1st 9-12 month puppy & Reserve Winner's Dog

To say that we had a fun and exciting first show weekend would be an understatement!

Having never owned a show dog, much less attended many conformation shows- to say that I was intimidated would be an understatement! On Saturday, Gibbs was the only puppy in his age group. My legs felt like jello, my hands trembled, and I couldn't set Gibbs up for the life of me. We got to go back in for Winner's so it was a nice opportunity for more ring practice.

On Sunday, again Gibbs was the only 9-12 mont puppy dog. When we went back in for Winners, I had no expectations. I wanted to go into the ring and be less nervous and more able to set Gibbs up. Well, to see the judge keep comparing distant relative Detour to Gibbs made my heart pount when I realized she was really considering us for RWD. Finally the judge said, "And my Reserve Winners Dog will be my puppy" I just about couldn't believe my ears. MY PUPPY? Woo-hooo! For this to be our 2nd show, and very first show weekend this was beyond my expectations. We're definitely hooked on conformation now!

My first haircut!

Yesterday, I took Gibbs to visit his breeder. He needed a good ear and foot trim. I had just bathed him a few days ago, so we skipped the full spa treatment! Gibbs was such a good boy, he sat on the grooming table like he'd been doing it his whole life. He stayed pretty still. Anne used a dremel on his nails, he wasn't even phased. I had been clipping him with the Miller's Forge scissor action clippers. In Janurary, I quicked his nail and made him bleed. That has been the end of the clippers since then... but I think the dremel is going to work. I just ordered one on Amazon.com for us to add to our grooming supplies! He'll have to get used to this grooming routine if we're going to hit the breed ring in a few months!

Here's Gibbs post groom, what a tired boy!

First Conformation Class

Yesterday I took Gibbs to our first conformation class. It was so much fun, I think I've been bitten by the show bug already. The class was 2 hours long, but it was so informative and a good experience for us both.

My little guy just loves food... bait- even better. He was incredibly good. Didn't mind other dogs crowding him or moving toward him while he was stacked. What a good boy! Our breeder, Anne, was there. She said he is developing nicely and he is quite the mover! YAY! Now, had she told me the total opposite that he wasn't going to make the cut for the ring, I would have been disappointed but wouldn't have gone home to cry. However, hearing that he is looking like a show dog has me on cloud 9. :)

I made show bait that Gibbs absolutely loves. I think that I am going to save it only for handling class and for shows. I want him to be motivated and 'up' when he needs to be. Maybe saving his new favorite tid-bit will do that for us.

Here is the recipe, thanks for a fellow member of GoldenRetrieverForum.com, LibertyMe.

SALMON BROWNIES

These treats are so great for training. They aren't
slippery.
They don't crumble. They toss really nicely.

1-14 ounce
canned salmon drained or 2 cans of tuna packed in water, drained
2 eggs
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 ½ cups of flour (or more as needed to make
stiff dough)


Mix together. Press (or roll) flat on a cookie sheet to
about ¼" thick.
Spraying your hands with Pam® make pressing out much easier
Bake at 250° F for 30 minutes.
Cut into ¼" cubes and refrigerate or
freeze.


These freeze really well....however they must be used within
a day or two after thawing as they will spoil.