Back when I first started showing, there were a LOT of chows in this area. There were also some major competitors here. I went to a lot of shows before I won my first point...my first champion had eighteen reserves before he got that point. But, I learned a lot...
1) Learn who your real friends are...some people are really nice until you beat them the first time, then they trash your dog (and usually you as well). People who do that are NOT your friends.
2) Learn to groom your dog...look around at the dogs of your breed that are being shown in your area. Find someone whose dogs consistently look good (which means they are probably actually grooming them rather than the dogs coming to them that way). Approach them AFTER you are finished showing (preferably on a Fri or Sat when they are not in a big hurry to go anywhere) and ask if they would be willing to help you. If they live reasonably close
to you, ask if you can come over on a weekend they are not doing anything to help you.
3) Have a mentor (preferably one that has been around a while and finished a number of dogs) that you respect and trust. This does not have to be someone near you (though it helps), because you can always talk on the phone. It does help if that person is at least at some of the shows that you go to so they can tell you what you are doing wrong and RIGHT. Beware of people you are in direct competition with a lot...a real friend will tell you what you are doing, but most will just tell you "you are doing great" no matter
what you looked like in the ring. The person who is brave enough to give constructive critcism when you need it is probably your best friend.
4) Have a thick skin...this sport is NOT for the thin-skinned. Your dog will not win every time, and there is always someone to criticize you when you do.
5) Beware people who give you TOO much advise...my favorite here is a person (actually a couple of them) who always tell people how to show their dogs, or that they should let them take the dog in...if the owners of the dogs bothered to ask, they would find out one has had a handler show all of her dogs, and that the other has never finished one at all.
6) Try to find a handling class in your area. You do not have to have someone who specializes in your breed. Most techniques apply to either most floor breeds or most table breeds. Besides, an all-breed class is a good experience for your dog.
Showing your own dog is much more rewarding than paying someone to do it. Like everything, it is a learning process. You also have to remember that every day will be different. I still remember with my first champion, he went BOW on Sat for a 4-point major. The next day he was last in his class. I still remember the day I finished him with a 5-point major someone screamed (and yes, I know exactly who it was) "She finished that PET!" Of course the person who yelled that had never finished a dog at all, and finally ended up hiring a handler to finish the only one they owned that could finish. Of course, it was nice that were more people who were happy I won and finished
my first champion. If I had listened to some of the others, I would not have tried at all.
One other thing...try to make friends with people who have other breeds. Most of my best traveling companions have had other breeds. It's really great when you can go to a show with someone and you can both come home winners. You will also be surprised some of the things you can learn by watching other breeds. For instance, it is a lot easier to learn something about movement by watching the sporting group than the non-sporting group. And always, try to have FUN!
Cathy Clapp
Dallas, TX USA
http://www.geocities.com/texaschow
FlamingStar Chows
