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Dog shows in heaven – joke

Dog shows in heaven – joke
One day in Heaven, Saint Peter, Saint Frances, and St. Paul were standing near the dog kennels watching the dogs frolic, while admiring the beauty of the Afghans and Borzoi…

“I am certainly bored”, stated Peter. “Me too” chimed in Paul. “I know what we can do, let’s have a dog show !”

Both thought that was a great idea until Paul pointed out that there would be no competition. “We have all the World and National Champions right here already” “Let’s call Satan! “, Peter replied. “His kennels are filled the spoiled, non sighthounds, difficult and mean dogs. We’ll have built a major that we would certainly win.” And so Satan was called on the Hot Line.

He laughed and asked why they would invite him and his dogs, only to be humiliated because he would certainly beat them.

Peter and Paul did not understand. “What do you mean you would humiliate us? We have all of the World and National Champions in our Heavenly kennels. Even the top producing stud dog of all time, Best In Show Champion, Afghan Hound, Coastwind “Abraxas”. How could you possibly beat us?”

Satan laughed again and said, ” Have you gentlemen forgotten so soon? I have all the judges!”

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Crufts 2013 is on it’s way – 59 days to go

Crufts 2013 is on it’s way – 59 days to go
Postal entries have now closed for Crufts 2013, although there is still a week left for online entries.

This year will see some changes at Crufts, it’s the first year that breeds on the Import Register are able to compete at Crufts in Any Variety Import Register classes. The winner won’t be able to enter the group but this is still a first for these breeds. There will also be early starts (8am) for some breeds on Sunday. This is to ensure that Best in Show is held at the correct time to be aired live on More 4.

Bad news for this year is the increase in car parking charges set by the NEC. Parking will now cost £10 and can be purchased on the day and no-one is 100% sure on what is happening with the West Car Park since it was sold to the Airport. Hopefully the whole carpark will be available to use!

Crufts is always a highlight of my year. Showing, Discover Dogs, friends from around the world and of course the shopping!

I also hope to meet lots of Winning Paws clients and followers there.

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Dog Show people

Dog Show people
I just had to share this with you all.

Dog Show people are a special breed, not usually recognised by the KC.

They usually have crates in their living rooms, keep messy houses, but their kennels are spotless.

They can always find a show catalogue within an arms reach and have kids who know more about the ‘birds and the bees’ when they are five year old than most people know at 40.

Dog Show people will drive 200 miles, spend £50 on petrol and £20 on meals, to bring home a piece of card.

Dog Show people drive vans. They can never be reached on weekends, unless you happen to be at the same show.

They have trouble getting to work on time but can be at ringside by 8:00am.

Dog show people will give up a £250,000 home to move to a shack on 10 acres so they can have a £150,000 dog kennel.

Dog Show people have children who grow up believing ‘Bitch’ is just another household word.

Dog show people do not have neat gardens.

Dog show people may pay the mortgage 10 days late BUT never miss a closing date for entries.

Dog show people would rather be audited by the Inland Revenue than investigated by the KC.

Dog show people use dog food bags for rubbish and rubbish bins for dog food.

Dog show people talk on the phone for hours to another dog person in a language known only to dog people.

(Author Unknown)

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Top Tips

Top Tip #37

Top Tip #37
Learn what motivates your dog(s). Each dog is different and will have different motivation such as food, toys or praise. Ensure you know what your dog likes to optimise training.

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Getting started

The long day at a dog show!

The long day at a dog show!
Dog shows are known to be long days. We start early, get home late and spend a lot of time waiting around! Today in particular! As I write this, I am at a show at the kennel club building!

It was a later than normal start for us and I was picked up at 10pm (I have the pleasure of going to shows with my parents). We were third in the ring behind two numerically strong breeds so didn’t have to be here at the crack of dawn.

Judges ahead of us appeared slow but eventually we got into the ring. I never took note of this time and we were far to busy having a laugh and joke with friends.

After taking best puppy in breed we now have the long wait for the rest of the Gundogs to also be judged. It’s getting dark outside and still plenty of breeds to do.

But do I regret coming? No way! I have had a great day with friends, some lovely results and now I can’t wait to watch our puppy in the puppy group and support our best of breed.

Its been a great show, although long day. I have spoken with friends, put the world to right and now look forward to another cup of coffee and taking the dogs for a walk.

This is what showing is about!

FUN!!!!!!!!!!

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Top Tips

Top Tip #36

Top Tip #36
Puppies are not statues, don’t stress when they don’t stand perfectly still. A happy puppy who wants to please and has a pleasant experience is wonderful to see and will only help your dog as it grows up into a mature adult. – Danielle Ingarfill

Thanks Danielle for these words of advise for this top tip!

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Top Tips

Top Tip #35

Top Tip #35
Teach your dog to stand still for a period of time. Gradually start off with sorter periods of time and slowly increase the time.

Try not to let your dog break from the stand. If they do, calmly re-place the legs. Your task is to praise the dog before they fidget. With training, the lengh of time your dog stands still will increase. Ideal for those large classes!

Once your dog has stood, give loads of praise and have a game/reward them.

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Product recommendations

Product recommendations: Daisy Ann Dog Designs – Bait Bags

Product recommendations: Daisy Ann Dog Designs – Bait Bags

Daisy Ann bait bag

Over the years I have tried many products for different things with my show dogs. Some have been a huge waste of money, others have just been fantastic which I use time and time again and I want to shout about! I have spent far too much time trying to find online recommendations and so I have decided to put my personal recommendations on the Winning Paws blog for all things show dogs, dog training and keeping my dogs.

This time it’s a bait bag which is designed and made by Daisy Ann Dog Designs

What is it: A bait bag (pretty one!)
Price: £10.99
Where can it be purchased: Direct from Daisy Ann Dog Designs Website or Facebook
Where did I purchase it from: I won it in a competition from The Daisy Ann Dog Designs Facebook page! 😀 (Lucky me!)
Star rating out of 5: ★★★★

Winning Paws information: The Daisy Ann bait bag is the prettiest bait bag I own by far. They are custom made and therefore you get a choice of colour and pattern used for the inside and the flower detail (optional). This is a great touch and makes then all more personal.

The bag comes with a belt (optional) or you could use your own belt.

The bag itself has a zip, on mine I think I would prefer it slightly smaller and would personally prefer more compartments/pockets as I like to keep the treats, comb, toys and poo bags separate! If/when I order another; I will be asking if this is all possible!

I love the material that’s used on the outside, waterproof and is the material you can scratch to get your dog’s attention! Fantastic when I’m asking the dog for a free-stand and something I do miss with the leather pouches.

Overall this is a practical yet pretty bait bag that can be designed to go with your favorite outfit or left plain for those that prefer something simplistic.

Thank you to Daisy Ann Dog Designs for my fantastic competition prize.

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Getting started Show dog training

The importance of socialisation

The importance of socialisation
Some show dogs can be made or lost depending to how well they were socialised as a puppy. Even with perfect conformation and breed type, any dog needs the correct temperament to make it in the ring. A dog which is shy with people and wilts like a flower when you take them to new places, will never perform well enough to win in the ring. This said, it’s important to remember the difference with “reserved with strangers” and shy in the ring as some breed standards will describe the breed as the former.

General socialisation
To help with socialisation, take your new puppy everywhere you can with you. Expose him/her to as many new places as possible with as many different people, dogs, situations, noises, etc.

Also attend puppy training/socialisation classes to introduce new dogs and a different hall.

Specific socialisation for show dogs
Introduce from an early age, lots of different kinds of surfaces to walk on including grass, cement, concrete, carpet, linoleum and rubber matting so different surfaces are a norm for a show dogs.

Encourage people to pet her all over her body including down legs and picking up paws. This will help to simulate a judges movements of “going over” your dog and get him/her used to be touched. Also don’t forget to gt your pup used to having strangers looking at her teeth, just be careful not to over do this and never push it when a puppy is teething.

Confidence
All of these experiences will teach you pup to take everything in their stride and give them the confidence.

Confidence is a key trait found in all top show dogs that gives them the winning stride and attitude that judges love to see.

Of course, top top it all, the handler also needs to be confident.

 

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Top Tips

Top Tip #34

Top Tip #34
When your in the ring, look and feel proud of your dog. With the positive thinking, a confidence is exuded and a nice natural smile will appear on your face while you look at your dog. Your natural smile and confidence will paint a beautiful happy picture of the partnership.