Dog Show Camping

[sirenmoses]

It's like expedition camping, minus the bumpities. Every site is different, this is one of the worst, locking down the grass camping w/no in/out options. So we chose the next best thing, a tree for shade, about .25m from the show in the Other Direction from the big RVs w/slide-outs and loud generators. Good thing, cuz the coffeepot didn't work 1st morning, and I had to make an emergency run for that precious fluid.

The 60 could sub in for Volvo: more comfortable to sleep in, less comfortable for travel, espec in the wallet.

my dogs traveling.

set-up as seen from show site x2

 

[sirenmoses]

More shots:

the porta potty/shower was heavenly, especially when left for last after camp loadout, for a final rinse before hitting the road. made the subsequent stobbed volvo tire almost bearable.

 

[sirenmoses]

those wire things are 'exercise' x-pens, clipped together to increase the useable area.

dogs are in two different runs b/c they get along in their sub-groups, haven't been introduced to make a pack. Wallyworld RV mats keep the grime (and goatheads) down, and shade cloth is a staple: just bought $100 more. Blue things are multi-use tyvek stuff I got on sale for cheap.

Van driver just popped for that sale awning, and we'll be honing the system next month at a four day show.

 

[sirenmoses]

Oh, we earned this while dirt camping; tired dog next day:

 

[titanpat57]

How do you do it!?!?

Great read, and camp!

Oh!...and the Ribbon..

 

[sirenmoses]

Tech - loadout included:

5 xpens (will be 7 next time)
3 WW mats (hopefully 5 " ")
tent as seen
2 sunshowers
1 portapooper (nt my PEET)
tent for above
pooper-scooper, bucket to put it in, trash bags galore.
grooming table
cooking table (used to reinforce xpen)

In Volvo:
4 single gallons of water (easier to pour), PS floorboard forward of spectres
3 spectre's of water (yep, they fit in volvo, see pix)
reusable groc bag w/dog fud, meds and bowls
Cooler w/human food, and books I didn't read.
Fanny pack w/personal protection (sunscreen and a lead pusher)
Camelbak to stay hydrated, even tho it made me look like a geek.

Up Top in the 13cu ft Thule Weekender:
shade cloth x 4
Folding chairs: single and triple seater
2 7.5 x 4.5 awnings, not used
1 REI Wing/Fly, not used
Sleeping gear: t-rest long, blanket, pillow (was supposed to be warm temps)
couple changes of clothing and a shower kit w/towel

 

[sirenmoses]

How do you do it!?!?
...
Oh!...and the Ribbon..

It's like doing wildland fires: head down, elbows up, get the work done, - fire, + dogs. tho late in the day I'd even eat MRE's.

Schedule goes: pick up numbers at 8, be ringside an hour before due, wait to go in. Wait some more b/c judge is behind schedule, then if you win, wait a whole bunch longer for the all important photo, to prove the win in case paperwork goes astray.

x however many dogs you are helping with, and it can get fairly stressful.

If you've never had a dog move up from the (Working) group ring, you don't know that mooching dog water from soon-to-be fellow competitors is bad practice. :whoops:


as for the ribbon, you have no idea. I've been at a lot of shows since 1997, when I got my first dober on a show contract

This is the first time I've ever even known the dog that took BIS, much less been a ball thrower and welcomed scritcher-of-all-places for one.

Pinch me, am I still dreamin?

 

[Ebag333]

as for the ribbon, you have no idea. I've been at a lot of shows since 1997, when I got my first dober on a show contract

Congrats on the BIS. Are you showing in the ring yourself, or do you have a handler?


How far do you travel for shows?

 

[VanGo]

CJ-

I recognize those scepter cans! Congrats to you and the doggers.

Van

 

['74 UA FJ]

They must be show dogs if you have to have them in a pen to keep them around.

 

[sirenmoses]

Congrats on the BIS. Are you showing in the ring yourself, or do you have a handler?


How far do you travel for shows?

Muse is owner handled, and I'll be helping with the field spaniels at the next show.

I only travel in the 4 corners, but the owner will be traveling as far as Wisconsin (from Colorado)

 

[sirenmoses]

Alamo set up: half n half, asphalt and grass

with a 3' pipe railing bisecting the two. Got lotsa sacrum stretches in flipping my legs over the rail, my buddies weren't so inclined and bowed their way through the weekend.

missing the shot from showside: will post it once i get it from my phone. 2 of 3 puppies got points each day, with the dark horse almost taking breed the final day.

The onsale ARB awning almost paid for itself this weekend. Do wanna get me one b4 prices pop back up. Irony is that the grommets I punched in the blue 5x7 flys (seen drooped over the pen) matched up almost perfectly with the velcro on the awning. D'oh, next show.

 

[sirenmoses]

They must be show dogs if you have to have them in a pen to keep them around.

The show puppy Harry managed 3 back-to-back escapes, all from the xpen that included 'his' tent to the van, where his human was.

My rescue dog also needs a pen: his name shoulda been Traveller. No recall, not for love or money, cuz he always knows where he is in relation to 'homebase': me or whatever vehicle we are in. He started putting himself into the van rather than the volvo or xpen, as past practice told him it was the most comfortable space, temp wise.


the better phrase might be "to keep them from biting stupid people", like the akita + samoyd ladies who thought that out of 2 acres of open space, the dober expen should be the potty zone.

no, we did not go potty on their setups, tho it was tempting.