'm still down 26 pounds from December, so it's not all bad news.)

These guys need to get out more

And to add insult to injury, my ancient cell phone has become unreliable. Every time something updates, something else screws up. I may or may not be able to blog, post to Facebook, take/view pictures or text at any given time. The picture quality stinks, with more photos blurry than not. BUT -- and this is a big but -- my Galaxy S4 is paid for. (Yes, I realize that the S9s are out. I said ancient!) Honestly, I don't want to spend that kind of money, especially during dog sports season!

Want to hear something sad? I've started and deleted a half-dozen post in the last month. I felt they were just too negative -- even by my glass-is-half-empty standards. Truth is, I have a hard time sharing when I'm feeling surly and tired. Right now I'm having trouble thinking clearly. It's soooo annoying. I hope whatever funk I'm under goes away soon.

So I guess you're up to speed now. I'll try to be more timely with news, phone willing. And I'll try not to be too grumpy -- but no promises. Later, -- K

Alternative Dog Show Terms

Well-known owner/breeder/handler/judge Jimmy Moses with
a GSD at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show

I've shared dog show terminology and anatomy with you in the past. The other day I found a list of alternative terms online and I've been giggling ever since. I wish I knew the original author so I could give her proper credit. Anyway, here are some of my favorites:

Angulation -- The degree to which dog handlers will bend over backwards to impress a judge.

Balance -- 1) How to arrange the checkbook so your husband won't know how much money you spent on dog shows. 2) Ability to hold coffee, a donut, leash, treats, and entry form all at once.

Bitch -- 1) The proper name for a female dog. 2) A name often heard at dog shows, not always describing a female dog.

Crabbing -- What you do when the judge doesn't like your dog.

Dam -- 1) A female dog with puppies. 2) An expression frequently overheard at dog shows as losers leave the ring.

Distemper -- Shown by those competitors who just lost to somebody they can't stand.

Dog -- To chase a judge from show to show an effort to obtain more breed wins.

Elbow -- A method of getting to ringside quickly when late.

Expression -- The sweet look adopted by hungry dogs while staring ravenously at chunks of liver.

Fancier -- The degree to which some handlers dress more than others.

Heel -- 1) What you feel like when your dog beats the one you just sold to an eager novice. 2) An expression often screamed to attract the attention of suddenly deaf dogs.

Hock -- A way of financing your dog shows by the use of jewelry such as wedding rings.

Litter -- Trash left all over the building and parking lot after a dog show.

Mask -- What you wear when you have to show your gorgeous pick-of-the-litter that fell apart a week before the show.

Muzzle -- What to put on your kids at a dog show to prevent them from calling your competition what they overheard you call them last night.

Overshot -- Running so fast that you pass the first place ring marker and plow into the judge and stewards.

My mantra for the next 2 weeks

Points -- Minute, invisible awards for winning which you cannot convince your spouse are more important than cash prizes.

Puppies -- Small, dog-like food processing machines with the ability to stink up an entire house and collectively deafen a band of magpies. (These creatures have not yet been perfected, as they come with leaky systems, and can also be dangerous to weak hearts and bank accounts.)

The confirmation letter for Trooper's first shows came in the mail last week. As the 22nd approaches I'm getting more and more nervous. (Yes, I know it's counter-productive, but I can't seem to help myself.) This silly list helped me lighten up for a bit. I hope it made you giggle too. See you around the ring, -- K

Decisions, Decisions

A few days ago I told you about the tough choices we had to make for the September shows. After much deliberation, Hubby and I decided to put Trooper in the regular shows Saturday and Sunday. If I feel he's not ready or looks overwhelmed then I'll pull him. (BTW, people pull puppies at the last minute all the time.) I want Trooper's first shows to be positive. If nothing else, he'll just walk around the fairgrounds and experience the atmosphere. Dog shows are loud, crowded and busy; it can be a lot for a dog to take in.

We're forgoing the match. The reduced price of the match would be negated by the cost of a hotel room. Also, it's an all-breed match. We have no idea if any other GSDs would be there. I'm afraid it'll feel more like handling class than a show. (However, I can change my mind on this later if I really want to. We can register for the match the day of.)

So there you have it: Barring any last minute changes, Trooper's first shows will be in DeLand next month. I sent in the entry forms and checks Friday morning before I lost my nerve.

October has it's own set of difficult decisions, mainly because everything I want to so it's on the same weekend: the 27th and 28th.

• The German Shepherd Dog Club's annual beach day was rained out last April. It's a favorite outing amongst members, and was rescheduled for October 27th.
• Our favorite barn hunt location has reopened under a new name. Their first trials in over a year are being held that weekend. Jedi only needs two legs for his Open title (RATO). In theory, he can do that in a day. But real life says you never know when he'll be "off."
• Also on 27th is a fun match for German shepherds only. It's being held by the White German Shepherd Dog Club of America, but is open to "non-white" German shepherds. I'm considering going. It's being judged by a professional handler whom I've known around the ring for six years now. In fact, he's handled some of J-Lyn's dogs and has given me ringside tips with Jedi.

See, lots of options. Do we do Beach Day with the Club? It'll be a great chance for Trooper to socialize with other GSDs. OR do we skip Beach Day and do the match? It'll be good practice for Trooper and I'll get a honest opinion from someone I respect. OR should we skip them both and do two days of barn hunting instead of just Sunday? (BTW, I reread the BHA rulebook. Dogs can start trialing at 6 months. I can register Trooper with the Barn Hunt Association and try for his Instinct Title next month).

Fortunately, I've got some time to think this over. I want to see what happens in Deland before I make any final decisions. Besides, I'm not completely gray yet, surely I can squeeze in some more stress between now and then. I'll keep you posted. -- K

Show Season Now Open

Dog sport and show opportunities increase dramatically after Labor Day here in Florida. You can do something (or multiple somethings) every weekend between now and June.

I'm limited by time and money (aren't we all?) and try to choose entries carefully. It's even harder now that I have two dogs, each training and competing in different events. Here are my latest conundrum:

The West Volusia Kennel Club shows are September 22 and 23. These are in Deland, about 90 minutes from home. We can drive back and forth daily, forgoing the cost of a hotel.

Fast CAT is being offered Friday through Sunday, twice daily. I'm entering Jedi Saturday and Sunday at $25/run ($100 total).Hopefully this will be enough for him to earn his BCAT title.

I'm waffling on whether or not to enter Trooper in the 6-9 Puppy conformation shows Saturday and Sunday. They're also $25 a show ($50 total). Trooper and I take handling classes twice a week (at $10/class). Trooper improves each time, but I'm not sure he'll be ready by the show. However, I have to decide NOW. Entries close on September 5. With Monday being a holiday, I have to get the entry in the mail by Saturday.

Here's the dilemma:

• I can enter with option of pulling him (and losing the $50) if he's not ready. OR
• I can keep the cash, continue to train, and plan for the shows in Ocala (which will require a hotel stay) in November.
• Monkey Wrench: There's a sanctioned match (a more relaxed practice show) the night before the WVKC shows. The match is cheaper and we can register the day of (though it's cheaper to pre-register). However, the match starts at 7 PM. This would require us to stay in a hotel after all so that we can make Jedi's event Saturday morning.

See the kind of crap that goes through my head? I can drive myself (and my husband) crazy with this stuff. Any suggestions?

BTW, October is also fraught with difficult decisions, but I'll save that drama for another time. Too much of my neuroses can be detrimental to normal-brained people. Later, -- K

Back to Basics

It's round two for me and the whole dog show thing. It's been years since I've been in the ring, so I thought I'd reread a couple of the books I bought when Jedi was a pup. I was hoping to find a few things I might've missed the first time around.

BOOK #1

The first book I picked up was Raising a Champion: A Beginner's Guide to Showing Dogs. I've had this book for years but didn't remember reading it. I must have, as I found a card from Jedi's puppy shower inside it.

This book assumes that the reader has already chosen a puppy. However, everything else is great for the total newbie. Since I'm a Newbie Plus, I glossed over the parts pertaining to:

• How a dog show works
• Picking your first show
• Premium lists
• Entering a show
• Ring patterns (though I did stop and look at some of the more obscure ones)

I think I know that stuff well enough. However, I slowed down and reread the parts about:

• Handling a lead (getting it bunched up in the hand just right takes some coordination!)
• Teaching a puppy to stack (even though the book doesn't cover the GSD stack or free stacking, it still had some useful tips)
• Teaching a puppy to gait (I need help here!)

I'm a visual learner and like that this book has lots of pictures. I wish the book addressed the teeth exam better. This is required for GSDs and Jedi hated it. Trooper doesn't like me playing with his mouth either so . . . ugh.

The book was published in 2001 but is still relevant today.


BOOK #2

The second book was The Absolute Beginners Guide to Showing Your Dog. I do remember this book. Many of the pages are dog-eared from the first reading. The pages on how to fill out an entry form are well-worn.

I skipped over a lot of the information about the history of dogs shows, finding the right puppy and navigating the paperwork. The chapters on stacking and anatomy were definitely worth reading again. (Unlike the book above, this one did cover free stacking, which is preferred in the GSD ring.)

I read the warnings about backbiting, poor sportsmanship and judicial bias with a different perspective this time around. In fact, I even had faces to go with some of the sleazy tricks mentioned. (Yeah, I'm talking about you, POS Pro Handler in Perry.)

The book is divided into five sections:

• Is Showing Right for You?
• Basic Training
• Mechanical Skills
• Paperwork and Paraphernalia
• Showtime

Each chapter starts off with an "In This Chapter" list, and ends with a "Remember" list of key points for quick reference and review.

I really liked the sidebars. Divided into four categories -- Fancy That, Talking Dog, Watch Your Step! and Tips From the Pros -- these bite-sized nuggets are spread throughout the book. There are also several appendices with useful information. However, this book was also published in 2001 so some information is outdated.

This book is perfect if you're in a hurry (i.e. puppy is napping) or you have a short attention span (like me).

Both of these books are worth reading. They do a nice job demystifying the world of dog shows. That said, each author tells the new fancier that books are no substitute for handling class. SO TRUE! Trooper and I go to class once a week and do some (but not enough) reviewing at home in between. I'll share how that's coming along later. See you around the ring, -- K

And It Begins

The view from our hotel room -- just had to share!

We have officially started Trooper's dog show training. Last weekend RK and I took our dogs to Fort Myers for a 2-day handling seminar. That was incredible! The instructor, Norma Smith, has 45 years of experience. As a professional handler she won 300+ Best in Shows and has been to the Westminster Dog Show a bajillion times. I learned a lot, and realize that we have a lot to work on.

• Trooper has beautiful movement, and really likes to trot around the ring. To get the right form, I need to lengthen my strides instead of just moving faster. At the same time I need to keep my back straight, left arm bent and tucked and the right arm loose but not floppy. This is easier said than done. It feels awkward right now. My hips, knees and glutes have been protesting for days.
• Trooper will stack beautifully when I'm not asking for it. But we're having problems getting him to stack on command.
• Standing in the ring is a must. Trooper doesn't like to stand for longer periods of time. When he gets nervous or bored, his default is to sit down.
• Trooper is unsure of the exam. He'll let me show his teeth with no problem, but is not fond of strangers touching him and he keeps backing up. This is not good, and definitely something we need to work on.
• Trooper travelled very well. It was a 7 hour drive each way (including potty breaks). Trooper didn't bark or throw up.
• There were 19 dogs at the seminar, all crated in the same location. Trooper was awesome! The noise and close quarters didn't bother him at all. He would sit quietly in his crate until it was his turn to work and happily go back in when we were done.
• Trooper didn't have any problems with the hotel. He would let me know when needed to go out, and didn't balk about relieving himself while on the leash.
• Trooper is still a puppy and has his limits. He did great on the first day, but on day two he told me he was done. We tried not to overwork him, giving him plenty of happy breaks. However, I think a two-day seminar was just a little much for him.

My pooped pup. BTW, it's a large crate -- he just likes

to cram himself into the corner.

We got home Sunday near midnight. I had court the following day, so I couldn't call out. (I was exhausted and really, really wanted to call out.) I don't know how I made it through the day. BTW, despite the fatigue, I won my case.

Monday night Trooper and I had S.T.A.R. Puppy class. We're trying to teach Trooper basic doggie manners like walking on a leash, coming when called and keeping four on the floor even when excited. These are tough concepts for a puppy!

On Tuesday night trooper and I drove out to the west side for his first conformation class. Again, stacking and standing for exam were the big challenges. On a happy note, we got to see his breeder again. She says he looks good. Trooper remembered her and was very happy to see her too. How sweet is that?

Wednesday night I slept. A lot. 

Now it's Thursday and the freaking out begins. The West Volusia Kennel Club shows are next month (September 21 & 22). The shows will be inside with flushing toilets (always a plus in my book). The venue is close enough to drive there and back each day. And this was the location of Jedi's first shows. How sweet is that? I'd love these to be Trooper's first shows too, but I don't know if we'll be ready by then. I've got three weeks to make up my mind before I have to send in the entry. ACK! I guess I'd better get off the computer and go practice some stacking with the pup. Catch you later, -- K

P.S. I've been rereading blog posts from Jedi's show days. You would think I'd be less neurotic about it this time around. You would be wrong. Hubby is already looking for some "ring water."