Advice on what to expect at 1st ringcraft class - Updated

[louis mum]

Hepl!

Can you tell I am starting to panic. 

I didnt plan to start until at the earliest next week maybe the following, but we have been advised to get him there sooner rather than later. My OH is adamant we should take him tomorrow evening and I am petrified. 

I just dont know what to expect really, should we take his slip lead and treats Do we need anything else other than a puppy also? What will they make us do? Sorry I just like to be prepared and this feels a bit rushed. 

Thanks in advance. 

[bev6951]

ooh, I dont have any advice (useless!!) but good for you I wanted to do it with mylee but chickened out after talking to a few people, good luck, let us know how it goes 

[louis mum]

ooh, I dont have any advice (useless!!) but good for you I wanted to do it with mylee but chickened out after talking to a few people, good luck, let us know how it goes 

Awww no you shouldnt chicken out she is gorgeous.  If all goes well tomorrow for us I will be hounding you to take her. 

[cazza]

Dunbarney has gone tonight and i know she was told to take a slip lead and treats 

Hopefully she'll see this when she gets back and can let you know how she got on with Otter 

[louis mum]

Dunbarney has gone tonight and i know she was told to take a slip lead and treats 

Hopefully she'll see this when she gets back and can let you know how she got on with Otter 

I spotted her post and have added a begging letter to let us know how it went.  God I hope she enjoyed it otherwise I will be doing a runner tomorrow night. 

[*Adele*]

I took Chloe to one soon after she came to us and I'll admit I didn't enjoy that particular one, the people running the event were generally nice but the other attendees just appeared really snobby!  I tried talking to a few but they were really short and weren't interested in chatting to the newbie! Needless to say we didn't go back and I've never shown Chloe 

[louis mum]

I took Chloe to one soon after she came to us and I'll admit I didn't enjoy that particular one, the people running the event were generally nice but the other attendees just appeared really snobby!  I tried talking to a few but they were really short and weren't interested in chatting to the newbie! Needless to say we didn't go back and I've never shown Chloe 

Aww thats a shame. I do hope people dont do that to us, I couldnt treat anyone like that.

Mind you my OH is one of those that dont give a damn and would talk to them anyway  it would be me that would be mortified.

[Elmo]

I was the same and still worry every time i go . Ive been with Elmo about 5 times now although he was 10 months when we started going. I just took him in his normal collar and lead first, lots of treats and poo bags. I did have a show lead but he was so excitable i never put it on. In our class and im not sure if every one has the same format, the instructor gets a bunch of you up on the mat lined up to stand your dog, you move up the line one by one then go out infront of the judge for them to feel them all over and check there teeth, etc (on the table) then  run your dog up and down the mat twice then back to the end of the line.

We usually get about 3 shotties at this with 3 different mock judges.

[louis mum]

I was the same and still worry every time i go . Ive been with Elmo about 5 times now although he was 10 months when we started going. I just took him in his normal collar and lead first, lots of treats and poo bags. I did have a show lead but he was so excitable i never put it on. In our class and im not sure if every one has the same format, the instructor gets a bunch of you up on the mat lined up to stand your dog, you move up the line one by one then go out infront of the judge for them to feel them all over and check there teeth, etc (on the table) then  run your dog up and down the mat twice then back to the end of the line.

We usually get about 3 shotties at this with 3 different mock judges.

Thanks for that.  Didnt have poo bags on my list. 

Oh blimey, I put my fingers in his mouth and he squirms everywhere.  and thats with doggy toothpaste on. We have been doing this for a while with him too. 

Are they allowed to socialise with the other dogs?

[Elmo]

Elmo poo'd the 2nd week there....when you gotta go you gotta go i guess

The just lift there lips and look at there teeth to check their bite not actually inside there mouths  Dont worry i bet most wriggle about the first few times...Elmo did.

In our class most of the dogs just sleep or lie and relax in between there turns, Elmo tries to instigate a hooley but he is getting better at staying still and not launching himself at other dogs. They dont really get to interact with each other as such although some of the younger ones have a wee paw fight if they are sat together

[louis mum]

Brill, thankyou. 

I get the feeling Alfie will be one of the ones paw fighting. 

And shame on Elmo  I will be praying Alfie doesnt poo.  Mind you thats why I am taking OH. 

[Cazzie]

You read how I got on  I really enjoyed it  I think if you ask for everyones help youll get it. I found everyone very helpful. Im not in it to win it, im in it to learn from others and enjoy the atmosphere and learn about the other side of my breed  Go and have fun, Im dure you will 

[louis mum]

You read how I got on  I really enjoyed it  I think if you ask for everyones help youll get it. I found everyone very helpful. Im not in it to win it, im in it to learn from others and enjoy the atmosphere and learn about the other side of my breed  Go and have fun, Im dure you will 

Same reasons as me too really. Apparently most people at this class are great, OH has just spoken to his friend who takes her Akitas there so fingers crossed. 

[ludo]

oooh Lois mum - let us know how you get on  - I have just found a class about an hours drive from where I live - they meet once a month the next one is on the 24th so I'm going to give it a go  The lady in charge sounds lovely - I can't see Dax lying down relaxing between turns  he will defo want to play with every dog and every person in sight  and as for the show lead - well lets just say the walking will be a challenge 

[louis mum]

Just got back from ringcraft. 

Well Alfie felt it was required to introduce himself to do a poo on the mat.  And they dont call it numbers 2's for nothing...... cos he did it twice. 

We really enjoyed it.  Alfie made friends with a rather stocky English Bull which he thought would make a great play mate whilst waiting our turn. 

The lady who runs kept looking over at us and told us he was lovely.  But I knew that already. 

Alfie seemed to select the largest dogs to bark at though, like Akitas and boxers.  The boxers were not very friendly atall, everyone was watching themselves around them which surprised me cos I thought they were friendly dogs. 

Anyway Alfie walked really well on the mat and chewed the man who was teaching us how to stand him. 

The junior handlers were brilliant.  Alittle girl came over to us, introduced herself and handled her 13 week old boxer brilliantly and I am stood there like a plonker saying I am a newby. 

All in all it was great fun and we cant wait till next week. 

Ludo, you will love it. Just have fun and dont expect too much of your little man and you will have a great time. 

I am so proud of my little man.