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untimely elimination, but you won't have to or not, you won. Your progress with your dog
stand there, helpless, while someone else takes
action. And when you have a poop bag, you can
be the hero for another exhibitor if their dog
eliminates in the ring.
7. Don’t chat up the judge.
Remember that the judge has two minutes per
dog. That's all–just 2 minutes. The more you
talk, the more the judge may be checking their
mental watch and feeling pushed for time. The
judge doesn't care in that moment about most
of what you may want to tell them. Bitch in
season? Say that. Puppy's first time showing?
Say that. Your first time in the ring, ever? Say
that. Don't tell the story of how a grooming
table fell yesterday and spooked your dog and
you don't know if your dog is going to want
to stand for exam today because your dog was
nervous coming into the building and scared
of the grooming table even though he's never
been scared of the grooming table ever before
as a matter of fact he jumps on the grooming
table at home and now you don't know if he'll
ever be happy with a grooming table ever again
and you hope he'll even stand for you today ...
STOP IT!!! Yes, this happens. Yes, it is annoying.
Excuses are for losers. Don't be this handler.
Offer useful information in as few words as
possible, respond if asked a question and follow
instructions. Help the judge stay on time and
focused.
8. Give each judge at least three
shots before you write them off.
Especially if they're newly approved in your
breed and still permit, by definition that means
they're still learning. And the best judges ask for
feedback from their breed mentors after their
early judging assignments so they can fine-tune
what they've learned. Great judges aren't born;
they're the ones who want to do a great job so
they continue the learning process long after
they've been approved for a breed. Unless the
judge is heavy handed or just plain rude, give
them three chances to show you what their
priorities are in your breed before you put them
on the "do not show" list. And by all means,
keep that list–no sense in wasting entry fees on
judges you KNOW don't like your style of dog.
9. If your dog tried, you won.
If your dog worked with you and sort of got it
right, whether they actually got it 100% right
is progress in teamwork, and teamwork takes
time to build. Celebrate the victories that you
and your dog achieve on your way to the goal of
earning points, Championships and whatever
goals you have for the two of you. When you
celebrate the little victories with your dog you
make it more fun for them. They feel your
energy and enthusiasm and want to make you
feel like that again. Winning is far more subtle
than many people know. Celebrate your wins,
no matter how small.
10. Roll with it.
Stuff happens. Tires get flat. Dogs get sick.
People bang things around your stressed dog.
Roll with it. Too many people create drama out
of random "stuff." That's not only unnecessary,
it's counter-productive. If you want to create
and maintain an atmosphere of success around
you, you have to let go of the stuff that happens.
It's not personal ... it's not about you... it's just
stuff. Roll with it, and when you do, it's more
likely that your dog will, too.
11. Show the dog you have today.
Your dog is not a robot. Your dog, no matter
how temperamentally stable and well-trained,
is going to have "off" days. Some of them will
happen in the show ring. You may have a day
where you just can't get your dog to bait, where
they won't hold the rear feet in the proper
position, where they just drag themselves
around the ring instead of showing off that
beautiful side gait. It's going to happen. Be ready
for it and be okay with it. If the offness persists,
see a vet. Otherwise, chalk it up to the fact that
your dog is a living being –and just like you,
sometimes just feels a bit droopy. Even if you
and your dog are in the final cut for Best of
Breed at your National Specialty and your dog
quits because they’re tired, remember your dog
is a living being and sometimes can’t live up to
your hopes and dreams. It’s disappointing. And
you still get to take your favorite dog home.
Sandy Weaver is an author, consultant and pro-
fessional speaker who works with veterinarians
to create happier hospital cultures and more re-
silient teams. She also judges some Working and
Non-Sporting breeds. When she’s not traveling
to consult, speak or to judge, she’s spoiling her
Siberian Husky and Standard Poodle.
https://www.centerforworkplacehappiness.com
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