help with having nkc show dog - Page 1

i have a pup that i would like to start training for show.  He is 4 wks right now. and i have no idea what i'm doing.  i been searching for a mentor in my area, but no luck.  i guess there afraid of the competion. i dont know though.   But i would like to give it one hellva try.  any help with starting the stance, where to get the special collar for the trot and so forth will help.  i know that not all dogs will be show dogs, but i want to try and see.  i also know it will be lots of hard work, grooming, socialization, training of all kinds, from obedience to special walks and so forth.  please no critizum.  i'm trying to make a dream i have come true.  even if the dog does not win, of least i can say i tried.  thank you.

by the way the pup is a johnson american bulldog.  here is the pup with his dad. by the way i know the pup needs a solid color  nose.  in order to compete in shows.

Your best starting point will be an all breed dog training club. If you can not find an all breed dog training club in your area. Then maybe see if you can join a Obedience training club. Obedience is the most important part of dog training and everything you learn in obedience can and will help you in showing.
I personally start all my pups in puppy class to get them lots socialization and i ask a lot of people to pet and handle my pups.
This is very important because you want to present a happy, safe and stable dog. Not a dog aggressive, shy from humans other then handler or aggressive to the  judge dog. So soon as vet gives the thumbs up for puppy to start classes get going. 10 to 12 weeks is perfectly normal.
Follow up puppy class with Basic Obedience. As a lot of your training will start to become more refined in basic and you can start adding things like teaching the puppy to stack, having friendly strangers go over your puppy like they dog in the show ring. Make sure the puppy is comfortable with people touching their heads, looking at the teeth, running their hands over the body, touching the gentiles. (most important if you have a male.)
You will also need to teach the puppy to stack, teaching them to place their feet to make them look good standing still. Have the puppy learn to gait so them move correctly and the judge can see how well put together they are. How to present the dog to a judge. ( have the dog show interest in a toy or treat)
Learn what to expect as a handler and most important to show good sportsmanship at every show. No body likes a sore loser, every dog will get beat by some other dog some day. Always thank the judge for their time even if you flat out lose. Read the UKC show rules and before you ever show your own dog. Go to some local shows and watch. Ask questions, talk to other exhibitors. They can tell you where the good training classes are. Where the fun (practice matches are located)
When you are ready to show you will need a show collar. Usually some sort of choke chain or leather or nylon slip lead. A short leash or leather or fabric. (I prefer leather my self, it just feels nice and is easier to control a dog with.)
For our breed grooming is very easy. Wash you dog the day before show. If your puppy is all white a nice optical whiting shampoo will make their coats look very white and shiny. Clip and file the nails. Clean the ears. Brush pup with a rubber curry comb to remove any excess shedding coat. Dog is done.
Do not add any sort of products to the coat like mink oil. Many judges will dismiss a dog for having foreign substances in the ring.
Besides you don't have a poodle so no Frufru!
At this time don't worry about the nose color on the pup. Judges will not penalize a young dog for incomplete pigment and lost of bulldogs take up to 2 years to get full pigment. I had a female that was all white and her nose was spotted till about 2 then it finally filled all the way in.
Contact the UKC and see if they have a listing of dog training clubs in your area.
Hope this helps and please feel free to ask me questions. Best of luck!
Fry

Fry thank you, i will call diffrent vets and ask them about a training club.  And i will also contact the registery again and see what they say.  maybe i'll get someone diffrent to help me.  i'll keep you posted on the progress.  right now he is only 4 wks of age.  so i know i have a very long way to go.  thanks again.  and i hope this pup works out for show.

Why not ask these questions on an AB board?  You got your dogs from someone...why aren't they mentoring you?  I mentor my puppy owners (or any AB owner who asks).  The area of the country you are in will greatly determine which registry has the most accessible shows.  Most NKC shows are in the Southeast these days.  

Go to the shows to watch and learn.  There was a big NKC show near Asheville, NC this past weekend.  

Google search for local kennel clubs to find conformation handling classes.

I wonder if the dogs were purchased from someone too far away to stop by and help? But the AB board is the place to start. The real question is which one is safe for newbies. I mean between the drama, back biting, in fighting, name calling, cross breeding, and the liars. Where is safe? This OP might just be doing the smart thing, asking on an all breed board.
Lemme know Maggie. I'll post up some suggestions when i get a few minutes.
Fry.

All the breed boards are bad about in-fighting etc...I honestly can't decide which breed people are the worst about it!  lol  

I guess it would probably be better to get on facebook and starting making bulldog friends!  The bulldog crowd is pretty approachable and a lot of fun at shows...honestly, the internet warriors on the boards don't even go to shows!  ;-)

http://www.theamericanbulldogclub.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&view=latest&Itemid=77
This board is the least vicious of them all. Pretty mellow and friendly group.

http://www.manstoppers.com/bullyvard/viewforum.php?f=1
This board i mostly just look at. They are crazy, breed way too much and all seem to hate each other.

http://www.true-grit.org/TGAB/
This board is most active but they don't have much of a johnson following. They do post a lot of shows and events.
They will tear you to shreds for not having OFA, Titles and hog catches or IPO wins. But careful question often get honest answers.

http://nationx.boardhost.com/viewforum.php?id=1
I can't figure these jokers out? They do seem to hate each other, but they don't breed or post as much as the Vard. Slightly less likely to eat your face off, but a lot of cross over from the Vard. Use with caution.

http://bigbulldogforum.proboards.com/index.cgi
I think this board may have gone dead. But if they are active they were not killers.
 
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/standardamericanbulldogs
Maybe Midgie can offer some more.

i got my male dog from a breeder who is no longer around. and the female, they dont show or do anything with her.  they just breed.  i want to break the cycle and start having working dogs. and for the male, he was in a fire and burned, so he cant do nothing and the female was hit by my neighbor while i was out.  so the parents are not good for working, only pets.  so i got one boy in fly ball and the other boy i want to do something with him other then fly ball.  and i really dont like weight pulling that much. 

i been asking around bulldog owners and breeders but no one is getting back to me or they just say f....off.  and plus where i live i live in a very small town and not very close to any shows to attend. or i find out too late.

Where are you located? Maybe someone wil know of something or someone that is worth talking to. Or just go hang out with other dog lovers and not worry as much about which breed they have. There is still a lot you can learn.
You can PM me if you like. I'd be happy to talk in detail about some things i refrain from mentioning on public boards.
Fry

Thank you fry.  i will private message you soon about showing.   I'm located in east liverpool ohio. i'm on the boarder of wv and pa.  about 30 miles from youngstown ohio and 30miles from pittsburgh pa.  i love the american bulldog breed so much that i really want to give it my all and i know not everyone succeds.  but i want to give it one heck of a try.