new to this

[beanthng]

I've owned rotts my whole life and have a new baby coming November 6th. With this new guy I want to show him. I don't know the first thing about it and was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to locate someone who can show him (and train me for it as well) and what his initial training should be. He'll be 8 weeks old when we bring him home Nov 6.

One of the reasons I'd like to show him is his family history. There is so much success in his line that I feel it would be the right thing to do. Our past rotts have all been amazing pets. Wonderful, intelligent animals. I don't work any longer and was thinking I would give this a try, (my dogs are the 1 thing I have a passion for). I know showing him will mean having someone show him for me since I know nothing of it, however I'd like to learn myself. Any ideas where to start. I live in upstate NY.

Keep in mind, I'm a complete novice in that circuit. Owning them and showing them are totally different things and if I sound like I know nothing of it, it's because I really dont. I'd love to though. I'm so proud of my new pup and want to continue his family history.

[Mavides]

Your breeder is the one you should be talking too -- hopefully they already show since you mentioned that their lines have had a lot of success -- they should be thrilled that you are considering showing and be more than willing to help you get started on the right foot. That being said - do some internet searching for handling classes and/or seminars in your area and sign you and your pup up for some. Start out by entering matches...judges are generally much more patient with pups and with new handlers at matches rather than regular shows. Have fun - but be careful.....it's addicting!!!! :)

[KrystalBallard]

I agree with Mavides-

Definately talk to you breeder. Im getting another pup on Nov 8th, which is suppose to be ready on the 6th..... From NY....wonder if we are getting out of same litter? You can email me if you like off of my website.

Anyways...there are some good books out that explains how to get the pup ready. Depending on if your doing AKC or the Seiger shows will depend on how you pup stacks....we are doing AKC to start so I am stacking gretta and placing her paws whereas in seiger shows they need to be able to free form stack.

There are pros and cons to each type of show and your breeder should be able to help you out with finding a handler & helping you choose a show to go with.

[AngelBunny]

I ask this question for the lurkers and newbies who may not be aware that showing involves performance as well as breed--I assume you're talking about breed/conformation showing?

The very first person you should be talking to is the breeder of your puppy. He or she will likely be thrilled you're interested in showing and will be a wonderful resource, able to give you tips, insights, and suggestions for handlers. (I know you said you want to handle your dog yourself, but that can be very challenging.)

I further assume you'll also be doing performance showing. This is something you as an owner can easily do.

[beanthng]

Thanks so much. After I posted I did write to the breeder for other things and in doing so, was messing with the web pages and there in black in white, it shows, lifetime breeding support, etc. DUHHH, told you I was new to this.

And yes I did mean breed/conformation. For me basically its a way to keep myself busy and give my pup work. These dogs love to be active and I'd love to learn more about them. Owning them for years and there is always more to learn, different ideas, different ways, different dogs, etc. This is an area totally new to me. I love and adore them as members of my family but am ready for a challenge, and only good can come of it for my pup.

Thanks again for answering such rediculously obvious questions to some. I'm going to need all the help I can get on this I'm sure. I'm so excited I can hardly wait.

[JemarsSerena]

We just started showing about a year ago. With my breeder living 4 hours away it was difficult for her to get us some help. Luckily at a show I went to I met another breeder who was more than willing to help me and introduce us to an incredible trainer. Using handlers is great when you need those big wins, but learning how to show your pup yourself is tons of fun.

Don't forget to show off in the Obedience, agility, herding, Tracking, Schutzhund and Rally rings as well, rotts are the most versitile breed out there.

[beanthng]

Yessss, I would absolutely love to have the dog be versatile. My thing would be tracking. I've always wanted to do that. We do have a really good agility trainer in my town, (I just found out). I see the obedience for 8-20 wks. Is this really possible. I mean I've always trained my own and they come off leash, they drop it, sit , lay, get back, etc. the know tons of commands and listen so well. I know this new pup will be required to be even more obedient if he's going to show.

I guess my question is....... is it the right thing to do to put him in training at 8 wks??????
Anyone else that's new to this I'd love to hear from. I'm learning from all of you and love to hear the different advice.

Thanks again. Wonderful support!!!!!

Beanie

[moondog]

Originally Posted by beanthng

I guess my question is....... is it the right thing to do to put him in training at 8 wks??????

Your puppy has been learning since the day he was born, so yes. For very young puppies, the training is age appropriate and VERY good for them - this is when they "learn how to learn" (and you "learn how to teach"), and a puppy kindergarten class at 8 weeks is a wonderful way to start off on the right track.

There's a great book for foundation work with puppies titled "Building Blocks for Performance" by Bobbie Anderson. Buy it now and read it through - then read it again as you are teaching your puppy. It clearly demonstrates do's and don't of puppy training and will teach you how to teach your puppy using fun and games. Follow her methods and you will have a dog that is thrilled to work for you because there's joy in it.

[JemarsSerena]

Originally Posted by beanthng

I guess my question is....... is it the right thing to do to put him in training at 8 wks??????
Anyone else that's new to this I'd love to hear from.

My only thought on this ties in with what moondog said. Training is age appropriate. We pushed Serena really hard at a young age and training lost a lot of it allure to her. We actually had to back off for about 6 months and then start over. So be careful not to push to hard and make training fun.