Obedience Trials and Show Handling

[oc_spirit]

Ok I'm gonna do it!! Well...maybe...depends if my dad has off from work or not...But anyway I'm most likely going to be entering OC in an Altered Conformation Show...After years of saying it's not for me (cause to do it seriously...it's not) I was reading the Siberian Husky Club of Canada monthly newsletter and noticed they have a big show coming up in September and they have Obedience Trials so I was like "Dude I'm so entering that!!!" (it's gonna be my first official obedience trial that will actually count for something) but then as I read down the list of events I noticed there's also the Conformation Altered Class and Agility Trials and I figured, hey, if i'm already gonna be there...why not....right? Although I doubt I'm gonna do the agility (depends how training goes...he'll have to pick it up over the summer - not gonna happen...)

However, I have some questions. What all must you preform during an official obedience trial? I mean I've done small show fun stuff which was actually exactly like Rally-O. Is that what it's like? Do you have the cones on the ground telling you what to do? Or is it a sequence you have to memorize? Are collar and lead allowed? Do you use just a regular show lead and collar? Or is it all off lead? Are you allowed to bring treats into the ring? OC is off lead and no treat trained...but I dunno if I'd be able to hold his attention for the entire duration of a trial (he is a Sibe after all, he does get distracted and bored easily).

With the conformation show, how do you stack a Sibe properly? I've done Golden Retrievers but that's a different breed completly. Is there anything I should keep in mind for when in the ring? What's the average distance I should maintain between dogs? I'm going out to get a new show lead and collar tonight. Hmmmmm that's all I can think of now, I'm sure I'll have more questions later though.

Any other tips would be awesome!!!

Cheers!

[oc_spirit]

Does this look good for a stack?

[Rip's Girl]

What level of obedience is this trial? Does it specify anything?
Generally you have your judge in the traditional OB ring, who will give you instructions (Heel forward, right turn, about face, down your dog, leave your dog, call your dog, etc.) It is very formal, not much like Rally at all. For some of the lower levels of obedience leashes and collars are allowed, as you get past open (I believe?) obedience, more exercises are performed off-lead.

As for stacking, is free stacking allowed? That's the easiest way, usually.. I know my dog does TERRIBLY when I stack him, he looks horrible and doesn't enjoy it. But when I free-stack him, he's relaxed and confident.

I'd take some looks at pictures of sibes stacked in shows and see how their feet are placed, how far forward their front legs are, etc.

[doberkim]

if you are considering entering the obedience, i would suggest preparing for competition obedience by taking a class geared at such and looking at the CKC website for what is involved in novice.

[poodlesmom]

We have competed in AKC obedience which I'm going to assume is very similar to CKC obedience trials.

You & OC will be called into the ring. He will need to be on a flat collar & on lead. They will have you do a heeling pattern on lead with right turns, left turns, about turns, stops, slow speed, fast speed & normal speed. You will also have to do a figure 8 pattern normally with the ring stewards being the posts. Hint - altho the judge will tell you that you can go in either direction it is easier for the dog if you start out going to the left. When you go around the opposite post you keep walking at a consistent speed but OC will need to speed up to keep up with you. You will also do the same heeling pattern off-lead - don't worry you don't need to remember it as the judge will call out all changes to you. OC will also need to do a stand for examination. There will also be a recall. When everyone in the group has completed their individual testing there will then be a group sit/stay followed by a down/stay.

Good luck - I'm sure OC will make you proud!

[GreenleafGreyhound]

Warning: I'm a complete newbie!

From the angle of the camera, OC's hiney is huge! LOL. Her (him or her?) topline is off, from the looks of it. Her back is curved and I'm positive that a non-straight topline is a fault.

The back is straight and strong, with a level topline from withers to croup. It is of medium length, neither cobby nor slack from excessive length. The loin is taut and lean, narrower than the rib cage, and with a slight tuck-up. The croup slopes away from the spine at an angle, but never so steeply as to restrict the rearward thrust of the hind legs.

Wow, I'm horrible at interpreting standards. It took me forever to learn the simple anatomy of a Peke and how the standard relates to it, but basically I think the overall picture of a Sibe should be powerful, keen, and not exaggerated by cobbiness or elongated body parts.

I also think the position of her head and neck should be reconsidered. The neck should be arched and erect, but from the angle of the picture, it looks outstretched. Her tail is held a little too high up. It should be placed just below or on her topline. Maybe you can use a little grooming technique to fix that. That's all I can think of. I just skimmed through the standard, but you can read it in depth later. I'd also skim through some breeder pictures and see if you can get an idea of the ideal stacked Sibe. Hope this helps...

[oc_spirit]

Wow I'm gonna have to do a lot of work with OC over this summer....Just talked to my breeder and treats are deffinately not allowed in the OB ring but she taught me a lil trick that should help a LOT.

Rip, what's a free stack? I've only been taught that you get the dog standing, then place the paws exactly where you want....

DoberKim, ya I'm thinking of taking a class I just can't really find anything within driving distance that I like. The place I went for puppy kindergarten was great for that, but I sat in on their more advanced classes and I was highly displeased.

PoodlesMum, hmmm that doesn't sound too life threatening LOL I have to call up the organizer, they never specified what level of obedience the classes are going to be, they just said "obedience trials".

GreenLeaf, ya It's a terrible angle shot, my mum took it and I knew it was from behind but she insisted it was dead to the side, when the pics got developed, I couldn't help but say "I told you so" LOL Also this pic was taken a lil over a year ago when he was 1year old, so he has developed a little more. Namely, he isn't in that awkward phase where his hind legs are longer than his front legs, but I don't have any pics of him stacked. Actually that's a lie, I have one from the summer but my brother took it and he didn't crouch down when he took it o it's like 1/2 birds eye view, 1/2 side view...i dunno it's wierd.

I didn't have any lead on him when the pic was taken though it does look like I'm holding something in my left hand. When he gets the slip collar on, his neck does usually curl nicely...unless he's super tired, then he's just like ya, w/e just be happy i'm holding my head up LOL

BTW OC's a male

Thanks for the help guys!! I'm gonna be working hard with him for this show and my breeder is gonna try and get us into a couple altered classes before then so we can get some practice but altered classes aren't too common at all so we'll see what happens...

Cheers!

[DarknessDivine]

good luck w/whatever happens ...

[Carrie]

Good luck! I think that's wonderful that you're getting involved with this. It's a great experience for you and you'll learn a lot. Don't expect great things the first time or two. Consider this a practice/learning show. But if you keep at it, like anything else, the sky is the limit. Congrats on your decision to try this. Let us know how it goes.

[Carrie]

P.S. I think OC is gorgeous!

[oc_spirit]

Darkness, thanks, encourangement is always greatly appreciated, btw i love the boxer in your avatar, so cute!

Carrie, ya I'm just gonna go looking for a personal best. If OC stays focused one me and we have a good run I'll be happy. Heck even if we royaly mess up and get the crowd laughing I don't care because at least we'll be entertaining to watch, right? LOL

I gotta say, I'm impressed with how fast he's picking up on the stacking thing...he's practically teaching me! Although, that's assuming we're doing it right....it looks good...LOL

And thanks for the compliment

[Rip's Girl]

Ren, a free stack is just when you allow the dog to position himself, and don't manipulate the feet into any specific position. I'm trying to work on teaching Dakota to free stack, but he has a habit of sticking his feet out to one side that is frustrating to work with.
I honestly don't know why I'm training him for conformation as it's already been determined that without the use of a professional handler he would most likely not finish his championship with the asymmetrical facial markings. (They distort the appearance of his lovely head) But anyway I'm just trying to teach him to stand on cue, just like we would in obedience, but to straighten himself out and point his feet in the right direction.

Good luck! It sounds like a lot of fun.

[GreenleafGreyhound]

If you're really into showing, I highly recommend you find yourself a reputable handler or breeder specializing in Sibes and ask them to tutor you. Here's a greyt tool to use for free stacking: Happy Legs It's pricy, but it's a valuable tool for serious hobbyists or breeders.

[doberkim]

in terms of stacking --- the main thing to be concerned about IMO is how his feet are under him --- if they are standing in a flattering manner, a well structured dog will be almost fine just doing that, while standing incorrectly (ie in your pic OC has his front legs too far forward and not nearly enough under him), brings out flaws.

in terms of obedience, no you cant bring food in the ring, and you cannot talk to the dog beyond giving commands at the start of an exercise (if you give second commands, you get points off). what trick did your breeder tell you? i would really strongly suggest a class, and at least a few run throughs and show n' gos. i dont think a novice handler can be prepared for the ring 99% of the time without this. hell ive taken years of class, done run throughs galore and have some ring time and its still stressful and we still aren't ready yet (clearly after our last performance). a good trainer is worth a drive (i drove pretty far for a lot of things) and will pay off in the end.