Tanner's First Show

Tanner and I went to the Cascade Hound Club shows this weekend. Since it is a specialty show, we had sweepstakes as well as the regular classes to compete in. Tanner did wonderfully. My main goal was to make sure that he had fun. Boy did he ever! Several people told me that he looked like he was having the most fun out of all the greyhounds in the ring! That is the best compliment for my puppy! I was too busy chatting with friends and making sure Tanner was having a good time to take pictures. These pictures were taken by my friend and fellow greyhound lover Steve.



I didn't want to put any pressure on Tanner so I didn't ask for much. I played with him with his sheepskin before we went in just to make sure he was awake and alert. At home, we have been working on "wait". I lure him into stacking his front feet straight then ask him to wait while I pull the treat away from him about a foot and "bait" him. He looks at the treat with his ears alert and then I tell him he's a good boy and pop the treat in his mouth. He likes the "wait" game! He did this great at the show! I was able to bait him this way all the times we were in the ring and he did it perfectly! Well, a couple times he took a step or two but he did much better than I expected. I also asked for a couple nose touches and paw whacks while he was in there and he did those for me too. While waiting outside the ring he relaxed and literally took a nap even with all the other dogs milling about.



The first time we were in the ring on Saturday he jumped up at my hands and the lead and wanted to play while gaiting. I just stopped and then started again. I walked with him for several steps at the beginning of each time we gaited and then only trotted after he started to. By the end of the show today, we was gaiting almost perfectly! I say almost because we went slowly to keep him in a trot instead of bucking, galloping and playing!

We didn't win any points this weekend but we weren't really expecting to (although it would have been nice!).



I also handed his leash to a variety of different trustworthy friends when I need to run errands. My friends plied him with treats and affection while I was gone. He did great at staying calm and milking the strangers for treats and affections until I came back. He was, of course, happy to see me and I was pleased that we wasn't stressed out by my absence.



All in all, a great first show weekend for Tanner and I!