Wonka's new freestyle video (finally!)

[sassismom]

I just can't say enough on how awsome that is! You have done a great job I sure hope you are proud and see you soon on some TV show that is just the cutest routine I can't say enough this is just great!

[Wonka & Nilla]

Thank you everyone for the compliments. It means a lot to me to be able to come here and get support and feedback. You guys are the best!!!

Good Luck, you probably already said this but when is the event?

The competition is Nov. 7 & 8. We'll be competing both days in an attempt to finish our Novice title. It's coming up SO FAST!!! Eeek!!! I'm feeling more confident about the routine compared to a week or two weeks ago... but I'm still nervous. We need qualifying scores (both days) of 8.0 or higher on both artistic and technical to finish this title.

I sure hope you are proud and see you soon on some TV show

Wonka and I actually did dance on TV this summer... for about 2 seconds! We did a demonstration at a nearby university for a 'Grandparents and Grandkids' event and it was filmed by the university to use for promotion/advertising. Wonka and I were in the little newsy-blurb bit of the promo that they showed on a local station.

[Wonka & Nilla]

Oh boy, I go from feeling optimistic after one practice to REALLY concerned after the next practice. We're less than a week away now from the competition and today we went down to a "Show and Go" - which is a short practice session at the site of the competition. You go in, pay your $5 for a few minutes of practice to run through your routine in the ring and then you head home. It's a long drive just for that, but it's a valuable experience to try out the routine in the same size ring and same acoustics, etc. as competition day.
Well, Wonka and I didn't do so hot at the Show and Go. It wasn't "awful" but it wasn't as good as I would have liked to see considering we're so close to competition day. I really wish we had another few weeks to practice this routine. One of the other ladies that was at the Show and Go gave me a few pointers to work on this week. I hope they help because I'm not feeling very confident about getting qualifying scores after what we did today.

Just 5 full days left to practice!!!!

[shaynapug]

You have to do like I do!!! Take a deep breath and relax!!! They can feel our worries!

You'll do GREAT!

If you can...give me an about time for Sunday. If I can pick up my point on Sat...I'll head home and come see you on Sunday! Or...maybe stop by on the way home????

[jwestoverpug]

Diane is right, dogs pick up on our emotions and I think pugs are even more sensitive to this than a lot of breeds.

He was somewhere new, so I'm sure that was part it, but it be more familiar to him next time.

Just try to relax, have fun and be confident in your dog.

Even you don't get really nervous, there's a lot of good info about "ring nerves" Lanny Bassham has some good tapes.

[Wonka & Nilla]

Thanks for the support.

Diane is right, dogs pick up on our emotions and I think pugs are even more sensitive to this than a lot of breeds.

He was somewhere new, so I'm sure that was part it, but it be more familiar to him next time.

But it isn't somewhere totally new... we've competed at this location three times now and have been to a couple of workshops and at least two 'show and go's' in that building over the past two years. I do get very stressed during competition, but it's getting less scary for me each time we compete. However, at yesterday's show and go, I didn't feel very nervous so I don't know what was going on. I'm worried that Wonka is starting to have negative associations with the building, "Oh, this is that place where mommy is always nervous and acts different."
After we had our time in the ring (where Wonka seemed tired and just not wanting to dance), we went outside for him to potty and suddenly he was WILD - zooming around in wild pugtonas to run off his stress and excess energy. So, maybe I was more nervous than I realized and it was affecting him... he obviously wasn't exhausted the way he looked in the ring. He's such a sensitive pug and so in-tune with me emotionally.

[Snifter]

I think that's looking great. Love the cane work, especially with you both circling it - very stylish.

I wonder if Wonka is actually performing better when you are a little nervous? He seems to have done a super job in the competitions to date and if you weren't feeling the pressure so much in this latest one, maybe he just wasn't so interested. Maybe it's not the same with Wonka but I know I have had some of our best show results when I have been terrified! Snifter has just pulled out all the stops then. Who knows what goes on in their little puggy brains?

Wishing you the best of luck.

[Wonka & Nilla]

I wonder if Wonka is actually performing better when you are a little nervous? He seems to have done a super job in the competitions to date and if you weren't feeling the pressure so much in this latest one, maybe he just wasn't so interested. Maybe it's not the same with Wonka but I know I have had some of our best show results when I have been terrified! Snifter has just pulled out all the stops then. Who knows what goes on in their little puggy brains?

It makes me feel better knowing that Snifter has performed best when you were super stressed... I sure hope that is what happens with Wonka!!! You're right, who knows what is going on in their little puggy brains. LOL Maybe he was thinking "oh, this is just another type of practice, I'll take it easy so I can be ready for the BIG day!!"

[PrincessMugs7]

im just seeing this - what a cute video! He's getting REALLY REALLY good!!!!