tips for first timer at Seiger show

[yogi53]

I need enlightenment...I have learned this..wear sneakers and be prepared to run...don't tire your dog out by letting them socialize all day keep in crate for the most part until time to show...fur saver collar with 4-6 foot leather lead...chairs and plenty of water for the girlie..any other suggestions, comments?? - any and all welcome

[BostonRott]

Wear clothes that are comfortable for the weather. Don't dress like it's an AKC show. Bring her favorite toys to bait her with. You can NOT take food in/near the ring. If she's not baiting, and you're her favorite person, hand the lead off to someone, and leave, like you're going ot get in the car and leave. She'll come right up "O no!! Mom is leaving!!!" Have people at teh corners calling her name when she's gaiting to keep her "up." If the runner is getting tired, hand the lead off, you're allowed to use multiple handlers in running (just be sure they have a number on).


Good luck, you'll have a blast!!! :)

[FredAl]

Make sure your dog is trained to showing all his teeth, not just the front. The judge would like to see the front, sides (especially the little P1s), and wide open so the judge can count the teeth, including the back molars.

[yogi53]

ewwwww, counting them? Sounds like a looong open..we have been practicing "open" but we can only get her to open and look for about 8 seconds and I thought we were doing great!!!

[Judi W]

The judge actually counts them in groups and 8 seconds should be fine.

[rottielover2004]

I did my first seiger show when Harley was 8 months. It was a blast....Just remember to have fun, relax, and the dog will enjoy it too. Def chairs

[mferg]

Teach your dog to freestack. You won't be able to do handstacking on the dog. Work on getting your dog to move toward the baiter. Really, this is line handling skill. Get the dog to strike a stand and reward for holding the stand. You need to learn what looks good and how to make minute adustments like getting a foot to move by varying the tension on the leash. Get the dog comfortable with line tension.

When showing the teeth, get your head out of the way. The judge will likely be holding a clipboard, so get the dog used to having a person standing over it with a clipboard in hand while showing teeth.

Dress for the weather.

[yogi53]

Thank you all for the advice - It was so much fun we all enjoyed ourselves very much and winning was frosting on the cake!!!

[Bob & Linda]

Having recently shown at a Regional Sieger Show and winning NWRYS '05 with Naja Earl Antonius and this was my first ever attempt, I can tell you first hand as a newbie to handling. Shoes is dependant on conditions; some where athletic spikes if the grass is wet, myself a good soled hiking tennis shoe. Leash, nothing less than an 8' leash. I attempted to use a 6', had some very caring top handlers switch me to 8' and that made a big difference. Practice daily presenting teeth, I saw many dogs excused because the handler could not present them properly. You need a small group to assist with the running and baiting. Find what works best for attracting your dog. Naja loves the ball, but she plays with the ball dail. A squeeky toy my friends had made her crazy with drive...and she is hyped up without anything. Use the whole ring when showing, a gait the dog at the pace that best shows the dog, for Naja it is full speed, right before she breaks to a run...she is fully extended and driving hard. Do not get close to others in the ring........that is a no-no. When hooking to the fur saver, dead ring it, not on choke. I leave my dog(s) crated until the class before is just half way through. Bathroom break for us both, sip of water, a little ball play and go in. I would like to say Thank You for the many supporters that assisted me with direction, it was truly heart felt.

Bob

[momasboy]

Has anyone any tips on line handling. We wanted to take o photo of our dog in a stand, we had our son stand with a toy he really likes, but the dog just kept sitting down, he does stand but he just didn't have that drive I think you need, what can we do?

[RottsNScotts]

Sounds like you need to do a little bit of "training". With someone on the line to the collar and behind the dog, have your son show the dog the toy and encourage the dog to follow your son as he backs up (can't sit if he is moving!). When the dog is pulling a bit, tell him "Get it", loosen the leash enough that he can reach the toy where it lands and have your son toss the toy behind him so the dog runs by your son to get the toy. Play, play, play! When the dog has figured this out and is immediately pulling towards your son, briefly - and I mean really briefly! - hold the leash and do not let him go forward. Make the pause SO brief that it doesn't even occur to him to sit before you tell him "Get it", release him and toss the toy.

Slowly increase the time he has to "pause" before being released with "Get it".

If he really is not interested in the toy, you can do the same with a treat; just make sure it is big enough that he can see it and find it immediately once it is tossed.

If there is still trouble, the toy may being held too high which encourages the dog to raise his head which often leads to lowered butts. Try lowering the toy to start, even wiggling it on the ground.

[momasboy]

Thanks for the reply, we will start that today.

[mferg]

Be sure you are doing all this with the leash connected to the dead ring of the collar (if you are using a chain collar). I've seen lots of people try to get their dogs to bait well (pulling into the collar) while the leash is attached to the live ring. The dog is being choked while it's trying to bait for the toy.

[RottsNScotts]

Good point! I was visualizing this but forgot to say it!