Unsporting exhibitors
Unfortunately, in dog showing, there are a few people who feel the only way to win is to be unsporting towards their fellow exhibitors. However, if you are unlucky enough to come up against one of these people it’s good to know what they are likely to do, and how you can help yourself.
This can be likewise for newer exhibitors, who maybe just haven’t thought that what they are doing is unsporting and can be considered nobbling another exhibit!
Likely unsporting tactics can include throwing bait, excessive use of a squeaky toy, getting too close to your dog on the stand, or on the move, or trying to distract the handler.
Throwing/ dropping of bait
Some exhibitors like to throw bait to get an alert look from their dog, their dogs are trained to just watch the food that is thrown, but your dog may want to chase it to eat! Likewise some exhibitors may just drop bait on the floor.
To overcome this, teach your dog to leave food on command. This is a good training tip for all dogs, not just show dogs. Put food on the floor when training and ask your dog to leave. Any half decent companion dog training class will teach this activity and some Ringcraft classes may also help you with this if you ask.
Training your dog to “head up” will also help if the smell is left on the ground. (Yes, this is all about training your dog for all possible scenarios.)
Squeaky toy
Squeaky toys can be difficult to deal with if you have a toy obsessed dog, but again, training your dog for the possibility of coming across this can help. Teach your dog the command “watch me” to encourage them to always focus on you. Once you have a strong “watch me” you can get people around you to squeak toys, encourage your dog to ignore the sound and watch you. You will have to reward with something of even higher value though!
Also, always take in a multitude of items for your dog. I often have different treats, rabbit skin and a squeaky toy and although will rarely use, I can if someone is distracting my dog!
Boxed into a corner
Some exhibitors, deliberately, or not, may box you into a corner if you allow them. Do not stand your dog in a corner, either set up across the corner, or if you feel boxed in, take your dog to the end of the line and set up there. Do this quietly and calmly, don’t upset your dog by getting agitated.
Pushing their dog forward in the line / covering your dog from the judges view
When you are standing in the line, make sure when you enter into the ring, you leave enough room from the dog in front of you. If someone comes in behind you that crowds your dog from behind, you have a little room in front to move forward, so still giving you a decent space for your dog.
If an exhibitors steps out of line and moves forward, covering your dog, just move your dog to the back of the line, or ask the steward to space everyone out a bit more.
Running up your dog’s rear end
Sometimes you get a handler who runs their dog up your dog’s rear end. I would get your dog used to other dogs running close to them, so it doesn’t upset them if it happens, but feel free to suddenly stop and ask the exhibitor if they would like to go in front. Hopefully though, most judges will spot this happening and sort it out for you.
Hope this covers most of the situations you may unfortunately come up against. If you hve experienced any of the above, discuss it here.