Help for newbie to dog showing

[Lisa]

Koda's nearly ready to begin competing in Rally, I want to start showing him this summer and plan to go on to Obedience and Agility after that, depending on what he likes and is good at.

Our obedience club is affiliated with the UKC, not AKC, so they're not much help with AKC events.  I found this events search through the AKC website:

http://www.akc.org/events/search/

How do I know which shows to enter, and how do I enter?  I haven't been able to locate an entry form for any of them yet.  Which shows am I eligible to enter with Koda?  Like some seem to be sponsored by breed-specific clubs.  Does that mean the show is only for that breed?  I see comments on here about Regionals and Nationals.  What are those?  I'd like to avoid showing up at a show without much clue as to proper procedures and be embarrassed by making stupid mistakes.  I've read that attending one or more shows before entering is a good idea.  Would I be able to bring Koda along as a spectator?

Any other helpful tips for a beginner? 

[BoxerWB]

Use infodog.com, go to Show Information and Search by State. You are looking for a show that has the code RLY next to it, indicating the show offers Rally. Not all shows offer Obedience, so it is important to check. The state results are listed with the day of show and the day that entries closed (usually 2 weeks to one month before the show) Generally there is a link to the show's superintendent when you click for more info.

The website for the superintendent will have the "premium" - that's the list of all the show information and includes the form to enter. It'll tell you which events are offered which days and how much they are charging per entry. The entry form is a little weird, but not horrible.  You would be entering Rally Novice and you'd be in class A (A class is reserved for human competitors who have never won a title before). 

Entries are usually about $28. You want to be sure you can make it, because you won't get the money back just because you couldn't make it or decided not to go (I think some special cases are made for serious canine emergencies, but not sure and hope to never find out!)

[RocketBoxer]

LO! I am not so sure I am going to be much help to you.

But look at this event. I got to this page by clicking on the club name. Notice in the top section it does say that the trial is open to all breeds - I would look for that, since a lot of breed specific clubs do open up their obedience/rally entries to all breeds.
However, it does not give the superintendant, so I would just contact the contact name listed for this club and see what you need to do to get an entry in.

http://www.akc.org/events/search/index_results.cfm?action=plan&event_number=2010245904&cde_comp_group=RLY &cde_comp_type=&NEW_END_DATE1=&key_stkhldr_event=

The reason why I am not going to be much help to you if that for almost all shows down here in Texas the superintendant for the show is ONOFRIO, and they have their own website and that is where I enter the shows. I am not too sure who is used up your way.

[RocketBoxer]

Try this -
http://www.infodog.com/entry/

[BoxerWB]

Oh yeah, some of the superintendent have online entry system - they charge an extra fee, but it may be easier for you.  Around here it's all McNulty and Rau Dog Shows that run the shows.

[Lisa]

Thanks for the advice.  That infodog.com site is a good resource.   

[Lisa]

Oh I noticed on an entry form it asks for Rally jump height.  Koda just went over his first jump in last week's Rally class.  What height would he be jumping in Novice A classes?

[BoxerWB]

There are no jumps in Rally Novice.    There are only jumps in Advanced and Excellent.  Jump height depends on the dog's height, but Rally only has 4 jump heights (Obed has more) so most boxers hit the max. All dogs over 20" at the shoulder must jump 16" in Rally.

Leave the jump height blank for Rally Novice entries.

[Lisa]

Are all of the shows listed through infodog.com AKC, and if some are UKC how can I tell?

It seems there is a show in Kalamazoo offering Rally four days in a row, May 28-31, that I am considering starting off with.  Am I understanding this right, and Koda could compete all four days?  And if by some miracle with his newbie handler he managed to get a high enough score three of those days, he'd have his Rally Novice title?  Should I start him off with four days of showing in a row, or would it be better to just try one day and see how it goes first?

http://www.infodog.com/clubs/2010219502.HTM
http://www.infodog.com/clubs/2010028702.HTM
http://www.infodog.com/clubs/2010062506.HTM
http://www.infodog.com/clubs/2010104302.HTM

[Samsons Mom]

Leave the jump height blank for Rally Novice entries.

Oops, I just put Rally novice A there I was printing my entry form last night, and I noticed a added a extra letter to my address, should I email them to correct it? Also, how long does it take for the forms to be entered? I paid via credit card, and my card hasnt been charged yet(its been almost a week.)

[Newcastle]

Infodog is AKC only.  UKC shows are listed on the UKC website, www.ukcdogs.com

Koda can compete all four days (or any of them) and yes, if he qualifies three of those four times he'll have his title.

Whether you enter one day or all four is up to you and how well you think Koda's doing - entries would close in mid-May, so you've got some time to evaluate his progress.  In conformation, we're always advised to "enter down the line" - which means enter every day of a cluster/weekend when you can.  It's a different judge every day, and if you're making the trip you might as well maximize your chances.  (Of course, that's not always possible, and at shows close enough to drive there and back it doesn't apply as well - but still, I like to enter as many days as I can.)  It's a little different with performance events, of course, since they depend a lot more on how the dog feels.

Keri, you could e-mail them to correct the address, but sometimes they say they can't change anything after entries close (I don't know why, since that doesn't effect the entry) - if that happens, you could correct it next time and mark that it's a "new" address. 

Sometimes my credit card is charged as soon as I make the entry, and sometimes it's not until the closing date of the show.  (Of course most of the time those are the same day!)  If you received a confirmation of your entry, it will probably go through any day, but you could call to be sure - if you didn't receive a confirmation I'd definitely call.

[BoxerWB]

Koda can compete all four days (or any of them) and yes, if he qualifies three of those four times he'll have his title.

Provides that it isn't the same judge all three times (it can be the same judge twice) - although all the trials I've been to normally have 2 judges for a 4 day trial (one for the weekdays, one for the weekend), so you couldn't have that happen.  A title is gained by Qing three legs earned under at least 2 different judges.

Keri - As long as the extra letter doesn't cause your mail to be returned to sender, you are probably OK. Typos in dog's info or your name would be more worrisome to me.  I don't know about paying via CC (I've only done that w/online entries and they charge you immediately) but you normally get your show info about 1-2 weeks ahead of time. Generally it's a slip of paper with your armband number and class you entered, plus a little mini-booklet that details the show and tells you what time certain items are, all the armbands numbers in a class, etc.

[Samsons Mom]

Keri - As long as the extra letter doesn't cause your mail to be returned to sender, you are probably OK. Typos in dog's info or your name would be more worrisome to me.  I don't know about paying via CC (I've only done that w/online entries and they charge you immediately) but you normally get your show info about 1-2 weeks ahead of time. Generally it's a slip of paper with your armband number and class you entered, plus a little mini-booklet that details the show and tells you what time certain items are, all the armbands numbers in a class, etc.

It would cause it to be return to sender. I think ill give them a call tomorrow to see if I can fix it. The show isnt till May 1st.

[Lisa]

Keri, did you get your entry straightened out?  I'm looking forward to seeing how Samson does, great I bet.

I went ahead and mailed the entry form for Koda in that four-day show Memorial Day weekend.  There is a different judge each day for Rally.  In Rally Novice the only signs will be numbers 1-31 from those described here, under Rally Sign Descriptions, right?

http://www.akc.org/pdfs/about/board_minutes/Rally_Regulations.pdf

Koda does all that stuff pretty reliably, will have to wean him off treats and avoid touching him, and try to avoid human errors especially since I'll be nervous, and hope he performs well in the strange environment.  Can I give him treats right after we finish the course?  When crossing the finish line are we supposed to just keep walking out of the ring or stop and sit or anything?  Do we go talk to the judge?  When will we know our score?  What's the dress code at these events, pretty casual, like jeans and a t-shirt?  What about shorts?  Are shoes required?  Just kidding, but are sandals OK?  Or would it be better to look more professional?

Is there a typical time of day Rally competitions usually take place?  I know they allow handlers to walk the course without their dogs.  Is this usually just before competition starts?  I also read that dogs must be crated or held on a leash at all times.  If they won't let me tie Koda's leash to something I'll have to leave him in my car while I walk the course.  Or would they really probably let me tie him in a spot I can watch to be sure he remains sitting or lying calmly where I left him?

I'm so excited and nervous about getting started in dog showing, but know it will be lots of fun! 

[Samsons Mom]

Yup, I got it all straightened out. Trial is on May 1st, I am getting a little nervous if we Q at this trial, there is a 4-day show Memorial weekend(my bday  ) I would like to enter him in, it would be nice to finish his title that weekend

Good luck at your trial