Tag: Show ring

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Getting started Show dog training

How do I get my dogs attention?

How do I get my dogs attention?
It’s a common question. Normally starts with “…at home they always respond, but they are too distracted at a show…”

Think about it, at home it’s just you and your dog and you have the treats, therefore, you are the person of highest value.

At a show, there are smells, other dogs, other people, other treats. The list goes on and it’s no wonder some dogs loose interest in their owner/handler.

Quite often you see this and there is the lacking bond between dog and owner/handler and where the dog lacks willingness to please it’s owner..

What can you do?
Short term, you need to be the most high value person/thing on the showground.  Using high value toys and treats will help.
Long term is more training. Get you and your dog on a one to one basis out to as many distracting areas and do some training. Not always show training, but tricks, basic obedience and have games. Ringcrafts can be great for also practice working on their attention while doing show ring training, likewise any training class you and your dog will enjoy together where there are many other distractions.

Case study
When Giles was younger he would easily get bored in the show ring if he was in a big class. As a pup he was used to classes of 2-3 and was always beaten by his sister, so never got a group experience either. So, when we came into bigger classes, his attention span would go. Standing around was boring!!!

My answer was simply to keep his attention. He loves to please, he loves his tricks too. In the ring I would ask for some quite and calm behaviors which he knew. His interest was back to me. A cuddle or two never went amiss either. This keeps his attention on me and by the time it’s his turn, well it’s just another behaviour I’m asking of him and he does it with a smile.

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Getting started Handling training Show dog training

One must queue….correctly!

Standing in line
When in a class, everyone will be in a line/queue. Here are a few pointers to remember when you are standing in a line with all other handlers.

Firstly, work out where your dog prefers to be in the line and try to get to that position. Some dogs show better if they are first, others are better going last. In mixed breed classes, normally the table dogs go to the front. However, some judges will ask for the smaller dogs to be at the end of the line so always listen for instructions from either the judge or steward upon entry into the ring.

When standing your dog in the line always leave yourself room in front, approximately 2 meters. This is your escape route if the handler behind you crowds you. If you find yourself too crowded you have a number of options;

  • If they have room politely ask the handler behind to move back.
  • Move to the end of the line.
  • Ask the steward if they can move people back.

Always try to keep in line with the dogs in front of you.  If you stand back towards the edge of the ring you appear shy and reserved.

If you stand too far forward you will appear to be pushy and forcing yourself on the judge.

Also, avoid getting boxed into a corner where your dog could get obscured from the judge’s vision. In this instance, either start a new line or show your dog across the corner.

Wherever you are in the line, ensure your dog is stood when the judge is looking at him. Always keep one eye on the judge and one on the dog at all times, checking that you dog hasn’t moved and nor has the judge. You always want the judge to be seeing your dog at his very best.

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Top Tips

Have confidence…

Have confidence…
When you go in to the ring, be with confident and think positive that you and your dog will work well together and enjoy it. This is likely to help you show and handle well in the ring.

We all have times when we have entered the ring thinking “The dogs’ going to play up” or “I don’t want to be here” and most likely come out saying, “He wouldn’t move” or “He’s being a right little monster”.

This is because your attitude will travel down the lead to the dog and they will pick up on it.

So remember, relax, have fun and enjoy each show,

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Getting started

What to take to a show?

What to take to a show?
So what do you all pack for a show? Below are the top 10 general things to take and then top 10 things that make up the show bag.

What to put in the car
1)      Dog(s)
2)      Dog Water
3)      Water Bowel
4)      Your Water/drinks
5)      Your food
6)      Spare dog towels
7)      Rain coat (you and dogs!) or a cool coat for hot days!
8)      Show bag
9)      Spare dog lead
10)   Dog cage and cage plate for ring number (if used)

What’s in the show bag
1)      Show leads
2)      Poo bags
3)      Slobber  towel
4)      Arm band/ringclip
5)      Brushes/combs
6)      Bait/reward (could be a toy)
7)      Dry shampoo
8)      Towel
9)      Small or collapsible water bowel
10)    Benching chain

Leave a comment if you can think of anything else that you consider important to take to a show!

Categories
Top Tips

Top Tip #16

Top Tip #16
Always keep the lead neat. A dangly, untidy lead can distract the judges eye from the dog, and also can upset your dog, or make them want to chase it.

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Getting started

The ring procedure

The ring procedure
You have your first showing coming up, what can you expect when you go in the ring?

Every class you go into will be different in some way depending on class size and the judges preferences; however the structure will normally go something like the following

  1. The steward will call the class in so enter the ring if it is your class. At Open shows the steward will have your number; at Champ shows you will already have your number from your bench.
  2. Set your dog up along one side of the ring in a line with all the other dogs. If unsure ask the steward where the judge would like you.
  3. The judge will walk down the line to get first impressions so it is important to have your dog stood correctly.
  4. The judge may or may not ask you to go round the ring in circuit all together. Listen carefully to the judge’s instruction.
  5. The first dog in the line gets ready for table work to be assessed individually and all other dogs and handlers can relax and wait their turn, however still being alert and watching what is going on.
  6. The judge will go over the dog to assess the dogs’ conformation with their hands.
  7. The judge will want to then see the dog move individually. Normally this would be a triangle and up and down, or an up and down and round to the end.
  8. After movement is completed, take your dog to the end of the line and the judge will then move onto the next dog.
  9. After all dogs have been assessed individually in the class all dogs stand in the line like at the beginning of the class for the judge to look at.
  10. The judge may or may not then ask for all dogs to to go round the ring together, or could ask to see movement again in any number of dogs.
  11. The judge will then pick out his winner, and then second, third and so on until all places at the show are filled.  The judge may also split the class. Pulling out in no order the dogs he/she wants to place and letting the other handlers leave.  (This can happen as many times as the judge feels necessary in big classes.) The judge may want to see the dogs stood and moved again until he/she has made up his/her mind.  The judge will then place.
  12. Handlers who have not won a prize will be asked to leave the ring by either the judge or steward.
  13. Once you have been pulled out for a place stand your dog up again. The judge can always change their mind on the placing, you have not finished until the rosette/card is in your hand.

Remember to congratulate the winners and thank the judge at EVERY show, even if you don’t agree.

Categories
Getting started Show dog training

Jack of all trades…..

Jack of all trades…..
One of the greatest myths of show dogs that I hear, is that you  can’t do anything else with them. So many people come to me saying that they have been told to stop basic/puppy obedience and stop teaching sit, down etc if they want to continue showing and they should only teach their dog stand

To me this is one of the biggest myths, although you will need to work harder if you want to teach your dog more. Just make sure you work evenly on teaching your dog to do everything that you want to do with your dog.

To me, basic puppy training with a local obedience club is paramount in any of my dogs training to be well socialised pets (and show dogs) and there is no reason why you can’t compete in obedience one day and go to a show dog the next day or throw in some agility, gundog work or Rally-O while you’re at it!

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Top Tips

Top Tip #13

Top Tip #13
Know your dogs faults or bad habits and remember these. Be honest to yourself about the faults.

Also, know the breed standard of the breed you are showing.

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Top Tips

Top Tip #10

Top Tip #10
Companion shows are a great place to get practice for new puppies before their first show, or for dogs that may need to gain confidence. The large class sizes, lots of dogs in all shapes and sizes and a relaxed atmosphere can do wonders.

They are also great days out for chatting to local dog friends, especially if you go to Ringcraft in the area!

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Getting started Judging

Judging – when and where to start

Judging – when and where to start
I want to try and explain how you start judging after you have decided that is the next step you want to take in your hobby.

Firstly, a general rule I have learnt from seminars and have agreed with based on my own experience is to have at least been showing for 5 years. This way you will have ring/show experience as an exhibitor and maybe done some stewarding along side an experienced steward.

Next is the seminars. None are required before you start judging, although I would recommend to anyone that they try to complete them before judging. There are three Kennel Club seminars and then Breed Clubs run breed specific seminars.
The Kennel Club Rules and Regulations
The Kennel Club Conformation and Movement
The Kennel Club Hands on Assessment
Breed specific seminar (Run by the breed clubs, go on one for your breed of interest)

Once you have completed these, you will have (hopefully) have learn’t all the general basics/theories of judging.

For Young Kennel Club (YKC) members age 16-25 I can personally recommend the YKC Judging Workshops. I attended the first one and it was fantastic, I can’t recommend them enough.

Another good start for judging is to judge either Companion shows and/or Matches. Starting at lower levels gives you the chance to be in the ring and make decisions where the atmosphere is more relaxed.

Please note; one thing that really gets to a lot of show Secretary’s is judges who push themselves by asking for/begging for appointments. If you have done the seminars and are polite to people, you will soon find the judging appointments flying in. There is never an excuse to ask for them (In my opinion).