First Time AKC Show - Help!!!

[Cascades]

Hello All,

So my puppy and I are headed to our first AKC competition this weekend to compete in Rally Novice. We’re mostly doing it for exposure purposes - I figure if he can handle that kind of a competition environment, he can handle anything! I hope we’ll do well - he’s rock solid on all of the exercises, but he may be a little undone by the environment, so we’ll see.

Here’s my problem - I have no idea what I’m doing. The TD from my IPO club was supposed to attend with me, but one of her bitches is due this weekend, so no go.

So I need guidance!

How do I check in? When? Is there a show office, like at a horse show, or what?

Where do I put my crate? Is there an assigned area, or do I just plop myself wherever I find space?

Any ring procedures I should be aware of?

Any etiquette that I should be aware of?

I’m super excited, but pretty nervous, and just Type-A enough that I don’t feel comfortable winging it, so any help is appreciated!

[itgoeson]

I competed with my dog last year in Novice A and Rally Novice A (scraped by to get a CD and RN after 4 shows). I’m not sure if all trials work like this, but my experience was:

• Yes, there is a show office, usually near the rings (just ask someone when you arrive if you don’t see it). You pick up your arm band there or at the ring (they’ll tell you).
• At the indoors I went to, there was very limited crate space… you kind of just fit it where you can find a little space near the rest of them. I ended up just keeping my dog with me on a leash and leaving the crate in the car. At the outdoors, most people crated in their vehicles or near the rings. Just ask at the show office what’s allowed. Bring a folding chair for yourself too… sometimes there aren’t enough for everyone.
• There is a board (white board or similar) posted outside each ring with the entry numbers for the class in progress and often the following class. Make sure you check in with the ring steward (almost like a warm-up steward at a dressage show) when your class goes up on the board… she’ll cross off your number.
• Always do the walk through before the class starts (you’ll need someone to hold your dog… I was always by myself, so I asked strangers in the crowd to hold my dog for me). Ask the judge any questions you want… they want you to succeed.
• As with horse shows, read the rule book and understand the penalties. In Novice I saw some people NQ doing things they could avoid if they understood the rules (even things like equipment rules – no flexileads, for example).
• If you show both rally and obedience, you will probably have two separate arm bands (that was very confusing to me the first time – I thought they didn’t have my entry).
• In my experience, the rings often run behind schedule, sometimes significantly… of course they can go early (the schedule is just a rough indicator), so get there a little early, but be ready to wait around and bring what you need to keep your dog happy if you have a couple of hours of downtime. It’s a good opportunity to watch runs and understand the procedures.
• I found dog show people to be incredibly welcoming and helpful. I saw the same people at several shows, so it was kind of nice to see how things were going and celebrate titles and such. We had some of the same Novice A dogs in our class at several shows, and we encouraged each other. It’s a small, somewhat eccentric community, like the horse world.
• If you have time at another show, volunteer to steward. I’ve learned a lot doing that, and it’s pretty easy – I’m sure they’ll be happy to train you.

Good luck and don’t stress – Rally Novice is fun and laid back.

[Where_sMyWhite]

I’ll preface this with I’ve never done Rally but have done conformation and obedience

[QUOTE=Cascades;8915812]
How do I check in? When? Is there a show office, like at a horse show, or what?[/QUOTE]

Not usually. You usually check in with the ring steward. You should have gotten a schedule with ring and order of go, times, etc.

@Cascades;8915812

Where do I put my crate? Is there an assigned area, or do I just plop myself wherever I find space?

There may be an assigned area or a few assigned areas or not. You’ll need to just get there a bit early and be prepared for what you find. Depends on the venue.

@Cascades;8915812

Any ring procedures I should be aware of?

Get to your ring early and watch, watch, watch the other competitors to pick up any procedures, how they act, how they enter the ring, what they do after they enter, do they talk to the judge, when and how do they leave the ring.

@Cascades;8915812

Any etiquette that I should be aware of?

See above

@Cascades;8915812

I’m super excited, but pretty nervous, and just Type-A enough that I don’t feel comfortable winging it, so any help is appreciated!

Good luck and don’t let your nervous feed into your pup. You’re there to have fun!!! Take a deep breath and if you watch the runs before yours you’ll know what to expect

[Bicoastal]

First of all, don’t be afraid to ask for help! People are happy to show a newbie the ropes. Just don’t ask anyone working their dog ;). Ask if it’s a good time to ask a question, then blurt out HELP ME I’m brand new and petrified! :yes:

[QUOTE=Cascades;8915812]

How do I check in? When? Is there a show office, like at a horse show, or what? [/QUOTE]

Is the trial indoor or outdoor? Leave your dog in the car, carry your crate and confirmation paper in with you. You will have received paperwork with your entry and armband number.

Do you want to setup first or check in first? You will receive paperwork that tells you when your class starts and when your group will be in the ring. When you get to the trial, there are usually tripods with boards on them. They show which classes are in that ring, the schedule or running order of entries, have a check mark to show who has or hasn’t checked in, and there should be a table nearby of volunteering helping to manage that ring. Look at the boards for which ring is yours, if there are multiple rings.

Look for when the Novice A walk through is. You need to be there for that.

Get there as early as you like but please save some of your dog’s energy and patience for their big debut performance! Pup can hang out calmly in the car away from the stress. Give your dog lots of acclimation and just as many breaks.

Look for a table of, often, older ladies sitting around with papers, clipboards, cards with numbers, and rubber bands. Tell them you’re new and you need to check in. They may ask for your armband number. Great! You have that!! Deep breath. Or they can look you up by name/breed.

Take two rubber bands for your armband. Tear a tiny notch on the left and right side to nest the rubber band around. Put that around your left upper arm, number facing out.

@Cascades;8915812

Where do I put my crate? Is there an assigned area, or do I just plop myself wherever I find space?

Crate space is usually noted with tape on the ground or strung up surveyor’s tape. It should be obvious. Read the premium to see if you need a cover, like a tarp or trashbag, under your crate. If you see an open space, ask the neighbor if it’s free. Tell them it’s your first trialyour new! :yes:

@Cascades;8915812

Any ring procedures I should be aware of?

Guessimate two minutes per run and assume Nov A may run a little slower.

No tags or anything dangling from collar or leash.

The judge may call for lunch at his/her discretion or lunch may be posted in the paperwork you receive the week before the trial.

You need to attend the judge’s briefing and walk through. Judges often ask if it’s anybody’s first time. Speak up! :yes: In Novice A, everyone is fairly new.

The judge will tell you how long you may walk the course and will announce when the walk is done. Walk through the course and visualize how you are going to complete each station with your dog.

Everyone else is doing the same thing, so there may be traffic jams or bumper cars. You may ask the judge to clarify an exercise.

Do not fret if you don’t know an exercise. Observe others practicing it but don’t totally rely on them. Consult your rulebook or do your best and own it! Your dog needs you confident and certain. Fake it til you make it.

@Cascades;8915812

Any etiquette that I should be aware of?

Dogs do not interact in any way, shape, or form. You cannot reward close to the ring. No squeaky toys. Unlike the horse world, you cannot coach someone during their run.

The ring stewards, people at a table near the ring entrance, want to know you are ready to go in the ring as soon as the current dog leaves. You may tell them you are ready when they call your number. That does NOT mean you have to keep your dog hanging around the entrance for 45min before your run. :winkgrin: Expect the schedule to run a bit late.

You may retire yourself from the run. Raise your right arm up and say, “thank you, we’re retiring.” The judge may retire you at their discretion. Nov A is on leash, so what’s the worst that can happen?

If you dog pees or poops in the ring, you’ll want to die of embarrassment as the judge excuses you and stewards hand you cleaning supplies but it isn’t the first time nor the last. EVERYone has a story like that.

Remember why you started this game and have fun. You can never have another first, so honor the experience not the ribbon.

Don’t try to train something new then and there. Ain’t gonna happen :winkgrin:.

Some people will be seriously stressing, plus we aren’t known for our social skills, so don’t take any rude interaction personally.

[Hannahsmom]

Breathe and have fun! Lots of good advice here already. Don’t be afraid to tell folks this is your first time. People will take you under their wing. As others have said, just ask when you get there about crating. The show secretary (just like a horse show) will be able to point you to the right ring, answer questions, etc. in Rally Novice A the judge will be happy to answer questions during your walk through. Make sure you get the course map from the steward at the table when you check in and get your number. Do read the Rally rules on the AKC website if you haven’t already. That Is the one thing you definitely need to do ahead of time. They don’t need to be memorized but read them several times. Have fun!

[bdj]

@itgoeson;8915908

• Yes, there is a show office, usually near the rings (just ask someone when you arrive if you don’t see it). You pick up your arm band there or at the ring (they’ll tell you).
• In my experience, the rings often run behind schedule, sometimes significantly… of course they can go early (the schedule is just a rough indicator), so get there a little early, but be ready to wait around and bring what you need to keep your dog happy if you have a couple of hours of downtime. It’s a good opportunity to watch runs and understand the procedures.

OP, you’ve gotten some great advice already, so I’m not going to repeat (most) of it, but I did want to clarify a couple of statements that I’ve quoted above.

1. There is likely to be a show office (especially if you’re headed for a big all breed/obedience/rally trial), but you only need to check in at your Rally ring - as has been mentioned above several times, the stewards working that ring are the keepers of everything you’ll need to do and get. (Remember that they’re almost certainly volunteers and may or may not have done this before - Rally often gets the less-experienced workers - so try your best to be patient with them, even though you’ll be nervous yourself.)

2. You should recieve a judging program sometime this week (probably in the mail). If your class has a specific start time listed, your class CANNOT start before that time, unless the judge AND all of the exhibitors in that class have agreed to start early
   http://images.akc.org/pdf/rulebooks/ROR001.pdf?_ga=1.119410561.966973782.1472575299 (It’s the underlined part on page 11.)

You know your dog and your show site better than we do, so where you should crate is going to be up to you - DO bring a crate, even if you work out of your car! Unless you’re bringing a family member or friend to hold your dog for you, you and your dog will be much better off if you can put your dog in a secure crate while you walk your course. You might only need it for those 10 minutes, but it will be priceless for those 10 minutes. Bring a sheet or blanket that you can cover your crate with, if your dog needs a little more privacy.

If it’s a multi day show, you can probably leave your crate set up at the site overnight. I like to get young dogs to the site early, because I find that walking around the show can be a good way to tire them out a little, and burn off a little nervous energy (think of taking a young horse to a show and giving them a little time on the longe line) before we go into the ring - but that’s VERY individual to the dog. If your dog gets more spooled up than tired in new experiences, you might not want to do that. If you do go early, remember to take LOTS of extra super high value treats, so you have something really good to reward good attention with.

When it’s your turn in the ring - take a deep breath, try to smile at the judge, and when they ask you “Are you ready?”, make eye contact with your dog (not the judge!) and have fun! You only get to play in Novice A for a little while, so enjoy it, and don’t be afraid to tell your pup what a great partner they are while you’re in the ring.

OH! And don’t forget to come back and tell us how it went! It’s been a handful of REs and a few RAEs (among other things) since I did Novice A, so I’m happy to hear from new Rally folks!

Have all the fun, and good luck!

[Bicoastal]

Have you done run thrus?

Ring procedures bdj mentioned at the end of her post-

The steward may tell you when you can enter, if the judge is still tallying up the previous score. Last chance to check your pockets for any treats, which need to be removed from your person before you enter the ring.

Once in the ring, the judge will escort you or motion you to the start. You will already know where this is because you’ve read your course map, walked the course, and watched previous runs. You are ready! Set your dog up in heel position.

The judge will ask, “Are you ready?” You have to verbally answer. AND you may say no, not yet! That’s ok. The judge will give you a moment to set up again and will ask you again. When you are ready, say so. Lots of us intentionally teach our dogs this cue and our cheerful cry of, “ready!” or “yes!” while looking at our dogs is a signal to our partner.

The judge will then say, “Forward.” You and the judge are done speaking to one another. Your run has commenced. The clock has started. Go!

At the end, heel straight through the Finish sign. Some people complete the last exercise then halt in front of the Finish sign. You are still on course, clock is still ticking. You have to pass that Finish sign to stop the clock. Then you may halt, thank the judge, and promptly and politely exit the ring. Don’t let your dog barge out into the aisle. Efficiently trot to your crate/out to your car and reward you and your dog for an amazing debut! Do not pass go, do not collect $200, do not chit chat. Your dog needs your full attention right now. AFTER you reward him/her, then you may ask someone if you Q’ed, wonder about an exercise, listen to unsolicited advice ::o.

The ring stewards will post scores after they’ve all be calculated. All qualifying runs (Qs) are invited back into the ring for the ribbon ceremony. It is your choice to take your dog back in with you or not. If there is no show photog, have your phone handy. The judge will ask who has a first Q, second Q, third Q for the title. Raise your hand when appropriate. Then the judge will announce the top placements. A ring steward will give you the appropriate ribbon.

You may ask the judge or stewards if you may have a photo to commemorate your first trial. Don’t be bashful. You never have another First Trial.

You’ll definitely want your dog for this part :D. A popular setup is dog in heel position on left, judge on your right holding your ribbons.

[saje]

Lots of good advice so far!

Keep in mind that the majority of good judges really do want you and your dog to succeed, and will give all the help they can when they can. During your walk through don’t hesitate to ask the judge to clarify any sign or way of doing things that you aren’t sure about, they will be happy to clarify it for you.

Once in the ring, don’t worry of your dog isn’t as crisp as he or she is at home. It’s ok if he lags a little bit, just try to get him to catch up without your leash - those tight leash points can add up fast! If it’s a noisy venue you may have to really up your own volume of voice and happy energy to get him to focus, be as silly and vocal as you need to be!

If you goof up a sign, a redo is only a few points off so don’t feel bad about retrying.

If you have an iPhone or iPad, the Pocket Rally Obedience app can be really helpful when you’re sitting there kind of freaking out about a sign or a rule. It lists all the signs and highlights the important things that you are judged on, and there’s an easy link to look through the rules if you want to double check something. Not sure if there’s a non-i version though.

Have a great time!

[Bluey]

Everyone already gave detailed advice.

At our dog shows, when you enter, you go look for the bigger table with several sitting there with open laptops and boxes with armbands, etc. to go sign up.

Then you find your ring if more than one, look at the order of go on the classes, then in your class your own and tell the steward at the gate that you are there, so if you are late, they will wait a bit for you.
If your number is there and not checked in, we will call the next number.

We have designated crating areas and those are easy to find, where everyone’s crates are.
One exception may be behind the big table, if there are some crates there, those are for the dogs of the ones manning the table, so they don’t have to keep leaving to go check on their dogs.

In our dog club classes, we tell those that want to compete to first try to volunteer at a show, or at least go watch a show, so they have an idea of what to expect.
If your show is this weekend, well, as others have said, ask around, see what others do and don’t worry, it is really simple to figure what to do once there.

[Cascades]

Well, we were successful!

I was entered three of the four days and we were first all three days with scores in the high 90s! So yay new Rally title!

I did end up crating in my truck - the crate area inside the building was beyond insane. Crating outside worked great though, and my dog was way less stressed that way.

Thanks, everyone, for the words of advice! It really helped!

[Garythesquirrel]

Congratulations!! Great job!:yes:

[Nootka]

CONGRATS!!!

[Bluey]

Wow, new at this and titled in three shows, that is great!

All that hard work rewarded.

Now you know what is all about, won’t have to worry too much next show.

[bdj]

Good job!