First time working line conformation show - Page 1

Hey guys, I'm going to try to show both my pup (who is almost 20 weeks) and my young adult (18 months) at a conformation show offered at a trial. I'm pretty excited, except I've never done it before and have no idea what I'm doing or getting myself into. I've been practicing stacking them, and that's great, but the ring is the issue. I know I will have to double handle with the young adult, as she is used to walking next to me, not pulling me on a leash. And she gets SUPER excited when I'm doing the running, so I'm trying to find ways to calm her down. She's got an excellent temperament and nerves, but she just wants to jump and play with everyone. Any tips? And these are our first stack attemps, I know there's a long way to go, and they don't look that great. Any advice is appreciated. 

You will want to use a handler for both dogs.  It's very rare that someone handles their own dog, unless you have a spouse doing the double handling.  The judges don't really like it unless your dog is very ring savvy.  If they are crazy, what you do is hide out of sight and then call your dog's name from out of sight.  This tends to bring their head up so they carry themselves better, but avoids the dog clawing at the ground and barking.  Some shows setup blinds in two corners for hiding double handlers, otherwise just crouch down behind spectators. If you can't meet up with your handler beforehand, usually you can practice in the ring before the show or during lunch.

You don't need to perfect the stack because the handler will stack the dog.  In the SV type shows, the dogs don't freestack so the dogs don't have to be trained to walk into a stack.  You just want them OK with someone else touching them, placing them, showing the bite/teeth.

The 18 month old will have to be OK with gun fire.

What venue are you showing them in??  Some are far more casual and forgiving of the antics of juveniles!  I show in International and UKC conformation myself, I find it fun and lots of nice people will be there to help you if you need it. Both look nice, I love the sable longcoat!  VERY pretty.

True I just assumed an SV type show b/c a "trial" was mentioned.  I also show in UKC and if so, then yes you can and should handle your own dogs (no pro handling allowed and it's a very novice-friendly venue).  If it's an SV type show then my previous post applies.

Re the 'owner-stack', for the purposes of these photos and as 
practice for if you ARE doing your own Handling at any show,
Khaleesi,  you might find the following pointers helpful:

Taking it from the point of view of the photographer, it is better if you
can take the picture lower down, on a level with the dog;  your efforts
are better than many I have seen in this regard but especially in the
top picture, of the puppy, the angle could still be improved.
If you then get behind the camera yourself, you can also get a
better impression of the dogs stance.  I know judges don't normally
squat down, but if the dog gets stood right, it will pay off in what the
judge sees.

Again, on Pic 1, he's been stood over too much ground;  that stretches
him out longer than is balanced.  He also has his back legs too far
apart, making him look 'hocky'; and you need to get the flat of the back
hock up a bit so it looks less like he's standing with his leg along the
ground.  [Again, I've seen worse examples than yours.]  This is maybe
excusable in one so young  while his joints are still developing, but try
for improvement.

Not sure you can do much about the very wavy coat on your older girl;
she is certainly standing better for these pictures, but that does detract
from her topline.  If anything the reverse is true about the stance in these
two pics, you could afford to stretch her out A LITTLE BIT more.  Can you
see what I'm getting at by comparing the photos of the two dogs ?

Second (middle) pic: same applies about the placement of the back leg.
She obviously CAN stand properly on it, as evidenced in the third picture.

So much easier to be there and SHOW people how to stand a dog - but I
hope you can follow my descriptions !

Otherwise, two comments:  they are both quite nice looking pups, good
coat depth and pigment, v. good heads & ear-sets, as far as I can tell from
your photos.  And, you do need to do as much as possible to train them
to accept handling, to stand still and move smoothly, to be able to show the
judge their teeth.  Practise, practise, practise, and don't forget to reward them
whenever they get it right !  Good luck.

Thanks guys! Yes it's an SV show, it'll be the first show for both of them. The 18 month old is good with gunfire. I'm currently trying to secure a handler who has shown my friend's dogs in the ring. Both are good with being messed with. Just hard to practice double handling haha. The older female I think I'll have to hide from and call, but the pup I think she can see and chase me and will be good. We'll see. I want to get the pup in early since it is our first time. Thanks for all the advice! I'm going to try to not stretch Leika out as much and stretch Tala out a little more. It's hard from my point since I was stacking. 

If the stacking is important to you, you can get a cheap door mirror for like $15 and mount it about 2.5' off the ground horizontally in your basement or garage or something.  Then you can see what you're doing.