Lewiston Auburn Kennel Club - MATCH!

I've just had the most amazing day - actually it's been an amazing weekend in many aspects.  I'm waiting for John to come home from Brownfield where the Maine Bird Dog Club hosted a Championship.  Yesterday I spent most of the day there with him and catching up with our friends Frank and Donna Pride.  Also met some more field trialers and their long tailed pointing dogs.  I say this with great affection, we have several friends who own Setters and Pointers and they are a very stylish hunting dog.  Anyway, can't wait to tell John all about how well True did at his first match.

A "match" is basically an informal dog show.  It is official in many of the same ways as a large sanctioned all breed show but without all the rules, regulations, bells and whistles.  Pups as young as 12 weeks can be entered.  FUN, very, very fun is a good way to describe it.  The Lewiston Auburn Kennel Club of Maine hosted todays match in Brunswick.

True has been with Pam and Sam since the last handling class at Forward Finish on Wednesday.  In the meantime he had his first complete 'show groom'.   Between Pam and I, we'd both been introducing him at a relaxed pace to all the things a show dog must take for granted such as standing still on a grooming table, the sound and use of electric clippers, a nail grinder, various grooming tools, frequent baths, and a lot of unusual sights and sounds. All of these things become routine eventually for a dog that is shown.  But in the beginning it's easy to forget they are not a normal part of day to day life so it's important to consistently expose the dog to all this and more.  Pam wanted to groom him for this match and for his first 'real' show coming up later this week.  When I saw him after several days - I was so happy with the way he looked! 

I had to enjoy True from afar, at least until he'd been in the ring.  Pam had his 'head' in the right place and needed to keep it there mentally.  His body is mature but his mind? Not so much!  So her mom and I enjoyed each other's company while we waited and soon Pam's son and friend joined us too.  My feeling is that it's very important for some dogs and their handlers to be totally into each other before entering the ring, and this is the case with True and Pam.

Handling classes had prepared us well for many unexpected experiences at a show.  Raincoats, big hats, judges using walkers, applause, etc.  It's a good thing!  Today it was so breezy out that everything was moving in the wind and/or making noises.  Instead of ring gates yellow caution tape outlined the conformation ring and blew profusely making a lot of noise.  Judge Nancy had a long flowing skirt on which seemed to fascinate True upon every approach!  The flag blowing in the breeze, traffic going by, people walking their dogs - all of these things could have spooked a young pup.  True was not phased - with the exception of the above photo.

Judge Nancy was going down the line to look over the dogs one more time.  Just about the time she approached True, a German Shepherd Dog trotting by in the other ring caught his eye. You can see in the picture the expression on the GSD face, and True's must have been equally as expressive.  I don't think Pam knew what was going on the background but she quickly regained his undivided attention by baiting him (using treats).

The weather was gorgeous!  Couldn't have asked for better weather.  Breezy but very sunny the LAKC put on a great event. Rally and Obedience were going on in the other rings. 

Well we took home four ribbons from Trues special day including First Place in his class (6 - 9 months) and 4th place in his Group.  He already has a Winners Dog from handling classes!  What this all amounts to is very specific and precise experiences that lay a foundation for more serious work in the future.  I like that Pam has a calm demeanor and keeps True at a low energy level most of the time in the ring.  Dogs easily pick up on their handlers nervousness and it makes them nervous.  Penny says there are 3 levels of praise to use and a very important key is to be aware of 'when' to use what.  All dogs are different but Pam very definitely knew today where to keep True.  I often watch other seasoned handlers as they fly in and out of the ring and I wonder if they have to think through each step to the extent I do.  They make it look effortless.  And today so did Pam but when everything was said and done, it was clear she worked her heart out just as if she'd spent the morning at the gym. 

I'm looking forward to seeing how well we all continue to do in both field and show events.  I also look forward to seeing how Paris ( Pam and Sams beautiful Brittany girl) does in the coming weeks.  She will be with the owner of her sire and hitting the show circuit full speed ahead. 

There's a lot more to share but John is home and we have a lot of catching up to do about the weekend. Fact of the matter is, we kind of sort of miss each other when one of us goes one way and the other either stays home or goes in another direction! No, fact is we do miss each other - a lot!

Take care and God bless, John, Ann and All things Brittany