I am so excited I found a local club that offers handling classes. I think it will be a lot of fun to learn and to teach Simon a new skill. I know some of you have taken or are taking them any pointers or advice would be great I just think it will be a fantastic experience and fingers crossed I will finally be able to get some nice stacking pictures of Simon.

Oh how exciting! I hope you and Simon are able to have lots of fun and learn new things!

I recommend a flat, nylon martingale lead to get started. Also, don't be discouraged if he acts nutty.

I thought for handling they normally did nylon choke? Can you show me a picture of what collar you are talking about so I know I am on the right page.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003WGYC4O/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I got that one for Diz July of last year on the recommendation of my teacher. It still fits and its still the one I like the most over the nylon choke, or snake chain I have.

Okay I was thinking one of the martingale that's like as thick as a normal collar so that's why I was confused.

Nope, not thick, thin and easy to hold, but not so thin I feel like it could hurt him.

Do you think that size would fit him now?

Yep! Diz was 5 months when I got it and I still use it.

Nice I emailed them for more info about there classes they don't list locations or dates and times on the website now I am just waiting... waiting sucks.

Kudos on learning a new skill with your dog! Sounds like fun. Can't wait to hear more about it.

They emailed me back classes start in August so I am going to sign up we will see. Jen any suggestion on what I should do to prepare for it. I was guessing basic obedience to work on his focus but then he might sit and down to much.

I would say just start clicking and treating standing and paying attention to you. He's probably very used to sitting. Sit seems like a go to behavior for a lot of dogs when they are learning something new, or can't quite figure out what you want. Don't worry about stacking just yet, just start rewarding standing still more often than sitting.

Right now I am actually rewarding down's the most because I like it the best for when he wants something. but I could work on stands, do you prefer clicking? I use the same principles but I use a marker word "yes" so I don't have to juggle a clicker.

For conformation I start with standing for treats. I do not give treats for sits or downs until they have that rock solid. I use 'watch me' (followed by a treat) to get the alert expression looking at me. A hugely important thing is socialization. It is never too soon to get him used to strange sights and sounds. Dog shows are loud, especially in the grooming area. Get him used to being approached by strangers and letting them look at his teeth, run their hands along his body and feeling for his testicles. (okay, don't ask random strangers to do that last part. lol but he should get used to strangers approaching him) You can also work on the leash. It's different from obedience or puppy classes, and the details can be worked out once you start classes, but for now just work on him trotting beside you in a leash in a straight line and standing pretty when you stop (I hold my right hand out with a treat as I step in front facing the dog to signal stand instead of sitting like we do in obedience). If you're on facebook, there's a group called 'learning to show dogs' which is extremely helpful to newcomers.
disclaimer: I don't show my husky (just my lab), but the basics are the same

You definitely don't have to use a clicker. Samantha makes a great point about getting used to people touching him and going over him.

One other thing going off of what Samantha said, when you have the show lead on him, make sure you're 'working' on the show stuff only. Don't throw it on for a quick potty break or something else, it should be associated with a specific reason/focus.