Tag: Dog showing

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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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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.

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Top Tips

Top Tip #33

Top Tip #33
Once your dog has learnt to stand, teach it to hold the position by regularly putting their legs into the correct position and getting them to hold the pose, starting with a short time and building up. The idea is your dog should never move, so don’t ask for too long, too soon.

Even with my large breed dogs, I like to practise this on the table, as well as the floor.

Don’t forget to always end on a high and ensure your dog gets a high value reward or game at the end.

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Handling training Uncategorized

Handling with a cross breed

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”.

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Handling training Judging Uncategorized

Anatomy (points of a dog)

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.

 

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Getting started Show dog training

Space Perception – the science behind showing

Space Perception – the science behind showing

Handling a dog isn’t all glamour, there is some science behind it which I will try and explain one at a time.

“Spatial Perception is the ability to evaluate how things are arranged in space, and investigate their relations in the environment. Good spatial perception allows us to grasp the arrangement of our surroundings and our relationship to them. It keeps us from constantly colliding with the objects around us.”

Now, before you think I’m crazy, think about it. In a ring (normally square) there will be many things placed around the ring to be aware of including tables, other exhibitors and dogs, ringtape, stakes, and even flower arrangements, poles, spectators legs or drain covers.

It is important as a handler, you can quickly evaluate the space before moving, to miss any hazards which may hinder your dogs performance.

I have in the past seen many people run into tables, poles or other exhibitors for not looking where they are going, don’t let it be you! Stop, look and think where you can and can’t run in the ring!

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Getting started Show dog training

Getting your dog used to being “gone over”

Getting your dog used to being “gone over”
If you want to start showing your dog, no matter what their age, you must get them used to having their body touched.

You can do this by regularly doing a “hands on” body feel of your dog. Take both hands and go over your dog from top to toe. Start from the head and feel your way down the body. Down the front legs onto the feet. Up to the shoulders and back and around the ribs. Continue down the body towards the tail. Stroke down the hind legs (back legs). Touch the tail and gently lift it or put it down depending on the breed. If you have a male it must get used to having its testicles felt.

Also get your dog used to being touched at any time, often judges will re-check shoulder placement or muscles before making a final decision.

Each time you put your hands on your dog, do it slightly differently, as no two judges will be exactly the same!

And don’t forget lots of treat and praise to make it a positive experience!

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Handling training Show dog training

Clever dogs, bad fault

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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Handling training Judging

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.