outwest

I am so excited. Jazzy is doing really well in his conformation class and the trainer is AWEsome. If anyone needs or wants a conformation class in Eastern Los Angeles County/Western San Bernardino County pm me. I highly recommend her. She is no nonsense and full of excellent advice. She is a professional handler and breeder plus she owns a standard poodle and understands their personalities.

The homework she has given us to get Jazz through his stranger danger issues is REALLY WORKING! Last night in class his tail was up the entire time and he looked alert, happy and energetic. He approached the other people in the class. One time, though, he was all stacked up and the lady behind us had a squeeky toy hanging out of her pocket. He broke his stance and stole it right out of her pocket and started squeeky squeeky squeeky and throwing it around. He can't do that in a real show. But, everyone laughed at him and class stopped to watch the silly poodle while I wrestled the squeeky toy away. The instructor said I should bring a small squeeky for him to the next class, but he goes mad for them and I am not sure I can control him well with a squeeky around.

This is the third class and she said he was going to be absolutely fine in a few more weeks and that he was a different dog. My homework is now to take him into an actual show, not entered, and stay for several hours. I am to continue with the homework of having strangers approach him a certain way. She said that at a dog show I should find many dog friendly people.

The only issue we had last week was one lady who raised her arms while staring at him and talking in a high pitched voice while approaching him. He backed up, hid behind my legs like, "What the heck- she is going to maul me," (and he was probably right). A judge won't approach like that.

He is not ready for a real show yet, but I think in a couple months he just might be able to handle it! We'll see.

I have never bothered with a conformation class with any other dog. It was kind of a last ditch trial to see if Jazz had it in him to show. Last night his personality shined. When we were driving home we exclaimed, "He might be able to do this!"



Mr. Jazzman, the doofus/goofball

outwest

Would it be okay to take him to a show clean and brushed, but not body trimmed? That's my only hesitation- don't want to be embarrassed with this shapeless guy. He doesn't get his real trim for a couple more weeks...

PS I think I am making some real life dog friends, too. I don't have friends who understand my dog love (they think I am a bit of a nut case), but these people do.

mom24doggies

That is awesome! I figured he could do it, he just needs some practice. Go Jazz!!

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"Love is the emotion that a woman feels always for a poodle dog and sometimes for a man." ~George Jean Nathan

1stMiniPoo2012

I thought that for conformation it was the continental clip only.... ?

Marcoislandmom

Puppy until 1 year then conti or english saddle, except UKC where after 1 year, sporting clip

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Nili, proud mama of UKC Ch. Bijou's 24 Karat, CGC

1stMiniPoo2012

Okay. I'm going to be showing my mini in April... any suggestions on how to familiarize with these clips to get ready? They are hand scissored right?

outwest

In AKC you do a puppy cut until 1 year old. The goal is to get a few points before you need the continental or english saddle (both are accepted) over a year old. Some outstanding dogs are able to finish before a year old and never need to do the continental, but those are few and far between.

In UKC shows you do not need the full show clips. In fact, the judges do not pay much attention to the cut, but do check the hair quality. My little girl Bonnie won in a somewhat poorly done sporting clip/puppy cut and was a UKC Grand Champion at 10 months of age. She won against dog in continentals. I never did the continental or tried to grow lots of hair before, so it is challenging for me. I am not talented enough to do the scissoring myself, so instead I am having a professional do that. I am only trying, moderately successfully, to grow hair.

This is the bible for grooming poodles, both in show and in pet clips. If you are doing your own grooming, it is a must have item:

Marcoislandmom

FFT shaved, the balance scissored. Use a chunker on the rear top to accent the coat. Are you showing UKC or AKC?

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Nili, proud mama of UKC Ch. Bijou's 24 Karat, CGC

outwest

marcosisland, what's a 'chunker'z/

Jazz is 7 months old, so I have a couple months to get him in shape for the ring mentally and physically. Then about two to three months to show him in a puppy cut. I will have a much better idea about logistics after the 29th when I have him evaluated and trimmed. I'll also find out about a recommended handler at that time, too.

1stMiniPoo2012

He's going to be AKC reg i'm hoping I can dual him and do both