Competitions - What do I need to know?

[gerbilgirl]

So me and Lola are heading off to an agility competition in Dublin next Sunday , and I'm wondering if there are any little things I should know so I don't end up looking like an eegit lol.

We're entering 1-3 agility, 1-2 agility and 1-2 jumping.

My trainer is trying to get down but we're not sure she'll be able to, so presuming she won't get down, what is the sort of routine for the days leading up to the show (when do you wash/groom, do you give the day before off, etc.), and what to do on the day (feeding etc), because this is the first proper show (outside training shows) and it seems so much more nerve-racking than a horse's first show, at least you know they won't abandon you in the middle of the ring to say hello to somebody outside the ring . Also, would you feed a bone to keep them busy on the way there (1 and a half hour journey), if she's likely to be warming up basically as soon as she gets out of the car? We can't go down much earlier as our first class is one of the first on the day, so we'll be leaving home at 7 in the morning anyway.

I'm also thinking that Rionn Dara was a bit of an ambitious name, since it means split second, and I'll be keeping her as slow as I can lol.

Oh, and do most people make an ar*e of themselves first time out?

 

[CorvusCorax]

I personally do not feed the morning of a show and only give a light tea on the night before. I would not give a bone on the way down, probably a Kong or Nylabone or something that cannot be eaten.

I do give the day before off, yes, they've had enough put into them and I find they are more on their toes with an off day before hand, personally.

Just try not be too nervous as if you feel like you will go to pieces, THEY will. A bit of tension will do no harm, if they sense something big is coming they might be more likely to perform.

Not sure about the grooming really, depends on the dog, mine get groomed every couple of days anyway and if you do bath then bath at least two days before so they aren't like puffballs!

 

[MurphysMinder]

Unless she is filthy, probably doesn't need a bath before an agility show, just your normal grooming routine the day before. I wouldn't feed in the morning, or only a very light feed, and unless used to something in the car she shouldn't need anything. Ideally she is better resting on the journey rather than gnawing away all the way there. If possible I would try and allow yourself enough time to get there early enough to give her a quick leg stretch, check your entries, collect your number, walk the course and then warm her up. There is nothing worse than panicking you won't be ready in time. You are wise to try and keep her steady, the speed can come later when she is confident over different obstacles in a show environment. Don't worry about making an idiot of yourself, dogs are just put on this earth to make us look stupid. I had one GSD bitch who would take herself off to visit any children at the ring side who might just have food (especially ice creams), and that wasn't just at her first show but over several years. They used to love her at big competitions at agricultural shows, she was always a crowd pleaser and gave the commentator something to laugh at.