Top Tip #7
Always congratulate those who win. Even if you don’t agree with the placings, a polite well done is all that is needed.
There is never an excuse for muttering negative comments for other exhibitors/judges to hear.
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Tag: ringcraft
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Top Tip #2
Top Tip #2
Know and understand your dogs faults
By knowing your dogs faults will allow you as a handler to either disguise them, or understand why another dog beats you. Although we all like to think our dogs are perfect, reality is that the perfect dog hasn’t been bred yet.
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Back to basics
Back to basics
The basic points of showing your dog
You are there to show YOUR DOG. To emphasise the good points and minimise any faults.
You want the judge’s thoughts on YOUR DOG.
You want to leave the judge with a lasting impression of YOUR DOG.
You want to persuade the Judge to put YOUR DOG first.
GOOD HANDLING will help achieve all of the above.
“A good handler can make a poor dog look good, whereas a poor handler can make an excellent dog look poor.”
Guidelines for showing
1) Treat your dog with respect
There is nothing worse than seeing someone mis-treat a dog at a show, or drag them round the ring, or force them to something they don’t want to. Make each and every show fun for your dog and remember, you want them to enjoy showing!
2) Always be polite to the officials and other exhibitors
A polite thank-you to the judge, and a well done to other exhibitors costs nothing. Even if they are your sworn enemy, you being polite to them will only get them wondering. Also think about all the people who are watching around the ring.
Also, remember that dog shows are run by a committee who give up their time to provide a show for you. Accept human errors graciously and forgive when something doesn’t go to plan on the day.
3) Dress appropriately for the job in hand and to compliment your dog.
See more details under What To Wear to a Dog Show or Dress Code
The importance of Ringcraft classes
Most people find it easier to learn in one to one or small group situations and many trainers find those who have one to one lessons will learn much quicker. This happens on all walks of life from school education to dog training!
However, Ringcraft classes still are important to you and your dog’s training.
The difference is in one to one sessions you and your dog get individual attention, having time to listen and talk to you and work though many ideas for an hour (or maybe more). At Ringcraft you can be sharing a two-three hour session with 20-30 other people and dogs, without the time and individual attention that you may need.
But why are Ringcraft lessons so important?
It’s quite simple, they are regular (weekly) and cheap enough to attended regularly (price from £1-£4). They are great for socialisation with other dogs of all types and sizes and you can get a few different people to go over your dog and get advice from. They are also great for puppies where the socialisation is so important and also ideal for experienced handlers who just need to practice somewhere different with their latest pup.
Ringcraft is also a great social evening for you, where you will meet other local people with the same interest (dogs!). You will find these same familiar, friendly faces at your local shows.
Ringcraft classes can offer so much and are different to one to one session. I have been a trainer alongside my parents at Stevenage Ringcraft for many years now which was set up by my Grandparents. We are all so proud of any of our Ringcraft ‘babies’ who do well at shows, or other disciplines and we know many other Ringcraft trainers who feel the same way.
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Nothing in life comes for free
Nothing in life comes for free
I saw this picture the other day and just had to share with you all. It is so true on two aspects and worth remembering at all times when training and handling your dog.
Firstly there’s the judge asking for a free stack (or stand as we would say in the UK!) This is becoming more common for judges to ask for a free stand, normally at the end of the movement. This gives the judge a chance to see the dog stand in its own way and doesn’t allow the good handler to hide any faults. Therefore it is important to teach all dogs to free stand and extra work put into those normally stacked.
Secondly there is the dogs thoughts. A dog will rarely do anything for free, they want payment. Remember to reward your dog when they do what you want correctly. This can be with food, toys, fuss or verbal praise. It’s important you let your do know when they do something correct, they will then repeat the behaviour to get the reward again.
What treats or toys do you use to reward your dog?
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Showing Vs Handling
The difference between handling and showing
I’ve been ask to explain the difference between showing and handling, and trying to find the best way to start and finish this blog is proving difficult. Firstly I would like to note that these are my opinions and each handler/judge may not agree with what I look for in a good handler.
Showing your dog and handling your dog are worlds apart, yet so similar!
When you judge a breed class, you have a breed standard, a blue print of the perfect dog that each judge looks for and while a judge will look past the handler’s skills, a skilled handler can make an OK dog look good, while a bad handler can make a great dog look poor. Handling classes is where you are judged on your skills while remembering some golden rules such has never getting between the dog at the judge.
What I look for in a good handler is one who stand their dog correctly and be aware if it moves, they can move the dog at the correct gait and keep the correct movement while performing the patterns asked, one who encourages their dog, talks to their dog, is a sympathetic handler to the dog and polite and considerate to other handlers, the judge and other officials in the ring.
A good handler will blend into the background so the dog stands out, they move at one with the dog and the bond can be seen between the dog and handler. A polished performance. This is everything that makes a good handler in the show ring and in the handling ring.
All clear as mud isn’t it!
Remember: Handling classes are about showing off your handling skills, not showing off yourself and although it’s deemed you should present yourself well with your attire, this does not make you a better handler than someone who maybe isn’t dressed as well. (I have beaten competition, including my own father, when wearing jeans and a hoodie!)
If anyone wants to learn more about Junior or Adult Handling, Marina Scots website juniorhandling.co.uk has some great hints and tips. There are also a few books available
Junior Handling the White Way by Marina White (now Scott)
Junior Handling by Felix Cosme
Junior Handling by Jacqui Hurley
There’s also Jacqui Hurley’s DVD on Junior handling and Marina Scott’s new Junior Handling DVD
Take a look though the Our Dogs and Dog World shops for lots more books and DVDs too.
There are many ringcraft classes up and down the country that offer handling training and of course you can always contact Winning Paws for private or small group sessions for either improving your handling in the show ring, or for handling classes.
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Where to find Dog Shows
Where to find shows
I remember growing up with a folder full of schedules we picked up at shows. They were filed neatly in closing date order, and once entered they went in show date order. A very easy, simple system that worked (most of the time!)
Now it seems so much more difficult. Most shows have their schedules online and to cut costs they are printing less to put out at other local shows. But with so many printers around, they are all held on different websites. Some shows you can enter online, others have to be postal entries.
To help, Dog Show Central has come to our aid, keeping many show details in one place, weekly emails of shows with entries closing (which I fully recommend you sign up for) and much more for every dog show person.
Below I have collated links to Dog Show schedule printers in the UK.
Printers that offer online entries
1) Fosse Data
2) Higham Press
3) Canine Information Directory
4) Arena print
5) Cavalier Impressions
Printers without online entries just to download the schedule
1) EJC Printing
2) Print Matters
3) ADP Printers
Other ways of finding shows
1) Dog World Newspaper
2) Our Dogs Newspaper
3) Starprint Diary (lists all show details and dates)
4) Dog Show Central
Most Championship shows and a lot of Open shows are now developing their own websites and Facebook pages too, so have a quick search on the internet to you can keep up with information.
If I have forgotten any good links, please let me know and I will add them to this post.
How do you give the dog an edge by handling/training?
Each and every dog is different and therefore may need to be handled/shown slightly differently to get the most out of them. By getting the most out of your dog will help them have that extra edge in the ring above their competition which can be the difference between Best of Breed and unplaced.
Top tips to get the best from your dog (things to think about)
1) Find the right lead
2) What motivates your dog
3) How does it best like being handled
4) What are they sensitive to
5) Make sure you are relaxed
6)Remember your dog has to want to do this for you
7) How much can you talk to your dog?
Getting the best from your dog is often trial and error and this is where One to One training at Winning Paws can help. We can use our experience to help you and your dog perform together.
We will assess what you do and follow up with advice and guidance on next steps. We have a range of tools that can help.
Case studies
Below are two case studies of dogs I handle/have handled. These tips won’t work for every dog, as I said above, each dog is different.
1) The pacing Gordon Setter. I have handled this Gordon Setter since she came out as a 6 month old puppy but being a puppy a young setter she was prone to pacing. I had been handling her on a leather slip lead at a couple of shows and all the usual tricks to stop pacing weren’t proving 100% successful. One show I found a gold chain slip lead in the bottom of the bag, and from that day forward she has never paced since (it just cost her owner a new black chain and black leather lead!)
2) The tail of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (Toller). Tollers are expected to hold their tails up when alert. Judges like to see the correct tail carriage when the dogs trot in the ring. By watching this lad in the ring we were able to notice he ran with his tail up, if he was allowed to run out in front slightly. Giving him that extra length of lead and changing the position of the lead has led to a dog that goes round the ring with a lovely tail carriage! (Of course, when he see’s something like ducks, his tail always goes up, but it wasn’t feasible to take ducks to a dog show!)
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What to wear to a dog show
What should you wear to a show?
This is something that often comes up in discussions, what should you be wearing in the ring, what colours are best etc.
So, here’s a list of guidelines to think about when choosing your showing outfit;
1) Comfort – You will spend a lot of time standing up so comfortable shoes and clothes that YOU feel comfortable in are a must.
2) Suitability for the weather – Good old British weather will never let us down and will give us a variety of weather, possibly in one day! So make sure you have something suitable for the hot, cold or wet!
3) Colour – you want the colour to compliment your dog. A black dog will get lost in black clothes. So choose something that makes your dog stand out from you.
4) Where to put the bait/toy/bags – Think about does your outfit have pockets or do you need a bait bag?
But what is acceptable and what isn’t?
Today I was at a show in freezing conditions. The show is half inside for small dogs and half outside for the big dogs. Knowing the temperatures and show I opted for many layers including thermal leggings and tops, nice thick 3 in 1 coat and my lovely thermal boots, designed for use in ice and snow! Was a smart today? No! But it followed my guidelines above!
Generally Champ shows are seen as smarter than open shows, and of course Crufts is the occasion many people will buy a new outfit for.
So, for smartness a suit, one that compliments your dog in colour and is comfortable to move your dog in. A smart pair of jeans with a jacket can look just as good and many people will feel more comfortable in this then they might a full suit. Others might prefer a pair of trousers with a smart blouse/shirt. This is where comfort really is important, not just how it feels, but how you feel in your outfit.
Another idea that many people go by when in the ring is wearing something that stands out from the other exhibits. Something the judge may remember to go “I really liked the dog whose handler had a bright pink jacket on.” However, these days you see lots of bright colour jackets/suits around the ring. The fashion is now turning to Swarovski Crystal to help handlers ‘sparkle’ in the ring.
Remember, you spend plenty of time getting your dog ready, spend a bit of time on yourself too!
- So here’s me on a cold day, dressed for the cold weather
- And here I am smart as can be (It was Giles’ first champ show)
I will finish this blog with a list of what not to wear;
1) High heels
2) Low cut tops (think about what will happen if you bend over!)
3) Very short skirts (men too!)
4) Dangly jewellery
5) Anything see though
Thank you to Ray McDonald Photography for use of the photo’s
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Welcome! The first blog post
Ok, so I guess this is the introduction to the blog for Winning Paws.
The website has been designed and is live – www.winningpaws.co.uk
And the Facebook page is growing in numbers daily – www.facebook.com/winningpaws
So what was left for me to do? Well the blog!
What I aim to achieve with this blog is to answer some FAQs regarding showing, training, handling, pick up on popular discussions and to feedback on any successes from myself or others. So check back often to see the latest hot topics!
If you have any ideas of what topics could be included in the blog, email me at roxanne@winningpaws.co.uk.
Please check back for future blogs and share with your friends.