Willow's 1st

... and our first show too.
I spent ages training with Willow, got her to stand still and not lunge for whoever was in front of her, worked on walking nicely --- and then we arrived, and the sight of 50 other welshies sent her absolutely crackers.

We had 'exercised' her about 15 minutes before, but just as she was being called, she did the biggest dump we've ever seen from her. Nerves, perhaps?

She liked the judge. Enough to bounce up to her and the standing mat (whatever its real name is, the mat where the judge checked teeth and body etc.), and go for a big lick as the judge ran a hand down her chest.

And then came the walk out. Or the bounce out and back as performed by Willow. I don't think she managed a single walking pace. The judge kindly said try again, so the OH tried again... and again. Not a single non-bouncing step to be seen.

On the bright side, she did manage to stand calmly and fairly well positioned in the line-up, so at least some training paid off.

The really good bit? We met her Dad!!! (and her Uncle, Aunty and Cousin). He didn't seem too interested in his offspring, but we thought he was gorgeous, and hope her coat will mature into his glorious mahogany. So here's a pic of Willow, Dad Reuben and Aunty.

Well done I tried to reply to your message but from some reason wouldnt let me. Who's her dad looks like one of Steve Picks.

The bouncing is all part of trying to show a Springer! I took Isla to a fun show this year and she still insisted on trying to eat my trousers (Jacquie can bare witness to this!) even though she'd been out of the ring for nearly 2 years!

Yepi can they never grow up and never forget how to misbehave

Lovely dogs..... pleased you enjoyed your first show..... first of many!

Other breeds bounce too at their first show.

With some it comes with out effort but lots of dogs bounce a lot at their first show because it is so difficult to recreat the actual atmosphere of a real show to practise with.

Glad you still had a good day

Yes, formally (L to R):

Willow Wonder, Llon Carn Goch, Llon Eirawen

And all the advice about exercising Willow to tame down the zoomies? Four people at the show said variations on 'no running around exercise except at home in the garden', or you're setting yourself up for joint problems later, and lack of weight gain now!!!

Yep mine dont get much til there over 12 months, or they seem to burn it off. It's a fine line though tbh. If there at home they can rest when there tired I never lead walk before 7 months and all socialisation is done at training and very short walks in the car.

Sorry forgot to say its also to protect the hips as well.

And some never stop bouncing even when they enter open

Glad you had a good day,