Getting ready to show

[Sohni]

So, what are some good ways to train a cat to show? I am thinking it's time to start taking Tsekani out into public, for example to the petstore. And to take him on trips around town to get him acclimatized to the car. I have already brought him to my parents place twice and he was just fine with that.

Are there positions to put him in for showing? For my shepherds it's really regimented, they need to hold in a stack position. I just can't see training a cat to do that.

[GoldenKitty45]

Basically you get them to "relax" when stretching them out (hands under the front legs and back legs. Hold them out in the air for a few seconds. I usually train mine to stand still on a small table.

Go over their head, body, coat. And then get them to sit and play with feather toys, sparkle toys, etc. You can get them to do a little jumping for the toy but have your hands partially on them so they don't jump down from the table. Trick is to keep them relaxed on the table and not want to take off

[Abymummy]

Here's some visual aids...this is what judges usually do in the judging ring...

The Stand Test

Checking head shape, muzzle, and overall general body condition by running hands from head to tail.







Play test







Sorry these pics only show the feathers, judges use other types of toys as well!

Checking the coat (no comments about green Abys please!)



The stretch test:



There are more than these, but unfortunately, these are the only pics I have that show these tests well!

PS. The Abys are mine - GC Masmera Cahaya Bulan and GP Masmera SinarSuria - CFA ID Asia's first Division bred Abyssinian grands, from the same litter . I showed the Maine Coon to Grand Champion . The HHP (Oriental - he has a kink in his tail, never registered) is a dear friends' cat and possibly Malaysia's most famous HHP show cat, shown since the age of 6 months. The ASH from a breeder friend in Hong Kong.

[Abymummy]

I would also recommend that you train your cat to being caged. Not all cats take to being caged easily.

[Sohni]

very nice, thanks.

[Nekochan]

Hey I have a related question... If a kitten tries to play-bite while the judge is going over them would they take points off? Sometimes my kitten takes certain handling as an invitation to wrestle even though I've made sure to never play with him using my hands as toys...

[GoldenKitty45]

No - you must break your kitten of the habit of trying to bite hands when being handled. The judges don't know whether the cat is serious or not. "Hands" should be a good thing. If your kitten does it, start teaching him/her its NOT allowed.

[Nekochan]

Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

No - you must break your kitten of the habit of trying to bite hands when being handled. The judges don't know whether the cat is serious or not. "Hands" should be a good thing. If your kitten does it, start teaching him/her its NOT allowed.

I have been trying to teach him but so far he does not seem to be learning...none of the methods I've tried have stopped him... :/

[mzjazz2u]

Originally Posted by Abymummy

Here's some visual aids...this is what judges usually do in the judging ring...

The Stand Test

Checking head shape, muzzle, and overall general body condition by running hands from head to tail.







Play test







Sorry these pics only show the feathers, judges use other types of toys as well!

Checking the coat (no comments about green Abys please!)



The stretch test:



There are more than these, but unfortunately, these are the only pics I have that show these tests well!

Those pictures are good learning tools. So do the judges just play test with feathers? Should I start playing with Maxx with feathers more? Maxx plays hard all the time but most of the time he ignores feathers. I guess they don't impress him much.

[GoldenKitty45]

Not all cats respond to certain toys - that's why the judges usually have a variety of 2-3 different types. Charlie prefers the pheasant feathers best of all.



As far as the kitten biting - have you tried a loud "hiss" when he does it?

[Abymummy]

Originally Posted by mzjazz2u

Those pictures are good learning tools. So do the judges just play test with feathers? Should I start playing with Maxx with feathers more? Maxx plays hard all the time but most of the time he ignores feathers. I guess they don't impress him much.

Persians and Exotics are used interchangeably here....

It's uncommon to see Persians, especially adults (Premiership or Championship) react to much - be it feathers or other toys. When they do react, it's like bonus points for the cats.

Judges test for Persians are a bit unlike the ones I posted pics of. Due to the nature of their cobby body and placid nature, most judges don't do a stand test. The stand test for them is on 4 legs not 2. Usually, no stretch test either. Instead, there's the lift on one hand test...hmmm, something like this...:


The Exotic pictured above is GC Loon Neo of Proventus.


The check the head test for Persians is also important. I will see if I can find a good picture of that.

[mzjazz2u]

I'm thinking Maxx should do well in premiership. He championed (I think it was 6 times) in the past. (Before I got him and had him neutered). I'd have to check that number for sure on the CFA site. I had looked up his registration number when I first got him. I just think it would be a good experience for me and a local show would be a good place to get my feet wet. Anyway... Maxx plays all the time. He thinks life is just one big happy playpen. I've never seen a Persian play like he does.