Top Tip #20
Have “control” of the lead.
Learn to fold the lead in your hand to the desired length quickly, calmly and neatly.
In handling classes this is a must, in breed classes it looks professional and gives a cleaner performance.
Shadowing
What is shadowing?
This is a technique used in handling classes. While the dog is standing, the judge will walk round the dog, or to the other side and expect the handler to move out the way not breaking the golden rule of never getting between the dog and the judge. This means the handler must become the judges “shadow”.
For shadowing, the handler must be able to walk around the dog without the dog moving. This can be practised anywhere and simply the dog needs to learn to stay.
It is easier with a stacked breed where you can hold the head, harder with a free stood dog.
To start with, I would stand the dog in the normal position. From here I will do slight movements, commanding the dog to stay and then praising. Building this up from just little movements, helps teach the dog what you want. I.e a free stood breed, while standing in front of the dog, my first movements would just be shifting my body weight.
Then you want to move onto taking a small step to the side. I.e if you are top and tailing your dog, I would take a small step to my left, giving the stay command, going back to the original position and praising the dog.
Keep building this up until your moving more and more. Praise the dog while they are standing still only. If they move, start again.
This technique builds the dogs confidence and teaches them the command.
Have fun training!
The great debate – Junior Handling
There has been a lot of debate recently on forums, Facebook and the dog papers regarding Junior Handling and what is/isn’t correct, what judges should be looking for etc.
This has been something of discussion for many years ringside and amongst friends. Many years ago I remember Jackie Hurley (Jersey Junior Handling Association, JJHA) spent time offering Junior Handling judges days based on her thoughts about handling. Something I have not seen anyone else do. I think she also produced a judges list based on new judges and experienced judges.
My pet hate has always been handlers that can’t perform the basics, although can jump around their dog and want to do patterns maybe not seen in the breed rings!
I like to see handlers who can show their dog to its best advantage. When asked for a triangle I expect to be shown the dogs movement. So when a handler is showing the rear or front movement, the dog should be in the judge’s line of sight without the judge having to move. When showing the side movement, the dogs should be parallel to the judge to ensure the dog’s movement for the judge is seen at the best angle. Therefore straight lines are important; however corners are a different matter. The faster the dog and handler is moving, the harder it is to do a tight turn while keeping the speed. So therefore a good handler will do a turn which will keep the dog moving.
On an up and down, the straight lines are as important as in the triangle, so the judge can view and asses the front and rear movement. The turn at the top can then come into debate. Should it be a show turn (keeping the dog between the handler and judge) or an about turn which will break that rule? The about turn is used in the show ring as taking a dog round you will keep them moving, although sometimes when showing your dog, a show turn is better for a particular dog for a few reasons! So should both be allowed? Or do we keep the challenge for the handlers to not get between the dog and the judge?
So what about send-ons? This can be asked of either when doing circuits or when a handler is asked for a straight up and down and round to the end. In the breed ring we would break the rule of getting between the dog and the judge, but in the handling we would do a movement possibly never seen in the show ring. It’s a movement that has to be trained and isn’t naturally to a dog. I have seen many handlers who can’t seem to gasp this movement. But you do have to train the dog to do this and gain their confidence.
But overall, IN MY OPINION, Junior Handling should be about judging how good the handler is at showing their dog. It doesn’t matter if the dog they take in isn’t the greatest example of it’s breed, or even a crossbreed, but does the handler allow the judge to be able to assess their dog in all ways while blending into the background.
Maybe it’s time to get a group together of ex juniors and parents who can produce a “Breed Standard” blueprint for handlers and have a judges list, seminars etc which will help societies select judges that know about junior handling?
Top Tip #14
Remember at all times you are there to show your dog, not yourself, even in handling classes, a good handler is the one able to show their dog of to it’s best and will not distract the judges eye from the dog.
The Three Turns
There are three turns that can be used in handling classes to ensure that you never get between the dog and the judge. When showing your dog in the breed ring, these are less important.
The Inward Turn
The dog and handler both turn on the spot, inwards towards each other and the lead is passed to the other hand. This is typically used at the top of an ‘up & down’ when the judge has moved to the left to view the profile movement of the dog. It is also used in the ‘T’ and ‘L’.
The Show Turn
The dog is slowed and turned on the spot as the handler moves round the outside of the dog. This is used at the top of an ‘up & down’ when the judge has moved to the right to view the profile movement of the dog and is the easiest turn to do if the judge stays in position.
The About Turn (In front of the judge)
This time the handler slows and walks backwards around the dog turning the dog on the spot. This is used at the when turning in front of the judge when joining two patterns together. E.g. between a Triangle and an ‘up & down’.
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).
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.
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.