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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Tag: handling
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Top Tip #11
Top Tip #11
Don’t let your dog get into a habit of pacing out on walks. Try to get them into a correct trot as much as possible when lead walking.
Allowing them to pace all the time will build up the wrong muscles and could make them more likely to pace in the ring.
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The Three Turns
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’.
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Top Tip #6
Top Tip #6
Watch the top show dogs and their handlers and mimic the handler when you see something you like.
You will learn so much just by watching others, especially those in your breed, or a breed handled in a similar way.
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Top Tip #4
Top Tip #4
Don’t let the dog stress you out when mis-behaving. If you start loosing your patience, they will only get worse and play you up more. Instead, take a deep breath and start again.
Easier said than done but if you get stressed with your dog it will only go down the lead.
Also watch for this if you are getting someone else who you don’t know to show your dog. I have notice in the past where handlers think they can handle any dog and they show their own dogs, or well trained dogs to near perfection, but when they are given a not so well trained, or a naughty dog, I have witness them loosing patience and either yanking the dog around, or worse. 🙁 There’s never a need for this in my opinion. If you need to, find a handler who you can get to know and start to trust, if possible ask them to do some training with your dog to build a bond before heading to a show.
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Top Tip #3
Top Tip #3
Always keep an eye on what your dogs doing.
Your dog might be friendly, but this doesn’t mean all other dogs are. Don’t allow your dog to just wander up to strange dogs for the safety of your own dog.
If you have a male, do not let them eyeball other males. Especially ringside as it can upset dogs in the ring if even a small to-do breaks out.
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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
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Waiting your turn
Waiting your turn
Ah, a British established hobby which involves queuing, who would have thought!
This is the bit where the judge looks at the dogs individually which can leave a lot of waiting in line for you and your dog. However, this doesn’t mean the judge isn’t assessing your dog. Often judges will look around and a dog can catch their eye for either being fantastic, or poor.
Think about, is your dog happy while he is waiting, showing a good expression and wagging his tail? Or is he standing there with his head hung low or tail tucked under? An alert dog is more likely to catch the judges eye with the judge thinking “Wow, can’t wait to put my hands on that dog, looks like it could be my winner.”
Many handlers also use this time to chat to each other without a care about what their dog is doing. I have known exhibitors to be so busy chatting that they did not realise that the judge had finished the last dog and was now taking a last look round. Guess where they didn’t come! If you do want to have a chat with fellow exhibitors, remember you must also keep an eye on your dog and the judging, or wait until you are out of the ring for a really good natter!
Remember, standing around can be boring for your dog, talk to him/her and if he/she is looking a bit fed up the have a little play, (so long as it does not interfere with other exhibitors), and gee him up. I personally use quick little trick to keep Giles’ attention. He loves to do his little tricks, so anything that can keep him entertained and on the spot so not disturbing other dogs can help keep him happy. He also loves a cuddle and a chat! Find what can motivate your dog! Make it an enjoyable experience so they don’t see standing in line boring.
Ideally you want your dog to be standing at ease, ready to be pulled into a show pose in a matter of seconds. I have had it described to me (many, many years ago) thus;
‘A dog and handler can be likened to a soldier. Standing to Attention, (Show pose), Standing at Ease, (ready to show), and Standing Easy (relaxed).’
Winning Paws can help you find some small motivational techniques to use in the ring and teach you how to use them so not to disturb your fellow exhibitors.
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Dress Code
I’ve been having a dig around some old documents written for our Junior Handlers at Stevenage Ringcraft by myself and my Dad (Ray McDonald). I thought I would start sharing them on this blog, no point them just staying on my hard-drive! So here’s for the first one I thought I would share. I think this was written by Ray McDonald and a few inputs from me!
Dress Code
It is well known that handlers dress smartly. There is no need to dress over the top with a dinner dress/suit but at the same time jeans and t-shirt are just too scruffy. In all breeds the dog is presented well with most breeds being bathed and trimmed before a show and having a good brush at the show to make them presentable, so why not make yourselves presentable as well.
Also remember while looking for a suit, the colour of the dog you are showing. A black dog gets lost against a black suit. So is not the best colour. Try and find a colour that will compliment your dog to its best, dark dogs stand out against light colours and visa versa.
Don’t forget, you don’t have to be in these clothes all day, take them with you and get changed at the show before and after you go in the ring (highly recommend for the young ones who want to play in the mud while not showing or the dry clean only suit.).
For girls:
Skirt or trouser suit or Jacket and trousers/skirt
Blouse or t-shirt
Long hair tied back in your choice. Make sure it stays out of your eyes.
Sensible flat shoes that are comfortable for running in and have grip.
The Mature ladies may want to think about investing in a comfy sports bra.
Do Not wear trainers, high heels (try running in stilettos on grass!)
Do Not wear short or long skirts. Knee length gives you room to move and long enough to be sensible. Long flowing skirts will flap into your dog.
Do Not wear lots of dangly jewellery.
Boys:
Suit
Shirt
Tie
Trousers and shirt are ideal for the warmer weather
Waistcoat
Sensible flat shoes with grip
Long hair tied back
Do Not wear trainers
Do Not wear jeans
Do Not wear shorts
If you really want you may wear a skirt!