How NOT to enter a conformation show!

[frontierrots]

I did not really intend to enter this day to show. There are two shows on consecutive days each July just 1 mile down the road from my house (Lakes Region Kennel Club). I always enter both days because hey, if I can't get to a show a mile from home I need to give up!

However, this year I can not have both days off, just one. I only have 1 Shiba to show since I placed one and another is in the whelping box. I won't enter obedience there because the rings are always really hot and sunny, outdoors and very distracting (it's a Fairground with livestock poop smells everywhere)

So I since I have never shown Bea in conformation (she has her CGC and 2 CD legs) except in a match last summer, I wanted to choose the day with the EASIER judge for her to deal with at her first conformation event

Rules of thumb to entering a dog show

A) read your entry cutoff date more than once. I thought the entry deadline was 5 days later than it was

B) when you realize the deadline is tomorrow take your time and try to think. WRITE the entry out

C) do not make your entry at 5:45 AM of the day the entries close at noon

D) Do not make your entry at 5:45 AM when you have worked more hours than normal because of your assistants vacation and your brain is fried

Because if you do:

1- you will enter the wrong day of a two day show (hand
raised)

2- you will enter your daughter in the wrong Jrs class (hand raised again)

3- you will not only enter the wrong day but said entry is under a scarey sunglasses and hat judge (Jean Fornier, a REALLY nice judge but one who's hat and wrap-around sunglasses fashion has scared many a young dog) with a totally (conformation show) inexperienced 15 month old dog and the entry will be worth 0 points to top it off (hand raised yet again)

So we have to be at the show (thank God it is 1 mile from home) before 8am to change poor daughter and her Shiba to NOVICE Senior from (gasp on her part) OPEN Senior, the Shibas and Rottweilers both show at 9 am, then Jrs at 10:30

Wish us well and learn from my brain fry will ya?! LOL :)

[MontanaRott]

LOL! Thanks Diane, you have given me a good heads up and a good look at what to expect down the road when entering the boys in future shows(brain fart), not to mention a dang good laugh!

[MARYDVM]

You could always give the conformation ring a pass, and chalk the entry fee up to a "learning experience". I don't have to worry about any kind of showing until the fall - there aren't any shows of any kind closer than CA until the weather cools down a little.

[Rottlva]

OY Vey Diane!!! Sounds like you had a day full of mistakes. ;) But, I'm sure the Bea girl got some good exposure....... well outside of the ring away from the sunglasses and hat judge !

[frontierrots]

LOL It's THIS Wed so we have not gone yet.
I've practiced a bit with family and friends wearing hat and glasses and she has been fine. But I have not been able to get the time to have strangers help us with the kennel being so busy. Everytime Bea's at the kennel clients are 3 & 4 deep so I can't take the time to ask one to help

Maybe tomorrow since people won't likely all come at once but will be pretty steady all day

I plan to ake her and stand very close to the ring for the breeds before hand so she can see the judge for 45 minutes first plus the boy rotts will go in first. If she freaky we will pull.

She IS used to obedience jusges doing the stand for exam, but THEY don't stare in the dog's eyes, nor handle their face/head, nor lean over them fodling the whole body

We shall see. And if she is even remotely freaky we won't enter the ring