Shelby was my first Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. We started in Puppy classes right away. They should be called people training classes, as that is what they are. A good trainer teaches you how to communicate what you want to your dog. It is wonderful to see them "get it".
Shelby "got it" very quickly. Graduating at the top of her class, she came in first for all awards offered except one. She learnt the usual, sit, stay, down, leave it, come commands. Then she learnt to back up, dance, roll over, jump through a hoola hoop, spin & reverse spin and how to give a high five!
Her favorite thing in life has always been a penlight. She is very persistent in conveying what she wants. She will go to the cabinet jump up and bark. If that doesn't work she will start offering behaviors she thinks I will like. First, she will jump in my lap giving kisses, once petted she makes her move, back to the cabinet. If ignored she will sit, then lay down, then a high five. This is called asking nicely <grin>!
Shelby went to puppy classes each week in a big building with lots of people and dogs. In the center of a circle of people she performed whatever she learnt that week including tricks,one of which was walking on her hind legs (which I soon regretted teaching her).
When we started Conformation, she went into a big building with lots of people and dogs in the center of a group of people and performed! She LOVED to perform! She often went into the ring (walking on her hind legs). She believed everyone was there to see her!
Now, to train her for the Show Ring. Harness that energy and get it focused on me. From 3/30/02 thru 11/09/02 she picked up three RWB, a WB & BOS for 2 PTS and WB BOS for a 4 PT Major. Still not totally focused on me in the ring, still performing her "antics" of hey everyone do you see me? For this reason she was always shown in the American Bred Class, as "antics" are not well tolorated in the Open Class.
She seamed to finally "get it", after I had a talk with her. She was told, she could not have the penlight until she stopped being a clown and start being a Show Dog in the ring. Then she would get her light back.
Did she understand me? The next few weeks were a blur of winning!
4/06/03 WB & BOS 2 PTS
4/12/03 WB & BOS 5 PT Major!
4/26/03 WB & BOS 2 PTS
4/27/03 WB & BOS 2 PTS
We had done it! Shelby was a New Champion!
As soon as we walked into the house she went straight to the cabinet where her penlight was kept. I kept my word and she had a crazy fun time, being the clown she was born to be! There is never a dull moment with Shelby around!
Imagine my surprise when I found out that she had placed in the Top Ten Cavalier Bitches in the USA in 2003 and was being honored by the Cavaliers Of Puget Sound at their Specialty Show in Seattle WA. 2004!
Click here to see Shelby pups who are spending there days making others happy.
Shelby pups kept for the show ring are Chandler & Bailey. Shelby is one of my foundation Bitches.
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