Tag: show dog

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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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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.

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I’m just a dog breeder’s husband

A fitting post for Valentine’s Day I feel. My apologies to all those who wish this to be ‘just another day’ with no mention of the ‘V’ word!

I give you, the poem ‘I’m just a dog breeder’s husband’. I hope you all enjoy it.

I’m just a dog breeder’s husband,
I no longer rule my domain.
Even if kindly invited,
from opinions I wisely refrain.
I’m just a glorified kennel boy
of minor importance I know.
It seems my primary function
is merely providing the dough.
Now dog breeding is not inexpensive,
as you all no doubt are aware –
but the problem’s not so much the money
as the bustle, the wear and the tear.
Having studied the layback of shoulder
and becoming an expert on feet,
I still have not learned to give worm pills
or how much the puppy should eat.
My spouse will spend hours grooming
her Bred By Exhibitor bitch.
But when it comes to scratching my back,
her thought is to let the thing itch.
Some day I hope that my wife’ll
take me wandering to some foreign vale,
instead of inspecting the stifle
of some Special stud at Hinsdale.
Off in a crowded hotel room
after the dog show is o’er,
someone questions the judges decision
while they reach for another drink more
It appears that his eyesight is failing,
his errors in judgment immense.
In fact if I did not know better
you’d doubt if he had any sense.
One finds that the amateur’s bungling
is no match for professional skills.
A handler can hide what the owner admits
as he tries hard his conscience to still.
The din and the utter confusion
of everyone talking at once
leaves one weary, hoarse and irascible
and the next day a bleary eyed dunce
Sometimes late in the evening,
I’m asked if I do not agree
that Pottowattamies Bridget
Is somewhat out at the knee.
But before I can answer the question
I find my answer ignored –
for some inexplicable reason
my questioner’s suddenly bored.
I’m only a dog breeders husband,
not that I mean to complain –
but I find certain aspects amazing
when I aspire my role to explain.
I know at least where I’m going –
I’m rapidly going to seed.
But I’ve learned about Winner’s Bitches
I married the Best of the Breed
Author Unknown
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Handling training Show dog training

Give the dog an edge by handling/training

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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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.