Inko's second show

Inko had a very good day at her second show today. It was the Maidenhead and District Canine Society open show in Reading. We weren't sure what time the AVNSC Pastoral classes would start so made a rough guess based on the numbers in earlier classes but we ended up having quite a long wait before we had our turn. While waiting we didn't bother setting up her crate and just let Inko watch what was going on. She seemed really calm right from the start and just watched people and dogs go by without showing much interest at all. It was a great socialisation opportunity for her to spend such a long time with so much going on around her.


To keep her focus while waiting I did some training with her such as sits, downs and stands, and also some of her other tricks that she enjoys doing, like spin, wave and high five. This way she was very much focused on me (or on the liver muffin at least!) this time, rather than on everything else. I think it helped not having sand all over the floor like her first show - much less interesting to be in a sports hall!!


We were entered into the Junior AVNSC Pastoral class. She was up against just one other dog, an Australian Shepherd. She stood pretty well for the judge and then did a fairly good walk round the ring, mostly focusing on me and not trying to jump up at all this time which was a fantastic improvement on last time so I was really pleased. I was over the moon when the judge picked her to take first place!! So another rosette to add to the second place the other week...this time a lovely red one!! When the judge was making the notes about Inko she commented that she show good potential, but also said that I should work on training Inko so that she knows that the ring is for being very still and calm and not for playing at all so that she stands rock solid and walks perfectly.


After winning that first place Inko was then able to go into the ring again for the AVNSC pastoral best of breed selection. As the last remaining puppy, she got awarded best puppy in breed (AVNSC) here so rosette number two!!


Having got this, we were then able to stay around for the Pastoral Group judging where all the winners from each of the Pastoral breeds came together to be judged for best in Pastoral. We were eligible to be judged in the Pastoral Puppy Group. The same judge who we'd had for the AVNSC judged this group. As she had already 'seen' us we waited at the side with three others in the same position while six other dogs got checked over by the judge. Then we got to do another walk round the ring so that the judge could see Inko moving again. She walked her best this time and I was very pleased that she was still being focused after so much hanging around. However, she did 'find her voice' during this session of judging and was somewhat vocal!! She stood very nicely (though loudly!!) while the judge did her final look over of everyone and then I was really pleased to be shortlisted with three other dogs. We ended up being placed 3rd!! Rosette number three!!


Brilliant day!! Very tiring as we were there nearly four hours or so, but well worth it!! Here is Inko with her three rosettes!!

She is now having a well deserved snooze!!

When we got home we checked the post and found out that we won second place in the competition we entered at Pets at Home back in December where Inko had her photo taken by the Dog Portrait Company!! We won a £20 voucher to spend either towards a copy of the winning photo or to go towards a photo at another session when it is next run at Pets at Home.

So all in all a very good day for the Inky Dink!!