HOW I SHOW MY YORKIES 

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In this article what I hope to accomplish is, to help the "new" Yorkie show person who wants to show their own dog get ready for the ring. 
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Although it was a long time ago, (and I won't tell you how long because then I'd be telling my age <grin>), I don't think I'll ever forget my first experience or the long time it took me to be really ring ready. 
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I didn't know anyone and, I didn't have anywhere to turn for help. I just got in there and showed and learned by trial and error. At first I went in there with the attitude that I had the greatest dog in the world and should win every show I went in. I saw other people do it and they didn't have any trouble winning and my dog was prettier. 
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Well you can imagine the awakening I got. I didn't start winning for about a year and a half and with a different dog. I'm writing this to help someone (maybe you) to avoid some of the pitfalls that have either happened to me or that I've learned about. 
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It's very nice to start off with a "beaut" of a dog, but if you're not that lucky don't let it stop you from showing as long as you have a descent dog. It takes a while to master this ring thing, and you need the experience. 
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The first thing is don't be nervous. Judges don't bite. A.K.C. won't let them. Besides if you are nervous, you cannot do a good job showing your dog. Remember, he's the one that put up with all the discomfort of being primped for his debut and it's not fair to him. The best way to avoid being nervous is to be prepared early. Don't let anything go till the last minute and wind up being rushed. This causes anxiety for you and your dog. 
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I usually start getting ready 3 or 4 days before the show. I plan what I'm going to take to the show and start piling it all up by the front door. Get out the grooming table, chair and doggy stand. The bag with all my electrical cords, hair dryer, flat iron, self rinse (no rinse cleanser), paper towels (for pittle pads and cleanups), a spray bottle filled with water, wraps and bands (for after the show), and a couple of towels in it. 
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Next I check my grooming box to make sure I have everything I will need in it, then to the front door it goes. Make sure you have all your brushes, combs, leads, hair bands and ribbon for the topknot, scissors, and whatever sprays you use for grooming. 
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You might also think about bringing a small show cage and newspaper with you. This way you won't have to take your pup outside to pittle where he might get dirty. And of course the most important thing to start thinking about, "what to wear". 
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I usually wear either a suit if it's a big show, or a skirt and blouse if it's a small show. A dress is also fine. If it's outdoors and cold, I wear pants and long underwear (I'm the freezie type). If it's outdoors and hot a nice pair of dress slacks and blouse is ok as long as it's not a big show. 
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I don't like long skirts, even mid calf as it hides the dog from the judge. Also if you were your dog, would you like your Mommy's skirt flying in your face when you're trying to show your best for her? 
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For shoes, slip ins or keds are acceptable. I never wear heels or boots. I once saw a woman in the ring with the full cowboy look with high heel boots. I just don't think this is acceptable attire in the ring. Also, I leave the "jangly" jewelry at home.It's distracting. 
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Men, it's suits and tie's for you. At small outdoor shows you could get away with slacks, button down shirt and no tie. A sports coat would be nice. 
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Three days before the show, I start getting my dog ready. I usually bathe him and if he's in oil wash it all out. I do leave a little extra conditioner in. I cut his toenails, clip his ears and private place, trim his feet and coat if needed, and clean ears and teeth. The night before the show I give him another sudsing and loosely wrap him in large sections. I also load up the van the night before. I don't like getting sweaty before I even leave the house. 
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I also do all my cutting and clipping at home. I don't think the grooming area is the place to do major grooming and it is discourteous to your neighbors in the grooming area to have hunks of hair floating all around. It is also discourteous to the owners of the show site to make a mess of their building that they so generously allowed us to rent. Also if your dog poops or pee's, clean it up. A lot of buildings won't rent to us because of the mess. 
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I always allow myself a half hour more than I think I need to get ready in the morning. I'm a slow starter and something always seems to come up to make me late leaving. By giving myself that extra half hour, I don't have to rush and can take my time getting ready. If you're fast on your feet, forget this part. 
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I like to arrive at the show site at least 
2 hrs before ring time. You can't always find a place to set up and sometimes it takes about a half hour just to find a place and get unloaded and set up. If it's especially crowded, go to the show chairperson and ask their help in finding you a spot. 
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First I set up my show cage, apply pittle pads, and let my little darlings take care of business. While that's going on I set up my table and take out everything I'll need for grooming. 
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This is the fun part for me. I love turning my little ugly ducklings into beautiful swans. I guess it's like Cinderella going to the ball and I'm the fairy godmother. 
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First, all the wraps come out. Then a through brushing to get all the tangles out. The secret to getting rid of wrap crinkles is to take one section of coat at a time and wet that section down thoroughly with my water spray bottle, and while using my blow dryer, brushing each section until it's dry. Do the whole coat like this. You can also clean the pittle area at this time. 
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Then I use my flat iron and go over every bit of coat till all the hair is straight as a board and has no crinkles. I use the self rinse on the eye area and then blow it dry. Use the low setting on the face. 
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Then comes the really fun part, the topknot. Sometimes mine go up the first time, and other times it takes me two or three tries. Also talking to everybody who stops by your table takes up time too. I'm the worlds champion talker. And if you're late, you'll also miss out on all the "fun and games" that go on in the grooming area. 
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Usually by this time, I'm so worn out that I'm practically falling asleep. But if you're not, and are still nervous, this is the time to take those deep breaths and keep saying to yourself "I will survive". And, I promise you, when you come out of the ring you'll wonder why you were ever nervous in the first place. 
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Finally we get to the ring. (I told you I talk a lot).  Always get there about 20 to 30 minutes early.  All judges are different. Some want the dog facing east on the ring table and some west. I've even showed under a north and a south judge. By getting there early you can check out the judges' habits and will know what he will expect of you in the ring. Also you get to talk some more. 
(hee, hee). 
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If your breed is first in the ring, watch the pup in front of yours. Try not to be first in the ring, but if you have no alternative, listen carefully to the judges instructions. He will usually tell the first one in what he wants them to do. He expects everyone who follows to be watching and do the same thing. 
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For the new kid on the block your best friend, if you don't have one handy, is the ring steward/ess. For now we are going to pretend it's a she. Most of them are, she's I mean. You have to pick your number up from her. Tell her that you are new and you don't know when to go in the ring. Always make sure you are finished showing before you leave ring side. If you aren't sure, ask your friend the stewardess. 
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Remember your number and go in when she calls it, just in case she forgets. When you enter the ring go to her and ask where you are to set up your dog if you are the first one in. If you are not, then just play follow the leader and go where everyone else is going. 
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This is the only time I clam up. Well, sometimes I slip, but I TRY not to. 
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All your attention should be focused on the judge and your dog. Some people carry their dogs in the ring, but I walk mine in. It not only looks better, this is the correct way to enter the ring. 
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Immediately, drop to your knees, quickly stack your dog, and give him a quick brush if he needs it. You will spend more time on your knees in the ring than you do in church. I once went to a specialty and came out of the ring with torn stockings and blisters. You better believe that if I EVER decide to show under this judge again, I'm going out and buy me a pair of knee pads. 
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Be ready when the judge comes down the line to get his first viewing of the dogs in the ring.  It's important to make a good first impression. 
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The judge will then ask everyone to take the dogs around the ring and put the first one on the table. Another reason why not to be first. You don't get a whole lot of time to get your pup stacked and looking his best. And also another reason why not to be nervous. If you're nervous your movements in the ring are going to be jerky. You should be fluid, and move with ease and grace. 
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The judge will go to your pup's head first. While he is at the head I keep my hand on the rear so my pup doesn't move around. When the judge goes to the rear, move your hands to the front. 
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Then comes the geometry thing. Give your dog a quick brush on the table and follow the judge. He will usually ask for you to go down and back or to make a triangle. Although there is also the "T", and the "L". This is something I can't tell you how to do. Sorry, but you will just have to learn by watching or, get help from some knowledgeable show person. 
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I have been to only one show where I had to do an "L", and have never had to do a "T". The down and back will be a snap for you. The triangle is not too hard. Learn these two and leave the other two for later. If you are so unlucky as to happen to get a judge that ask you for one of the hard ones, just go cry on his/her shoulder and tell him/her you are new at this and your breeder didn't teach it to you yet. They'll have pity on you and ask you to do something easier and blame the breeder. 
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Then it's back in line and down on the knees again. Stacking is more important than brushing. If you have time to brush than do it. But better to spend the time stacking. 
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Never take your eyes off the judge, except for a quick peek at your future champion, every few seconds, to make sure he's exactly the way you left him the last time you peeked. Judges can be sneaky sometimes and when you think they're involved with someone else they sneak a quick look back at the line. You've got to be ready with your pup looking his best for this sneaky behavior. 
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The judge might or might not go down the line again to have another look. If he/she does come down the line, when he gets to my pup, I usually give the judge a little smile. I know I have the best dog in the ring and I want him to see that I have confidence in, and am proud of my dog. Besides only the winners ever smile at judges, and they don't get too many smiles. Be generous. 
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This is when you watch the judge like a hawk. If he points to you, you want to be ready for whatever he ask of you or, in some cases, "sign languages" you to do. I've noticed more judges using sign language lately. It is a good way to keep us on our toes and see if we really want the point or not. A lot of judges won't call out a person a second time when they are off in "La La" land. They will just pick another dog. I've seen it happen quite a few times. 
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As you go around for the final time (sometimes 2 or three times when a judge can't make up his mind in a hurry), always use two eyes. One on the judge and one on the dog. In one show I was glancing back and forth so much that I lost one of my contacts in the upper part of my eye. Ever see a grown woman crying in one eye only? 
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If he picks you out, watch closely what position he gives you and go to that number in the winners corner. Don't know where this is? Look before you go in the ring. Another reason for being early. It's the only corner with signs numbered 1,2,3,4, on them, and just hope you get the chance to go to one of them. Preferably the one with the "1" on it. 
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I know everyone says you don't thank the judge when he hands you the ribbon, but I was brought up to be polite and, I always have and always will say thank you. 
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If you didn't win, always congratulate the winner before you leave the ring. Although I must admit there were a few times I stormed out the ring madder than a hornet. That was in my earlier days. Now I know that if the judge puts up a really bad dog, he/she is only making a fool of themselves. Everyone outside the ring can see for themselves what this judge did. 
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I keep a record book on all the judges that I show under. I give them 2 tries to find the best dog. If they can't the second time around, then I will not show under this judge again. 
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Then, there is also the typie judges as I call them. They might not like my type of dog, and that's their prerogative, but I won't show to a judge that puts up a bad dog that is his type over a good dog because it isn't his type. 
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Shows today cost a lot of money. Hotels, meals, gas, show fees, and numerous other expenses like the venders (boy, can I spend money here). You have to show to all the judges when you are just starting out. But, once you learn your judges, support the ones you know are good and stay away from the ones that aren't. You'll be "richer" for it. 
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Never, ever make any bad comments about other people's dogs at ringside. No matter if it has 2 heads and 5 legs. Wait until you get back to the grooming area, or better yet, to the restaurant you are going to after the show. Then you can blow off all the steam you want to. If someone overhears you around the ring, you can be suspended from showing and fined. It's also in bad taste. Be a "Lady" or "Gentleman", at least at ring side. You can file a complaint at the show and you also have the right to write to AKC if you feel you have a legitimate complaint and can prove it. 
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Most important of all, win or loose, "HAVE FUN". You don't want to turn into some of the people I see walking around the shows with their frowns dragging the ground mumbling to themselves.




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