9-12mo class seiger show..what is required?? - Page 1

I am a novice and wonder what is required for the pup/handler in the 9-12 month class....just the stand and a walk or??...Can any explain in detail? I am grateful for any help...Thank You!!!...still learning.... Dan

Dan, Are you handling your pup yourself? I would suggest a handler. There is much more to it than it looks like. Where do you live? Maybe you could find a handler in your area to help you out.

GSD4dogs is right, you will need a handler if you want your puppy to get a place that he deserves. At 9-12 month the judge will check your pup’s teeth and testicles (if applicable:) ) along with structure and movement. Not only the puppy should walk or stand, but also he needs to walk and stand so that the best is shown, and some flaws made not too obvious if possible. Handling is an art of its sort, you can’t get a good place with your puppy if you just walk and stand, especially at the Sieger show, where competition is great. You got to know at what angle to hold the leash, and when to change this angle or your pace, depending on the way your dog moves, etc. And to stack your puppy well requires experience too. Just let me give you an example. My friend, a novice, was showing her puppy on her own. There were about 20 puppies in her class. Initially, judge placed her #4, but, due to poor handling, and absence of double-handler, her puppy ended up to be #12! Of course, if you don’t care about what place your puppy gets and just want to have fun, that’s ok. But in reality, almost anyone would be upset anyway. So the next time, I handled her pup for her, and taught her how to double-handle, and her puppy came 1st out of 15-17 puppies!! Also, unlike at 4-6 month, at 9-12 month show-training is very important too. Your dog needs to know what to expect and what to look for, and not just be overwhelmed with other dogs and jump from side to side. And, at 9-12 month showing may be physically demanding for some, so your handler got to be in a good condition too :) So yes, try to find a handler in your area who will work with your puppy, and hopefully, teach you too. If you have a hard time doing so, or any questions, feel free to contact me. Julia went2dogs@hotmail.com

I do not agree with everything that has been said. In a way,yes, the professional handler is the way to go, but at some point, that professional handler had to learn what he/she already knows. If you never handle your own dog, how will you ever learn? What happens when all these so called professional retire and no one has bothered to learn for themselves?

I cannot disagree with gsdpal2, but to go to the Sieger show for the first time in order to learn how to handle your dog is little bit extreme, I think. Lets see. Of course I wasn’t born as a professional handler. As perhaps many people, I got a puppy some number of years ago, and when she was about 1 year old, I went to show her at the local show. I thought – hmm… my dog comes from such awesome bloodlines, she will do well! And guess what? To my disbelief and total disappointment, she got “G”!! After that, I got into a class to train for show (in Europe, its usually done in groups rather than on individual basis). It wasn’t just running in circles, but we had an instructor who would tell us what we do wrong, and what we do right, and what each individual dog needs. I went there several times a week for several months, and THEN I started to show my dog again, got more and more successful, gained experience, went to judge classes as well, and in about a 1.5 – 2 years could call myself a handler. My point is – if there is a desire and passion for this kind of thing – yes, people should learn as much as they can to become handlers for themselves and for their friends. But to go to the Sieger show to learn how to handle is not the best idea, IMO, because those who handle at the Sieger probably will not be able to explain all the details even if they try. My point is - you need to get together with someone experienced who will teach you in order to learn, not to just go to shows (which is great after you have at least some little knowlege and can see other's mistakes or good performance, and practice for yourself).

Excellent insight and I thank you for it....I plan to allow a handler show my VA Hill female in the 9-12 mo puppy class AT THE 2005 Seiger Show in Carson City as I feel I will be doing her an injustice if I don't plus I get the added benefit of seeing all that goes on for real instead of a simulated setting. I will videotape if allowed and review several times and go to the shows I can that will have these classes and familiarize myself all I can as I truly want to give my puppy her best chance and do not want to limit her. I will learn soon enough and then get the excitement of a first show all over again by showing for my firt time but only after I get more educated/experienced as I am with everyone's help...Thank You again. Sincerely, Dan THANK YOU!......