Showing Teeth – Video
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIMaXzypzME]
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Showing a dogs teeth
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Category: Handling training
The up and down together
The up and down together is used in the breed ring when a judge would like to compare two dog’s rear and front movement together. In handling it shows control of the handlers and can compare two handler’s straight lines and presentation. Sometimes a judge will want the up and down once or twice, some will stay put and some will move to one side (this is where it gets complicated).
The idea is that the two dogs are kept together at all times and to achieve this one handler will start their dog on the right side and the other handler will start their dog on the left side and at the top, if the judge hasn’t moved, both handlers should do an inward turn so the dogs are still moving together.
If the judge moves to one side, the handler furthest away from the judge goes back first and the other handler follows behind. Then, stopping one behind the other they both would turn and follow each other the other way back to present in front of the judge.
Move the dogs at the correct speed. If one is slower than the other then wait for them at the turn.
Before you set off on the up and down ask the handler you are running with if they are ready. You don’t want to go trotting off to find the other handler hasn’t yet got their lead sorted.
Once the movement is finished dogs should be stood parallel to the judge with the gap directly opposite the judge’s feet. Both dogs should be back to back or facing the same direction. Never have the dogs facing each other (eyeballing) as if they are two male dogs then this could cause trouble.
Sometimes you may find that you come up against a handler who doesn’t know this exercise very well and they get confused. If they do get confused then politely tell/guide them where to go on the turns. This shows the judge that you understand what is meant to happen and is better than having someone else ruin your chances of winning.
This can also be a great training tool to use in training to get control from your dog and get them to ignore other dogs. Even if you never need to do this exercise in the ring, training it will help teach your dog to ignore other dogs running close by in another ring.
Showing a dogs teeth in handling
In handling classes you will be asked to show the judge your dogs teeth.
The judge will access you on how well you show the teeth. To do this, show all three sides of the mouth clearly (two sides and the front). The order is not important (although some judges may think so) but either ‘side, side, front’ or ‘side, front, side’ appear to be the most common. The most important thing is how fluent you show them and how clear they are shown to the judge.
Be careful not to cover the dog’s nose or poke them in the eye with a finger when showing the teeth as this will invariably cause the dog to back away and will look messy.
Also, remember t think about where the judge is, especially how tall they are, and move your dogs head accordingly. It’s important when practicing with your dog to get them used to tilting their head up at different angles and also turning your dogs head with you show the sides.
Also remember that the judge wants to see the dogs teeth, not your head or hair, (a good reason for tying long hair back). If you can see your dogs teeth, the likelihood is, the judge can’t!
If the judge asks for the ‘bite’ this is when they want to just see the front teeth. If you are ever unsure about what the judge wants then do ask them to clarify it for you.
One last note; remember, a dog has 42 teeth!
Handling has always been associated from the start with Pedigree/show dogs. Afterall, the art of handling classes has developed from skills used in the breed classes.
But, like everything, handling has developed in to a hobby and competition in it’s own right. The Adult Handling finals started being a seperate entity to any Kennl Club registered show and the YKC weekends host handling compeititions, along with the handling classes at Companion Dog Shows which sit under the novelty classes which are open to pedigree and cross breeds alike.
Though this we have seen an increase in handlers (junior and adult) competing in handling with cross breeds or non KC registered pedigrees.
The YKC allow handlers to compete with cross breeds at their training/activity weekends and have the chance to qualify for the YKC handling at Crufts.
When handling a cross breed there is no set way like with a pedigree, but most would advise you handle your dog to the breed it most resembles.
The same rules still apply, you want to move your dog at the correct speed and is stood so it’s “four-square”.
Anatomy (points of a dog)
Every handler (junior or adult) will need to know the anatomy (points of a dog) when exhibiting in handling classes. There are many judges that will ask them! Below are the basic points of a dog which are the most common points (including number of teeth and ribs).
You can also find information on 40 points of the dog from the Kennel Club that are used for the conformation and movement hands on assessment for judges. It also has the front angulation, rear angulation and conventional measurements.
Clever dogs, bad fault
A common problem I often see at ringcraft is dogs who start predicting the next movement. They may turn too soon on the triangle or turn and stop to present to the judge.
Try mixing up the training by changing orders of patterns, do different patterns and stop at different points.
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Using mats
Using mats
Lots of open shows are still held in sports halls which have slippery surfaces. The society will supply matting to stop dogs slipping, so why do judges want and expect handlers to move their dog off the mat?
For the safety of your dog, please, always use the mats available where possible and if, for any reason, you don’t use the mats, please be careful with your dog that they don’t slip.
To judges: Please consider handlers and their dogs when judging and consider the mats your have in your ring. Do not expect handlers to put their dogs at risk and although smallr dogs may be ok, a fast moving dog may not be.
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Stacking your dog
Stacking your dog
If you have a stacked breed, consider how you pick up your dogs legs; below are some do’s and don’ts of placing your dogs legs.
Do…
…place your dogs legs one at a time
…gently place your dogs feet on the ground
…pick your dogs leg up from the centre of the leg
…stay calm and take your time
…keep the stacking calm and rythmatic (one foot, two foot, 3 foot, 4 foot, head, tail, present)
…remind them of the command
Do not…
…pick your dog up from the under-carriage
…drop your dogs legs from height
…be rough with your dog
…use jerky movement
…throw your dog off balance
Remember to stand your dog in front of a mirror so you can see how you have stacked them to make sure that they are correct or ask your trainer to watch how you do it and give any advice to improve if needed.
Have a look at some more advice of stacking your dogs on the blog post Standing your dog – part I
Shorten that lead….
If I had a pound for every time I told a handler to shorten their lead….
If you are having problems with your dogs movement, try shortening the lead. This doesn’t mean tightening the lead.
The shorter lead will give you so much more control and most handlers find the new lead length and arm position gives them more control and is more comfortable.
Give it a go and let me know how it goes.
Learning curve
You will never stop learning when it comes to showing dogs (or anything else!) but is there such a thing as learning too much? I don’t think so.
Talking about purely show ring training/ handling, you can never learn too much. Try to go on as many workshops as you can with different trainers. Each trainer will have different handling and training styles and each day your dog may perform differently, as well as many other factors.
Be careful though as you may get conflicting advise. This is where you need to use these different styles to find the one that best suits you and your dog and to develop your own style of showing.
If you find a trainer you like and enjoy their sessions, go on the same one a year or two later. You might pick up on something you missed previously.
Enjoy the training sessions as use them to your advantage.
Happy training!