Payson's Second Show--Second Day

We arrived at the show ground very early to allow Payson plenty of time to blow off steam. We soon discovered, however, that our ring and ring time were changed. We were supposed to be in Ring #8 at 11:30, but were diverted to Ring #12 at approximately 2:00. Our judge for #8 had apparently taken ill so they had to shuffle us around. Kasey was asked yesterday by another dog owner if she would show his dog (that had tried to bite the judge on Saturday) and she agreed to work with her. I said I could try to show Payson myself, so that's what we did. When I saw the judge, I almost panicked. He was a very tall and large man, and he was wearing a baseball cap. I thought if there's ever a time Payson would flip out, this would be it. I took him into the ring and did our stuff--he was a little nervous on the table, but did very well. I have to credit the judge as well--he was very nice and gentle with Payson. We took first in his class (since he was the only one) but came in last of the three dogs, so he did not get to go in for Best of Breed. The good thing is--now I know it can be done, and I know I can do it...it doesn't have to be Kasey or someone with a stronger hand to keep him in check. I'll be completely on my own next weekend. It was good for me to know that he will respond to me. There was also a very nice lady there named Gail. She was SO ecstatic for me that Payson didn't come apart on the table. She is new to showing herself, and had gone to last weekend's show just to observe and this weekend was her fisrt show. Her little bitch did very well. She confessed that she saw Payson last weekend (both days) and said that he had come a long way. She said it broke her heart to see how terrified he looked last weekend, but that she was so excited for our success this weekend. I thought that was very nice. I also have come to realize after talking to a lot of people that what Payson did last weekend was not the worst that could have happened. In fact, today the little bitch that Kasey showed for that man panicked in the ring, wiggled right out of her lead and took off. She was recovered a couple of minutes later, but I think I would have DIED right there if that had happened on my first outing with Payson. Everything turned out all right, and that little girl just needs some work. All our work last week must have paid off somewhat, and I know I can't back off on that. I will be taking Payson out at least a few times this week to help keep him in line. I am so relieved that this dog might be just fine after all--even with a dork like me handling him! The good thing is that he is worn out...he's been sleeping pretty much since we got home!

Payson's Second Show-First Day

After last week's debacle, I took Payson to PestMart, Petco, the Harley store...anywhere I could get strangers to put their hands on him. I think it may have paid off. We drove up to Chino on Friday evening for a bright and early show time on Saturday 4/29. We blew off steam for about an hour and when the moment of truth came, Kasey said he was "perfect...that he didn't move a muscle." Thank goodness! I don't have to strangle my dog! He took "winners reserve"--he was beaten by another dog that went on to best of breed competition. But he got a "legitimate" ribbon this week and he stood up for the judge and didn't turn into the mutant furry contortionist I saw last weekend. Baby steps. There's still work to do, but at least we get to keep trying. Our show time on Sunday is at about 11:30, so will post those results soon.

Payson's First Show

Payson's first dog show was Angeles Canyon Dog Club on April 22 and April 23, 2006. On Saturday, I showed him. We went into the ring where everything seemed fine, even when I put him up onto the table for examination. When the judge approached, however, he became completely unhinged. No amount of cajoling or comforting would make him calm down, so we were excused from competition. This act to my feeling was one step short of biting a judge. On Sunday, my breeder, Kasey showed him for me. I had assumed that Saturday's problems were related to either me, or the fact that the judge was a man. When Kasey took him into the ring, he did fine. When he was placed upon the table, however, he had a repeat performance despite the fact that the judge was female. This judge took several minutes to allow Kasey to try to get him to calm down but to no avail. She awarded him a ribbon anyway (he was the only dog in the class) but excused him from competing in Best of Breed. On Saturday I was very deflated and dejected wondering what I had done wrong. To be quite honest, it was a bit of a lift to see him pull the same act with a different handler and a different judge. Not that I wanted it to happen, but at least I could know it wasn't me. Saturday I felt like there was nothing that could have been worse (aside from actually biting the judge). I have now come to realize that this is an animal, and animals are unpredictable, no matter how much you think you've trained. We have been attending conformation classes for months now, and the only indication I have had of a potential meltdown was that he was a little bit shy of the male instructor. He has since come to accept him, and I had mistakenly come to believe that he had overcome all hangups about "strangers." The reality is that all he did was make friends with this stranger. I have also since decided that there are many things that could have happened that could have been worse. I could have tripped over my dog and fallen in the ring. I could have gone in there with my skirt tucked into my pantyhose. Talk about mortifying. I could have left home and forgotten to actually pack the dog in the car. His collar could have broken allowing him to bolt and run for safety. He could have bitten a judge. That probably would have disqualified us from competition on a "forever" basis. This experience so far has been for learning, leading up to bigger and better things. Next weekend's show has 11 entries on Saturday and 9 on Sunday. That is much bigger than any I have seen so far. I have 5 days to get this animal to be NOT afraid of other people touching him. I have my challenges ahead of me, but hopefully he will be reasonable enough to overcome his phobia. I'll keep you all posted as he progresses (or backslides)!