This weekend was Ember and my first IABCA show in Birch Run, MI. She needed 3 certificates for a National puppy title and a fourth for her International title. She received both titles in 4 shows over the two days. She was the only GSD at the shows, but she won second place in the puppy herding group out of 5 in the first show, third out of five in the second show, and third out of four in the fourth show. She definitely needs more work on stacking and pacing. She was pretty naughty in show 1 and 4. She did not like me hand stacking her and when I tried to gait with her, she jumped up and did not behave very well. If I choose to continue showing in conformation, I will be practicing a lot more with her. The judge in show 4 was very nice and gave me some constructive criticism on my handling, which I needed. He said that I was placing her hind leg too far back, which was messing up her topline. The judge in show 3 said in her comments that her topline is slightly sloped, which I think was my fault with stacking. All the other judges’ comments about her topline were positive. Other than that, the comments were positive and included “puppy has lots of promise”, “very nice puppy”, “well balanced quality prospect”, and “nice young puppy”. Overall it was a successful weekend but we are glad to be home. Aaron was the photographer for the weekend.
A nice stack, outside the ring.
Waiting at the judge’s table for our comments.
The herding group that she won second in. The same dogs were in the other shows, alternating places. The first place dog in show 1 and 2 was a Czechoslavakian Wolfdog. It ended up injuring itself and the owner still tried to show it, but it was non-weight bearing on one of its hind legs. It didn’t end up showing in the group.
Our second place win in the puppy herding group.
Watching TV with daddy, on the bed.
She liked being on the bed, can you tell?
Also this weekend is the Elkhart County 4-H Fair. There is an adult section for crafts and Aaron and I entered some photography and I also entered some crocheted items. This is a picture that I entered that received first place. There is usually quite a bit of competition in photography, so I’m pretty proud and Ember got a first this weekend, even though it wasn’t in conformation. 🙂
Here is another picture that I entered that got third place. For those of you that are always apologizing for putting pictures up on the blog that you took with your iPhone, I took this picture with my iPhone. 🙂
This is a crocheted cat that I won first place with as well.
Congratulations on ALL of your wins!
As for the dog—it is never easy to handle your own dog. Just think of the stacking as another obedience exercise and it just requires training/practice. And practicing gaiting is just as important as stacking, especially the “down & back.” When you are in the ring, you have approximately 10 seconds to go from one gait into a perfect stack. Trust me—I have experience with this!
So at home, practice from a trot going smoothly into a stack as you count to 10. The goal is that when you get to 10 you’re dog is stacked for the judge to see.
Some dogs do not like to be hand stacked and would rather be walked into a stack. It also depends on where you are placing your hands and how you are trying to position the legs as to whether or not the dog will like it. Ember is very smart. You could easily teach her to stack herself!
Thanks, Carole for the advice. I fully admit that I didn’t practice with her enough, partly because I didn’t know what I was doing. I went to some practices for the local kennel club and the people in charge said they didn’t know anything about how to show GSD’s. I think this will probably be our one and only conformation show since we aren’t going to breed her. (I can always change my mind about showing ;-)) I just wanted to experience it and have some fun. I now appreciate the work that goes into it, but I think I’ll stick to agility! 🙂
Well Ms. Jennifer, where to begin?? How ’bout with you, skinny girl! Good job!
At first, I thought the picture of Aaron and Ember was going to read “Helping me pick out my outfit for the show.” 🙂
The video of Ember on the bed looks like DuKe when he is fighting the blanket monster (my hand under the blankets). Hey Ember, DuKe says to “check out the pictures of his bro Digger”. DuKe is concerned that Ember is missing out on “the big dog bed”.
Congratulations on all your wins!
Terri and DuKe
That is a good caption for that picture, Terri. 🙂 you’ll notice the video of Ember on the bed is missing the pillows and blanket because we had to remove those so she wouldn’t destroy them. She was having too much fun! Ember says Digger and Duke are two handsome dudes. Always love seeing pictures!
Jennifer and Ember
Congratulations. You sure had a great weekend.
Glad Aaron went with you and took the pictures to share with us all.
Jennifer,
I don’t know what I liked more… The show, the video, your px’s, your craft… So, how about if I like them all!!!
Congratulations on all your wins… Well deserved!
Ember’s video made me laugh out loud… Thanks for that! We all need a good laugh more often. 🙂
Ditto everything Orly said, my thoughts exactly. Do not know what I like more!
What a great weekend for you guys! CONGRATS!
Wow, you sure packed a lot of winning into a weekend. Congratulations. Ember is looking great.
Congratulations on ALL your wins in the ring and out of the ring!
It is very hard to show your own GSD and make them look good. Good for you for being brave and jumping in there!
I would show her again in UKC and go fro Total Dog, or eventually for Super Dog.
Thanks, Julie! I didn’t think about that. When she’s ready for Total Dog or Super Dog, she will be more mature, too. 🙂
So is she now “IntCH Alta-Tollhaus Ember”?
I guess it would be “IntJR Alta-Tollhaus Ember”, but could I add the VP from the other show to be “IntJR VP Alta-Tollhaus Ember”? I don’t know how this titling works in conformation. 🙂
Congrats! Your puppy is growing up so fast!
I hear about Ember from some friends I have in your club. Every time I see Ellen she tells me how you are doing!
We had class tonight and Ellen said that she saw you recently. Ember is having a lot of fun in agility class. 🙂