I've posted in the training section but not sure if this was the right section.

Lucy is 16 weeks old and we are attending our first ringcraft class tomorrow evening. This is the first time I have attended a class other than puppy training and I'm not sure what to expect. We are attending the Trentbridge class in Notts. Does anyone have experience of this class and can give me some info please?

I am excited at trying something new but a bit nervous too

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Maisie Labrador bn 28/07/09
Lucy Welsh Springer bn 01/08/11
Willow ESS 18/08/06-25/06/11 RIP baby xx

Is it this one?

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I reckon you'll have a good time and meet friendly people who know what they are doing and want to help you.

Basically the classes are to get your puppy used to being with lots of other people and dogs and pay attention to you, to practice what you do at shows like how to get your dog to stand to be looked over and handled by a stranger (which at a show will be a judge). You'll also learn what to do and what not to do grooming wise and it's likely that if you want to go to a show that caters for different breeds someone else from your club that you know will also be going.

I would think they'll probably have some entry forms for shows for when your puppy is 6 months old or over on the day of the show and eligible to compete under KC rules.

I'm looking forwards to going to ours. Hope you have a great night. Are you going to come back and tell me what happened?

no but good luck !

Due to a work crisis I didn't get back in time to take her. Gutted But we will definitely be going next Tuesday as I'm on a rest day.

Can I ask though what people think of showing in general when you have a pet dog. Seems like a daft question I know but I have a friend who owns 2 collies. She goes to agility and is very good at flyball, even taking part in the national championship. She really doesn't agree with showing dogs as she thinks that they are not allowed to be 'dogs' because they have to spend so much time being calm and sitting still to be judged. She is really quite negative about the whole thing to the point where we nearly fell out today. I hate anyone suggesting that I am doing something that my girls wouldn't enjoy or would be detrimental to them.

I just want to be sure I'm doing right by Lucy. For me she is my girl, a dog, first and I don't want to do anything that limits her natural instincts (she does come from a very long line of show dogs). I want her to be a daft dog first and foremost but hope that we can have the best of both worlds together and she can also enjoy the show ring.

Is this possible or am I just chasing a dream?

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Maisie Labrador bn 28/07/09
Lucy Welsh Springer bn 01/08/11
Willow ESS 18/08/06-25/06/11 RIP baby xx

I only started showing when we brought our vizsla who is now 3 years old - I didn't know what to expect from the dog showing world, but you will find most allow their dogs to be the family pet first and allow them to have lots of fun. Ruby gets muddy like any other dog and is a member of the family first - the only difference between her and the other dogs we owned in the past is she goes to shows otherwise she is treated exatly the same.

On a show morning Ruby gets hyper wanting to go to the show as she loves getting to meet new people and see the other dogs. She will normallly notice dogs she knows before us and of course they have to have a chat. I always feel showing is a form of obedience as they learn to walk and stand in a certain manner and also be well behaved allowing strangers to look over their body and their teeth. In answer to your question - No you are not chasing a dream with wanting to show your dog in fact I have found that I probably have a deeper bond with Ruby because we have learnt so much together.

My dogs love going to shows, they know the night before when I put a pan of liver on to boil and the show bag comes out, lol!

And, just to clarify - dogs dont sit still at shows - they have to stand and allow a total stranger to touch them, sometimes almost everywhere. Lots training involved just for showdogs too.

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Fere libenter hormines id quod volunt credunt

I dabbled in showing about ten years ago but had to stop due to personal reasons but my dog LOVED it. We had such a good time and I also think it made our bond even stronger as there was so much going on all the time and yet he would ignore everything(probably quite hard for him as he is a bit of a donut lol) and look me in the eyes and each time I would fall a bit more in love with him for it.

I say ignore your friend,each to their own and go for it but dont forget to keep us all updated!! Good luck x

nothing wrong with showing, as long as your dog is more important than the hobby itself

Thank you all (breathes sigh of relief ) I thought this was the case but needed some reassurance since it's not something I have done before.

My dog will always come before the competition. I like to win as much as the next person but I'm not the type to get overly so (famous last words )

Each to their own is so right. My friend thinks thinks it's unnatural and wrong for a dog to primp and preen (her words). For my part I cannot fathom how she can cope with 2 collies who are so highly strung. Constantly on the go, needing permanent entertainment/attention and not being able to walk down the road with them for fear of meeting a dog/bus/cycle

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Maisie Labrador bn 28/07/09
Lucy Welsh Springer bn 01/08/11
Willow ESS 18/08/06-25/06/11 RIP baby xx

well have fun with it, practice makes perfect so practice away from training classes. I personally loving showing, nothing quite like it - and its brilliant to share a hobby with the dogs and like minded people. - its not just about winning, I have learnt so much about dogs in general, and breeds in general just by being apart of the showing world.