Puppy Match

[awilliams]

Hi all,
My puppy and I are going to a puppy match in a few weeks. What should I do to prepare? She is already doing pretty good on a leash and knows basic command such as sit, stay and we are working on down...
I am not sure how to approach the stacking and I was wondering if anyone could help me?? Any info would be great. Also, what should I expect from a puppy match?
Thank you all in advance!
Andrea and Taylor

[Jane Austen]

I am also interested in what a puppy match is. I have never heard of it.

[glencorgi]

A match is like a practice dog show, agility or obedience trial. All the basic rules apply so they help those new to showing learn the ropes, but without the pressures of a real show. They are more relaxed and casual. For puppies they provide an excellent training opportunity to get them out and go through the paces of what a show is like, socialize them, get them used to having strangers go over them and just have a good time.

Debbie

[glencorgi]

Originally Posted by awilliams

Hi all,
My puppy and I are going to a puppy match in a few weeks. What should I do to prepare? She is already doing pretty good on a leash and knows basic command such as sit, stay and we are working on down...
I am not sure how to approach the stacking and I was wondering if anyone could help me?? Any info would be great. Also, what should I expect from a puppy match?
Thank you all in advance!
Andrea and Taylor

Ooops, missed the first one in this thread. Have you asked your breeder for advice and suggestions on this front? First question is, are you showing in conformation or obedience? IF conformation, then forget the sit, stay, and down - you don't want or need any of those. You'll want her to walk nicely on a leash, stand when you stop and wait your turn for the exam on the table. Table practice will be good - get her used to being up there. Accustom her to letting someone examine her bite. Stacking - hard to explain in writing. How is she at baiting? A lot of exhibitors work on free-baiting with puppies getting them to walk into a natural stack which takes the pressure off of you having to do a hard stack - manually place the feet and set the dog up. Free-baiting also helps to get expression and a puppy to use its ears.

Now if you are doing an obedience match, then practice what is in the obedience rule book as far as the exercises go. For obedience, you don't have to worry about the stack - just a stand for exam.

Hope this helps and good luck!
Debbie

[Michael Romanos]

The word 'stacking' is new to me but I now know what it means in relationship to conformation showing. Thanks. a natural position on stop is much better than having to resort to setting up apart from the odd occasion that an adjustment is required. Since Corgis have such a love for food, baiting is the way to go. Ears up and the alert-look is so important.