Showing

[missfancypants25]

I have never shown a dog or known people who do show their dogs, but it sounds like something I might be interested in in the future. If I did do anything like this it would be in a few years, after I finished collage, but I am wondering if there is anything that I need to do while Waeryn is still young training-wise or anything else like that. I've read about showing a little bit, but still plan to read up on it a lot more. Waeryn loves to learn and I think that it would be fun to give her an activity like that to do.

Whitney

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by missfancypants25

I have never shown a dog or known people who do show their dogs, but it sounds like something I might be interested in in the future. If I did do anything like this it would be in a few years, after I finished collage, but I am wondering if there is anything that I need to do while Waeryn is still young training-wise or anything else like that. I've read about showing a little bit, but still plan to read up on it a lot more. Waeryn loves to learn and I think that it would be fun to give her an activity like that to do.

Whitney

Hi Whitney,

You say "an activity like that". Do you mean conformation showing or obedience, agility, etc?

Peggy

[Freppan]

From what she's said, I think she means conformation showing.

[Michael Romanos]

I am sure that 'showing' or 'shows' means conformation showing competition in the USA.
Conformation showing really starts when your Corgi is a pup because puppy competition is something quite special and if course only lasts until the Corgi turns 12 months - so that in New Zealand terms is a max period of 9 months. The other point is that one uses the puppy stages for learning and perfecting showing techniques and the communication and partnership of handler and Corgi. Otherwise you can start showing competition at any age until perhaps the Corgi turns 8 years old because from their seventh-eighth year, Corgis are usually past their best.
The basis for showing is the Corgi learning come,sit and stay because more specialist training,commands, instructions and routines flow onto to these when the time comes. A Corgi should be encouraged to be handled and 'inspected' by relative strangers and to feel comfortable on a solid table from the earliest. He/she should be walked more often on the left side of you because that is the side for showing purposes and learn to strictly walk to heel.

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by missfancypants25

I have never shown a dog or known people who do show their dogs, but it sounds like something I might be interested in in the future. If I did do anything like this it would be in a few years, after I finished collage, but I am wondering if there is anything that I need to do while Waeryn is still young training-wise or anything else like that. I've read about showing a little bit, but still plan to read up on it a lot more. Waeryn loves to learn and I think that it would be fun to give her an activity like that to do.
Whitney

Ok, I assumed you meant conformation and others think so too, so I'll go with that.

The first thing is to make sure your puppy is a "show prospect" meaning that it was thought by the breeder at the time you bought the puppy to be one that would be competitive in the show ring.

Now, if you got your puppy from a breeder who didn't show, then he/she would not know what is competitive or close enough to the standard to be a show prospect. In that case you'd need to have your puppy evaluated by someone who does show (and has been successful in the show ring.)

If you got your puppy from a show breeder then he/she should have told you up front if your puppy was a show prospect. And if not then your puppy should have been sold to you on a spay neuter contract.

As for age, most of us start showing our puppies at 6 mos or so of age. Depends on when they turn 6 mos. (they cannot show before 6 mos. of age) and when a show we're going to is. There is no upper age limit as far as when you can show your dog. I just put points on a 7 year old and last year Lacy at the age of 11 1/2 took Best of Breed. The 7 year old, (Morgan) will be out again next year looking for that last major. When he obtains his Ch. he will then retire from the show ring.

To be trained for the show ring your dog needs to learn to stand and stay. Needs to stand on the table for exam (including having the teeth looked at) and needs to learn to gait with you. (Gait at a trot for the show ring.) They do not need to know the basic obedience but of course basic obedience is never a bad thing. You do not want your corgi to sit in the show ring. They need to stand and bait (look intrested in the treat you're showing them).

I do not want my dogs to walk at heel in the show ring. I want them to "lead out" a bit in front of me. When they become very seasoned at the show ring, they are often out in front of me at the end of the lead and they set the pace. As long as they don't break out of a trot I allow them to set the pace and I just follow along or keep up.

You can go to "handling classes" to learn to show your dog. And if you are going to show I highly recommend them.

I recommend you go to some shows and watch what goes on there. Most shows are free to spectators. And look at the dogs in the ring. Get a copy of the standard (PWCCA) and take that with you. Read it and look at the dogs in the ring. See which ones you think meet the standard the closest. Also compare your dog to those in the ring and see if she looks like they do.

Talk to the exhibitors and ask them about learning to show. Not all will be willing to help but some will. Ask to talk to them when they're done showing as before they may be busy or nervous.

You can find shows in your area at the AKC site or at infodog.com. Infodog has a state search feature.

Peggy

[missfancypants25]

I am actually not sure what kind of show or activity I would want to get involved in yet. She really loves to learn new things so I think I would like to do something that really worked her mind and gave her something to do. The breeder I got her from does show and she gave me a full registration for Waeryn. After posting this thread I looked up different dog classes in my area and I found this one place that does agility classes and that sounded really interesting to me. They have agility fundamentals, which is a requirement before doing the other two classes they offer which are Beginning Agility I & II. I think agility really sounds like something that would give Waeryn something fun to do (and me too!). I don't know though, I dont know much about any of this yet, I'm just trying to learn all that I can.

[Michael Romanos]

Agility is so much more fun for both Corgi and handler than is the show ring that these two different activities can't compare in this regard. Agility has its risks, bit it should ensure a slimmish version of a Corgi which is a huge health benefit. Agility at the level my Taylor is involved, is at least a weekly activity and initially was almost daily. Showing is not remotely involved to this degree. In New Zealand at least, the socialising and comradeship between dogs and between handlers is far far greater in agility than it is in showing.

[missfancypants25]

Originally Posted by Michael Romanos

Agility is so much more fun for both Corgi and handler than is the show ring that these two different activities can't compare. on this regard. Agility has its risks, bit it should ensure a slimmish version of a Corgi which is a huge health benefit. Agility at the level my Taylor is involved, is at least a weekly activity and initially was almost daily. Showing is not remotely involved to this degree. In New Zealand at least, the socialising and comradeship between dogs and between handlers is far far greater in agility than it is in showing.

Based on what I've read and what you have said I think I'd really like to at least explore agility to see how we like it. Do you think those classes I mentioned sound like a good idea? Is there anything you can think of that I should be working on at home before we sign up for those classes?

[Michael Romanos]

The USA has different regulations and different organisations/competitions than does NZ. There is only one organisation in NZ. But as far as Corgis go - I would not start on out and out agility training until a Corgi is at least 18 months old. Taylor did not start until he turned 2. However there is one agility organisation in the USA which is almost non-competitive. Personally I would avoid this organisation - as would almost every New Zealander experienced in agility -because of its simplicity ie lack of a challenge in regard to the height of the rails in the hurdles and the ease of distance or height with other obstacles. But some Americans have different ideas such as the 'fun' aspect rather than competitiveness and that a hurdle is only a means of directing a dog around a course and that a dog following instructions and sticking to the circuit is the real Big Factor.
You can start a Corgi on some simplified agility obstacles (eg upright tunnel, step-over hurdles) from a early age but the danger here is if the fledging Corgi doesn't feel safe or confident, this could affect his/her future involvement in the sport.
The best preparation for a Corgi puppy is to build up bone and muscle density through a top quality feeding programme and to train a Corgi with the basics so that when the time comes, he/she will respond to instructions off-leash.

[missfancypants25]

Originally Posted by Michael Romanos

The USA has different regulations and different organisations/competitions than does NZ. There is only one organisation in NZ. But as far as Corgis go - I would not start on out and out agility training until a Corgi is at least 18 months old. Taylor did not start until he turned 2. However there is one agility organisation in the USA which is almost non-competitive. Personally I would avoid this organisation - as would almost every New Zealander experienced in agility -because of its simplicity ie lack of a challenge in regard to the height of the rails in the hurdles and the ease of distance or height with other obstacles. But some Americans have different ideas such as the 'fun' aspect rather than competitiveness and that a hurdle is only a means of directing a dog around a course and that a dog following instructions and sticking to the circuit is the real Big Factor.
You can start a Corgi on some simplified agility obstacles (eg upright tunnel, step-over hurdles) from a early age but the danger here is if the fledging Corgi doesn't feel safe or confident, this could affect his/her future involvement in the sport.
The best preparation for a Corgi puppy is to build up bone and muscle density through a top quality feeding programme and to train a Corgi with the basics so that when the time comes, he/she will respond to instructions off-leash.

Here are the descriptions of the three classes that I was looking at. I'd like your opinion on them, if you're willing to give it.


Agility Fundamentals Class:
$ 60.00 for the four-week class.

This is a prerequisite class for Beginning Agility I
(below). In this four-week class dogs and handlers are
taught the beginning basics of agility, safety in the use of
the equipment, and are taught to "target" by touch with
nose or paw, are introduced to the motion of a teeter by
the use of a Buja Board, and are introduced to single
jumps and tunnels. This class sets you up for Beginning
Agility, where dogs are then introduced to the A-frame;
Dog Walk; Spread Jumps; Broad Jump and Teeter (if dog
has mastered Buja Board in the Intro class).


Beginning Agility I:
$ 85.00 for the six-week class.

This is a six-week class in which dogs and handlers are
introduced to the remaining Agility equipment (except for
weave polls), as set out above in the Intro Class
information. In this class, handlers and dogs are
reminded of safety in the use of the equipment as well as
the names of all the equipment. Dogs and handlers are
able to start on the equipment from the first lesson. This
is a good way to find out if you and/or your dog have the
“Agility Bug”.


Beginning Agility II:
$85.00 for the five-week class.

This is a five-week class in which dogs and handlers will
be introduced to the Weave Polls and work on fine tuning
their runs. Handlers and dogs will work on hand signals,
front and rear crosses, timing, speed, and "guest
instructors" who currently run their dogs in trials will be
on hand to lend their guidance and expertise.

[Michael Romanos]

I am proud to gloat that Taylor was ready for competitive agility (and remember NZ has much higher standards for small dogs like Corgis than there is in the USA) after five paid training sessions and some extra non-instructed training at a neighbour's property - and we had started completely from scratch.
The charges in the USA are high - $60 would take me and Taylor through the entire year. IT ALL READS WELL. I fear that Taylor will never master the Teeter(called a seesaw in NZ) because we have the thing at full height irrespctive of the dog's size (until the regulations are changed). Just be careful when to start Waeryn and be careful not to overdo repetitions during training. A Corgi should be nurtured a bit more carefully than dogs with longer legs and dogs with plenty of spring (eg Miniature Poodles). If you want to retain elements of challenge and real competitiveness, join the competition organisation in the USA which presents those two features - for a Corgi they will still be much easier than they are here in NZ.

[fogebotom]

I would recommend getting a basic obedience class under your belt first. Believe me having the basic commands will be a big bonus when trying to teach the pieces. Also most instructors will tell you that your corgi should not be jumping anything over 4" or doing lots of down contacts off steep obstacles until they are at least 18 mos old. Hopefully you can get in contact with your dog's breeder and ask her what she recommends. I actually specify these types of thi