Freighter is entered in the Michigan Winter Dog Classic, which starts tomorrow and runs through Sunday. He is entered all four days.
You might remember that Freighter made his show debut last year and took a point one day. This year the competition will be stiff because the Chessie entry is larger than it was last year.
In preparation for the shows, we took Freighter to a drop in conformation class at a local training club. These kinds of classes are a great way for a dog to gain some ring experience. We had hoped to go to the class last week, but we had the giant snow, so no class. This week the class did not go off without a hitch either. The normal instructor was absent and there was some mix-up about who would open the building and teach the class. I have to give the club members credit though. They got on the phone and found someone with a key, and then various members pitched in to teach the class.
I use the word “teach” loosely because they really aren’t teaching, but rather simulating what would happen at a show and sharing tips and tricks. If the person is experienced, you can really learn a lot. The normal instructor is very good, but it was nice to get some different feedback.
The class started about a half hour late, so ended the same half hour late. That was OK because I was able to spend some time playing with my camera. I got a new zoom lens and a new prime lens which I haven’t been able to play with because the weather has been so nasty. I can only take so many pictures of the dogs laying on their beds. 🙂
Since the class is run like you are actually at a show, there is a lot of time to practice stacking:
The dogs are also examined the same way the judges will do at the show. At this class the dogs were examined by three different people. The instructors took a little extra time going over the dogs because the idea is to make the dogs feel comfortable with people they don’t know touching them.
The handlers also spent a lot of time moving the dogs. This was a good thing for Freighter because he was a bit out of practice at the start. The instructors also had the handlers move the dogs in various patterns. You might think that the dogs always move the exact same pattern at a show. Not so. It is true many judges have the dogs move the same pattern as other judges, but every once in a while, a judge will have the handler move in a different pattern. It is a good idea to practice these once in a while.
The dogs also spent time moving around the ring as a group. This is another area where practicing in a class can help. The dogs get used to moving with other dogs in front of and behind them. These instructors had the dogs move around the ring many times. As you can see with the larger dogs, you are really moving fast. Both handlers and dogs were pooped at the end of the hour. 🙂
Thanks to Cindy for working with Freighter and best of luck to all of the dogs entered this weekend!
We hope the extra bit of training helped and nice pix. Good luck with the MWDC. Look forward to hearing all about it. Have a wonderful Wednesday.
Best wishes Molly
Go get em Freighter.
Blessings,
Goose
I need to try and get there!! They sent me info to post tomorrow on Dakota’s blog………if I am able to get there I will look for you
That would be great!
Good luck Freighter! You can do it! Mom and Bailie are in a mad panic as well, trying to practice for her obedience final in 2.5 weeks. She has lots of work to do, but you look like you are doing fabulous!
GOOD LUCK, he looks really good practicing, really nice indoor pictures to!
I’m interested to see how he does in this show and wish you the best of luck!!
And I noticed you have a new theme going on with this. Very clean and simple. I like it.
Good luck Freighter! Wooooowooooooo!
Good luck, Freighter! He looks pretty good to me!
We did a couple conformation classes before getting in the ring with Moses way back in the day. It was good practice, but we were brand-spanking-new and no idea what we were doing. The instructor would just direct the group, but provide ZERO feedback. Is that normal? Because it felt to us like our money could’ve been spent elsewhere and we were very clear on our need for instruction.
Awkward moment was when that instructor ended up being our judge at show one weekend. He didn’t acknowledge our existence and Moses continued his losing streak, but I was annoyed. Who better to give pointers?!
I think it depends. Some I have seen will just run it like a show with zero feedback. Others will give tips and help. For example: One guy’s dog kept side tracking and the instructor had the handler hold the lead in a different way. Solved the problem. When hubby was showing Thunder, the instructor at the time (she has since passed away), really helped him adjust his speed and movement to help Thunder look his best. I guess not everyone is cut out to be a good instructor. I think those who have helped junior handlers are the best because with the juniors it is all about how they show the dog and not about the dog itself.
You took some lovely photos. Good luck!
Go Freighter! And your photos with the new lens look great! I have never had Gracie at a show, but do have a friend who shows her whippets and Manchester terriers in both confirmation and agility, so have learned about that from her. I have also watched one of her whippets at a lure coursing event. It looks like a lot of work!
Freighter looks very proud in the show ring! Great post to read.
http://sumskersandearlskers13.blogspot.co.uk/
Good luck at the show! I hope Freighter does you proud.
Good luck with the trials – Freighter looks pretty good to my untrained eye. Love the first shot of him with Cindy – looking devotedly at her. “Scratch my chest like that and I’ll do anything you want”.
Good luck, Freighter! Looking good at practice!
How exciting! We’re rooting for you, Freighter!
Good luck Freighter! We’re going to a dog show this weekend too but just to watch.
Have fun!
Sounds like a lot of work and a lot of fun! The stacking sounds like something I could teach Maya and Pierson even though they will never be in the ring. I’d like to be able to teach them to let me put them in a certain position and stay in that position until I release them. When you or someone else puts Freighter in position, how do you teach him to stay in that position?
Best of luck to you this weekend! I will be living my show days through you and cheering from home!
Good Luck to Freighter have a great day 🙂