Remy’s Show Thread

[remy]

Remy looked great!!! Nicely done! So great to see how they handle 3 or 4 hours at a show. And it helps them be better dogs in general.
Congrats, and love the pic's and videos!

Thank you so much!

 

[remy]

We didn’t have the best day yesterday. Remy had an upset stomach all day, got hives an hour before ring time, and then tried to eat 2 socks… I was able to get them thankfully. We actually packed up this morning and left the hotel before 6am instead of staying for the last 2 shows. He woke up around 4am and was very itchy and whining a lot. He didn’t settle down for awhile so we decided just to leave. Thankfully in the car he was able to get some rest. He’s been sleeping most of the time we’ve been home too.

I was a bit stressed (not because of Remy/the show) beforehand, and when I got into the ring I felt like I had no clue what I was doing lol. He’s been very good with holding his stack but he wouldn’t keep still for long. He also wouldn’t keep his tail up, but I’m sure he wasn’t feeling his best. I think this made me a little flustered because I don’t usually have to keep adjusting him. Just to be clear, I’m not saying that’s why it wasn’t a good day! Just noting how he/we did. I am proud of how he did gaiting behind the other dog! He’s only been able to do this once in practice and it didn’t go very well. He was basically galloping the whole time and pulling ahead lol. He also sat ringside for quite awhile after this turn and did great! There was only Remy and another dog in his class (youth dogs) and Remy was second.

We were supposed to be given our critique card from the judge today, but of course we were not there to get it lol. She did give a brief verbal critique of each dog. She mentioned liking his head, length of neck, rear angulation, nice bite and good temperament. She said his topline is a bit soft “at this age” and that his chest isn’t fully dropped yet because he is young.

I was hoping to show again today so I could do a better job handling and feel more relaxed, but I didn’t see a point of making him go through a long day when he’s not feeling well. I didn’t get many actual pictures, so these are mostly screenshots!

It sucks that we didn’t do the other shows, but I’m still happy we went and got some more experience!

Same free stack. I tried to bait his head down a little but he ended up stepping forward.


Go-around - I was sure if I went too slow here? The women in front of me asked that I leave a lot of space, so I didn’t want to go too quick.

 

[JanS]

Aww you guys still looked great out there and if he wasn't feeling well it's tough being on top of the game.

and that his chest isn’t fully dropped yet because he is young.

Well they're supposed to take that into consideration and go by age. These lines are sort of slow for chest development too but it shouldn't count against them.

I was sure if I went too slow here? The women in front of me asked that I leave a lot of space, so I didn’t want to go too quick.

I thought you looked good but why didn't the woman in front of you let you go first if she has space restrictions... Phoebe didn't care for dogs behind her but it was up to me, not the other competitor to work on that.

 

[remy]

Aww you guys still looked great out there and if he wasn't feeling well it's tough being on top of the game.

Thank you!

Well they're supposed to take that into consideration and go by age. These lines are sort of slow for chest development too but it shouldn't count against them.

The judge asked everyone how old their dog was, even those in the adult and veteran classes. The youth class is for 12-24 month olds. I believe the other dog was just slightly older than Remy. Maybe since they are similar in age the judge felt like the other dog’s chest was more developed compared to Remy’s?

A little off topic, but I heard the judge tell the woman who was writing the critiques “medium size”. I’m not sure if that was in regards to his height or substance, but he’s (unofficially since I measured at home) 28” or just under that at the withers. Part of her critique for the other dog was that she liked his size, and he was visibly a bit taller than Remy.

I thought you looked good but why didn't the woman in front of you let you go first if she has space restrictions... Phoebe didn't care for dogs behind her but it was up to me, not the other competitor to work on that.

Obviously I’m very new to showing, so I’m not sure if this is always the case, but maybe since we were called in by number she didn’t want to go out of order? It worked out fine for us though since it gave Remy a chance to gait behind another dog without being right up behind them.

 

[JanS]

but he’s (unofficially since I measured at home) 28” or just under that at the withers. Part of her critique for the other dog was that she liked his size, and he was visibly a bit taller than Remy.

Well she needs to study the breed standard a bit more then... Last summer one of the judges said Elroy was by far the nicer Doberman but he needs to grow up more so she gave it to the other one. He was quite a bit younger since the other one was right at the age limit to the next class.

 

[Ravenbird]

I can't comment on details because I've never shown confo and don't have a clue how they pick - but you need to pat yourself on the back for showing up, going through the learning process and putting some experience under your belt!

I heard the judge tell the woman who was writing the critiques “medium size”. I’m not sure if that was in regards to his height or substance, but he’s (unofficially since I measured at home) 28” or just under that at the withers.

Since you don't know what they were referring to and you didn't pick up your critique, I'd definitely not speculate. I've never heard of reference to a height or substance by "medium size" - Sounds like an order for a soft drink at McDonalds! LOL. You might email the trial secretary and explain your dog was not well and you had to leave and is there any way the critique could be mailed.

Don't worry about your mistakes in the ring - it's all learning! You got to get some experience without being overwhelmed by "big show" atmosphere. Proud of you for going and sharing your adventure with us - your pictures are super, y'all are a team in the making!

 

[Two Dobes]

I applaud you for packing up and heading home when you saw he was not into it. Showing gets expensive, especially when you travel for it, and sometimes it feels like you just threw a bunch of $$ away when you have to pull your entry. I think you did the right thing. There will be other shows, and you guys got some more experience. Hope that he is feeling better!

 

[Kswoodssue]

You look great! I showed horses and cattle through my youth, and still attend shows. My advice is always stay calm, never lose your temper, be courteous to judges and other entries, and know your dog’s best and worst points. It will come with experience….and wondering if the hives is anxiety related or what triggered them.?

 

[remy]

I can't comment on details because I've never shown confo and don't have a clue how they pick - but you need to pat yourself on the back for showing up, going through the learning process and putting some experience under your belt!

Thank you!

Since you don't know what they were referring to and you didn't pick up your critique, I'd definitely not speculate. I've never heard of reference to a height or substance by "medium size" - Sounds like an order for a soft drink at McDonalds! LOL.

I haven’t really heard that either, except for in the standard describing them as a medium sized breed. I was guessing that may have been what she meant because the other dog was a little taller, but like you said, who knows lol.

You might email the trial secretary and explain your dog was not well and you had to leave and is there any way the critique could be mailed.

I actually emailed them this morning! I was hoping they could email it to me.

Don't worry about your mistakes in the ring - it's all learning! You got to get some experience without being overwhelmed by "big show" atmosphere. Proud of you for going and sharing your adventure with us - your pictures are super, y'all are a team in the making!

Definitely! We came to get more experience and that’s what we did!

and wondering if the hives is anxiety related or what triggered them.?

I don’t think it was from anxiety. It happened before we got to the show, and prior to that he was hanging out in the hotel room with a bully stick lol. I really have no clue, but I’m thinking it could have either been from a bug bite or something in the weeds?

I applaud you for packing up and heading home when you saw he was not into it. Showing gets expensive, especially when you travel for it, and sometimes it feels like you just threw a bunch of $$ away when you have to pull your entry. I think you did the right thing. There will be other shows, and you guys got some more experience.

Thank you! As much as I would’ve liked to show today, I didn’t want to do it if he wasn’t feeling well and make it a negative experience for him.

Hope that he is feeling better!

Unfortunately, the hives are still pretty bad. I’ve been keeping up with the Benadryl but it doesn’t seem to do anything for him. He’s been asleep pretty much all day, but that could also be from the Benadryl.

 

[Rits]

Great job getting out there! Wish it was a better day for you and a better weekend but like I told you in private, good call on doing whats best for your dog. If he wasn't feeling well, he isn't going to show well. Showing dogs is SO much more than running circles around the ring. It includes the care of the dog and making sure they LOOK and FEEL their best!!


I'm not quite sure on the critiques. Remy's size is at the upper end of the standard so giving the other young male more favoritism because he was larger/out of standard isn't right. Remy is also quite developed for his young age so I'm a bit shocked to hear that she thought his chest was under developed.

Go-around - I was sure if I went too slow here? The women in front of me asked that I leave a lot of space, so I didn’t want to go too quick.

Listen to whatever the judge tells you for directions. If the judge wants you all to go at the same time, leave about 2-3 dogs between you and the dog in front of you, that is plenty of room. Don't feel you have to do something differently because another exhibitor tells you to. At the end of the day, everyone is in it for themselves. Not saying the person ahead of you was but just remember, unless you know them personally and have a great relationship with the other competitor, they are looking to make their dog look the best... not yours. You do what YOU need to do to make your dog look the best. If that means you need to wait longer so your dog can go the speed they need to go, or that you have to run into the corners so your dog doesn't have to slow down because of the dog in front, or you have to run up on the dog in front because they are going too slow even though you gave them plenty of space....you do what you have to do. The judge typically is only looking for a moment when you are doing the go around so its your job to make sure they are moving well during that moment.

He still looks good despite the nerves kicking in and him being fidgety! Nerves are normal and you were working with a dog that wasn't feeling his best so not either of your fault! One thing I'd do as a handler with you and Remy and specifically is to either stand out in front of him, entirely away from his head, and leave him in a stand stay. Or stand in the middle of his back and bend over, leaning forward while baiting him. You are a taller handler so it can make him appear smaller than he is with you right next to him.


There will be plenty of next times! It DOES get easier the more you do it and you look like you did great for your second time being in a show ring!! Every time you step foot in the ring you learn and will only get better and better for the next time.

 

[Ddski5]

I can't comment on details because I've never shown confo and don't have a clue how they pick - but you need to pat yourself on the back for showing up, going through the learning process and putting some experience under your belt!

I am like @Ravenbird on this but I do know this….gotta go fishing to catch fish- can’t do it on the couch.

I can’t tell you the number of things I’ve done in life that seemed like a failure only to use that experience later on to improve. The old people use to tell me that and I didn’t get it then but looking back at it- it made me stronger and more confident.

Keep doing what you do…it’ll pay off.

 

[FrauDoberman]

@remy I apologize - i forgot that you would be here and to say hello in person on Saturday, then didn't see you on Sunday. I did see your dog and thought he looked great! Could not tell it was his second show ever! I was the one with purple hair, left arm in a splint and trying to wrestle a big red dog around the ring.

We can absolutely get you the judge's critique over to you! I suspect she simply meant that your dog was correctly sized, as in a medium sized dog per the standard. It was interesting hearing each judges' verbal reasoning for their placing. All 3 judges were often in agreement on each dog's positives and negatives, but not always on what importance each element what into their reasoning.

The handler of the other dog is a long time professional and very supportive of novice handlers. I think she was just trying to help you by reminding you to give each dog space on the go around.

This showing stuff will get better, I've been in your shoes and there will be times when things go wrong. Believe in your dog and enjoy the ride!

 

[remy]

@remy I apologize - i forgot that you would be here and to say hello in person on Saturday, then didn't see you on Sunday.

That’s okay! Unfortunately right before the show on Saturday he got hives, which only got worse and still haven’t gone away. Between that and him having an upset stomach, I thought it was best to skip Sunday’s shows, although I would have loved to come. I hope to attend another UDC event with him in the future!

I did see your dog and thought he looked great! Could not tell it was his second show ever!

Thank you so much!

We can absolutely get you the judge's critique over to you!

I emailed Leslie this morning and heard back from her a little bit ago. She is going to send over his critique!

It was interesting hearing each judges' verbal reasoning for their placing. All 3 judges were often in agreement on each dog's positives and negatives, but not always on what importance each element what into their reasoning.

I enjoyed the show for this reason! As someone very new to showing, I like to hear other people’s opinions on things since some are still hard for me to recognize myself.

The handler of the other dog is a long time professional and very supportive of novice handlers. I think she was just trying to help you by reminding you to give each dog space on the go around.

Oh, I didn’t take it as a negative thing! I’m not sure if it came across that way. I just meant I wasn’t sure if I was moving him to slow in order to leave some space.

This showing stuff will get better, I've been in your shoes and there will be times when things go wrong. Believe in your dog and enjoy the ride!

Thank you!

 

[remy]

Showing dogs is SO much more than running circles around the ring. It includes the care of the dog and making sure they LOOK and FEEL their best!!

Definitely! There are so many little things that go into it and that you need to think about.

Remy is also quite developed for his young age so I'm a bit shocked to hear that she thought his chest was under developed.

I’m curious, when people talk about the chest “dropping” does that generally refer to the depth of body? That’s what I always assumed. I feel like he’s always been good in that aspect, but maybe she thought he didn’t have enough forechest? I probably should have asked but I didn’t think to in the moment.

Listen to whatever the judge tells you for directions. If the judge wants you all to go at the same time, leave about 2-3 dogs between you and the dog in front of you, that is plenty of room.

This is good to know. I wasn’t sure what amount of space you should leave. When I initially went to stack him before the go around, I was too close and had to back up a little.

One thing I'd do as a handler with you and Remy and specifically is to either stand out in front of him, entirely away from his head, and leave him in a stand stay. Or stand in the middle of his back and bend over, leaning forward while baiting him. You are a taller handler so it can make him appear smaller than he is with you right next to him.

Good advice! I have no clue why I was standing there to be honest. I think I blacked out.

There will be plenty of next times! It DOES get easier the more you do it and you look like you did great for your second time being in a show ring!! Every time you step foot in the ring you learn and will only get better and better for the next time.

Thank you! I figure there is always something to learn, especially being a newbie! I’ve been focusing mostly on gaiting and free stacks, but now that he was moving a bit during hand stacking, I’m going to practice that some more with him.

 

[Kswoodssue]

Thank you!

I haven’t really heard that either, except for in the standard describing them as a medium sized breed. I was guessing that may have been what she meant because the other dog was a little taller, but like you said, who knows lol.

I actually emailed them this morning! I was hoping they could email it to me.

Definitely! We came to get more experience and that’s what we did!

I don’t think it was from anxiety. It happened before we got to the show, and prior to that he was hanging out in the hotel room with a bully stick lol. I really have no clue, but I’m thinking it could have either been from a bug bite or something in the weeds?

Thank you! As much as I would’ve liked to show today, I didn’t want to do it if he wasn’t feeling well and make it a negative experience for him.

Unfortunately, the hives are still pretty bad. I’ve been keeping up with the Benadryl but it doesn’t seem to do anything for him. He’s been asleep pretty much all day, but that could also be from the Benadryl.

Wasn’t a shampoo an allergen suspect before?

 

[remy]

Wasn’t a shampoo an allergen suspect before?

Yes. Although I ruled that out as the cause. He’s used the shampoo I bathed him with for the last few months with no reaction.

 

[remy]

Remy had his “official” AKC debut today! He was shown by a handler (who he met less than 30 minutes to ring time) and did really well with her. Minus when she first took him to practice, he wasn’t wanting to gait lol. He’s the dog with the woman in the floral jumpsuit.

There were two shows today. In the first he was second in his class of three dogs. In the second show he won the class and went on to get Reserve Winners Dog! I was so happy he made placements today, especially because there was a little bit of competition! I was fully prepared for him to get last each time lol, and I would have been just as happy because it was a great learning experience for him.

He is showing again on Sunday. I actually drove back home tonight to celebrate my brother’s birthday tomorrow, then tomorrow night I’ll head back to NC for Sunday’s shows.

I believe all of the clips are from the second show. For some reason everything was blurry in my video from the first one. There was a ringside photographer and I saw some of the photos on a monitor. It looks like she got some great movements photos of him, so I’ll share those once they’re available for me to buy!

I didn’t really get any good photos. I didn’t want to get too close and distract him.

 

[JanS]

Congratulations; he looked great!

 

[jazzies mum]

Well done! I am always surprised that a handler who has just met the dog can get them going well. I'm sure it's due to a lot of training on your part so congratulations!

 

[Ravenbird]

Well done! I am always surprised that a handler who has just met the dog can get them going well. I'm sure it's due to a lot of training on your part so congratulations!

Exactly what I was going to say, especially since didn't grow up in the show atmosphere! Big congratulations!