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with less than sterling ethics, professional Once you have your show dog (and maybe you
handlers win because of favors, gifts and/or already do), you need training classes, patience,
actual money has changed hands. This isn’t and practice. Lots of practice! Both you and
an indictment of the dog sport or dog people, your dog need to learn to work together as a
it’s just the truth about human beings. Not all team so you can look smooth, confident, and
human beings, just a rare few, want to win at professional when you compete.
all costs. People like that exist in all walks of
life and all sports. Dog shows are no different. Finally, you need confidence. As with any
So, if you never want to deal with them, you’re endeavor, confidence comes with knowledge,
going to spend a lot of time alone. And if you’re practice, and experience. Here’s the good
dubious about the “happens in all sports” part, news - if you want those three things, they’re as
think about the Astros with their sign-stealing available to you as they are to anyone else. That
scandal, the Patriots with Deflate-Gate, Rosie means that if you want to win in the show ring,
Ruiz winning the Boston Marathon by taking you have as good a chance as anyone. And a
the subway… the list is long and inglorious. better chance than most, because you’re reading
It’s very rare in all sports, including dog this and learning what they don’t know. Yay,
sports, though it can happen. My best advice you!!
is to ignore any cheater that may cross your Resources
path and focus on the people who are in this
sport to enjoy dogs, friendly competition and • To find dog shows near you, visit the
interacting with a diverse group of people who Canine Chronicle Events Calendar at: http://
love dogs. caninechronicleshowcalendar.com/K9shows.
php?rand=653
So, what do you need to do to show your dog
and win? First, you need a dog that’s a good • To find kennel clubs near you, Google
representative of the breed. All dogs have flaws, “(nearest metro area) kennel club” or visit the
so focus on the outstanding attributes of the AKC Club Finder page at: https://webapps.akc.
dog. If you’re not exactly sure what that means, org/club-search/#/
attend a few dog shows, observe your breed
in the ring, and pay attention to the ones that Sandy Weaver is an author, consultant and profes-
win. Introduce yourself to some of the people sional speaker who works with veterinarians to create
at ringside, tell them you’re new and interested happier hospital cultures and more resilient teams.
in learning. Ask if you can talk with them after She also judges some Working and Non-Sporting
breed judging is completed and arrange to breeds. When she’s not traveling to consult, speak or to
spend time with the people who seem friendly judge, she’s spoiling her Siberian Husky.
and helpful when you talked with them. https://sandyjweaver.com
Understand that while judging is going on, Originally published in CanineChronicle, April 2021 -
they’re probably paying attention to the ring, www.caninechronicle.com
their dog(s) and what the judge is doing. So
don’t expect to have all your questions answered
until later in the day. Who knows? You may
discover a great breed mentor and a new friend!
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