Top Tip #31
Break each of the show training into smaller tasks.
Every exercise has a word (like stand, trot, turn) and a reward. If you get frustrated that your dog isn´t “getting it”, then play!
It is so important that your dog thinks that showing is fun and relates the training s being enjoyable. The most enjoyable dog to show is a dog which enjoys being in the ring and wants to please you.
Top Tip #28
Remember the show results are not final until the card/rosette is handed to you. Keep showing and presenting your dog to the judge until the card/rosette is in your hand.
Show Etiquette
Etiquette: the customary code of polite behaviour in society or among members of a particular profession or group (Oxford dictionary)
There always seems to be discussions about the show world and a lot of people believe that those in the show world are “bitchy”, “nasty”, unkind” or “unhelpful”. I’m not going to defend everyone, some people are, but this is no means the majority, half or even a quarter. In fact, it’s a very small percentage.
But, still it is important to be reminded of show etiquette of polite behaviour towards each other while at shows and while discussing shows.
Remember to smile, speak to new people in the breed and encourage them. Share your tips (or at least share the Winning Paws blog!).
Congratulate the winners
Have a laugh with friends
Don’t say bad things about other people or dogs in public
I saw a lovely thing on Facebook yesterday where someone offered to make and give a lead to a 9 year old handler who wanted one. I saw lots of congratulations flying around the internet to people who had done well at shows.
Lets remember to keep the show etiquette and all play our parts in being friendly and approachable to keep this hobby fun and inviting.
I think most/all of us feel sad and guilty when a new person is made to feel unwelcome. After all, they didn’t meet anyone who has probably read to the end of this post.
Like if you agree!
Winning Paws First Junior Handling Training session
Yesterday (Saturday, 18 August) was the first handling session I organised under the Winning Paws name. Having been a Junior Handler myself, I wanted to offer the chance for the juniors to attend a training session. I was so pleased I was able to offer this session for free and I enjoyed myself and learnt something, I hope the attendee’s did too. Numbers were kept to a minimum but allowed the handlers to train with a different group of people.
The weather was hot and this meant keeping the dogs in the shade and lots of breaks back inside where it was slightly cooler to allow dogs and handlers to have drinks and a rest. Lots of mini Q&A sessions did lead to some interesting discussions with parents getting involved too.
Well done to those who attended. You all listened well and wish you all the best for your future handling classes.
What’s planned next?
I plan to run some more training sessions in the future and already have a waiting list. If you would be interested in being the first to know about any future training sessions, please get in contact via the website and as soon as any events are planned, I will let you know before posting on the website events page and Facebook.
Future sessions will include;
Don’t forget, I’m also available for group bookings for pre-existing ringcrafts or groups. Contact me for more details and costs.
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!
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.
Top Tip #12
This is a showing “secret” we have only learn’t in the past few year ourselves and so I really want to share with everyone I can. From first hand experience I can’t rate highly enough the benefits your dog to see a chiropractor.
Chiropractors can help with a number of issues often caused by minor injury caused by twisting, falling, or just generally acting like mad dogs! For example, if your dogs movement “Isn’t quite right” then a chiropractor could help.
I would always recomend a McTimoney chiropractor.
Remember: Legally, chiropractors may only work with the permission of your veterinary surgeon; the reality is that often the veterinary surgeon may suggest chiropractic as part of the remedy and in practical terms this may mean working in collaboration with the veterinary team.
I thought I would put together all the championship show websites together for you all.
| Show name | Month | Location | Website | Printers |
| Boston & DCS | January | Newark | www.bostondcs.co.uk | Fosse Data |
| Manchester | January | Stafford | Higham Press | |
| Crufts | March | NEC, Birmingham | www.crufts.org.uk | Fosse Data |
| Scottish Breeds Canine Club | March | Edinburgh | Fosse Data | |
| United Kingdom Toydog Society | March | Stafford | Higham Press | |
| National Terrier Club | April | Stafford | www.nationalterrier.co.uk | Fosse Data |
| Hound Association of Scotland | April | Edinburgh | Fosse Data | |
| Working & Pastoral Breeds Association of Wales | April | Builth Wells | Fosse Data | |
| West of England Ladies Kennel Society | April | Malvern | Fosse Data | |
| Birmingham Dog Show Society | May | Stafford | www.nationaldogshowbirmingham.org.uk | Fosse Data |
| Scottish Kennel Club | May | Edinburgh | www.scottishkennelclub.org | Fosse Data |
| Bath Canine Society | May | Bath | Higham Press | |
| Southern Counties Canine Association | June | Newbury | www.southencountiesdogshow.co.uk | Fosse Data |
| Three Counties | June | Malvern | Higham Press | |
| Border Union Agricultural Society | June | Kelso | www.buas.org | Fosse Data |
| Blackpool & District Canine Society | June | Blackpool | www.blackpooldogshow.com | Fosse Data |
| Windsor Dog Show | June/ July |
Windsor | www.windsordogshow.org.uk | Higham Press |
| East of England Agricultural Society | July | Peterborough | www.eastofengland.org.uk | Fosse Data |
| National Working & Pastoral Breeds | July | Malvern | www.champdogs.co.uk/club/571 | Higham Press |
| Leeds Championship Dog Show | July | Harewood | Higham Press | |
| National Gundog Association | August | Malvern | www.nationalgundog.org | Fosse Data |
| Houndshow | August | Stafford | www.houndassociation.org.uk | Higham Press |
| Paignton & District Fanciers Association | August | Exeter | Higham Press | |
| Bournemouth Dog Show | August | Brockenhurst | Higham Press | |
| Welsh Kennel Club | August | Builth Wells | www.thewelshkennelclub.org.uk | Higham Press |
| Scottish Kennel Club | August | Edinburgh | www.scottishkennelclub.org | Fosse Data |
| City of Birmingham | August/ September |
Stoneleigh | www.birminghamcitydogshow.co.uk | Higham Press |
| Richmond Dog Show | September | Guildford | www.richmonddogshow.org.uk | Higham Press |
| Darlington Dog Show | September | Ripon | www.darlingtondogshowsociety.weebly.com | Higham Press |
| Driffield Dog Show | September | Wetherby | www.driffieldchampionshipdogshow.co.uk | Higham Press |
| Belfast Dog Show Society | September | Belfast | www.belfastdogshowsociety.org | Fosse Data |
| South Wales Kennel Association | October | Builth Wells | Fosse Data | |
| Gundog Society of Wales | October | Malvern | Fosse Data | |
| Midland Counties Canine Society | October | Stafford | Fosse Data | |
| Working & Pastoral Breeds Association of Scotland | November | Edinburgh | www.wpbas.co.uk | Fosse Data |
| Gundog Breeds Association of Scotland | November | Edinburgh | Higham Press | |
| British Utility Breeds Association | December | Malvern | Fosse Data | |
| Ladies Kennel Association | December | NEC, Birmingham | Higham Press |
Top Tip #9
Always keep training fun.
Training must be fun for both you and your dog to get the most out of it.Do this by playing games with your dog in training as a great reward.
If you are not in the right frame of mind for training in a happy, positive way then miss out the training and wait until you feel better.
Happy training!
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).