Page 26 - Chow LIfe - Spring 2019

she’ll put a show puppy in a pet home but the new Dog Shows” and then, read them. The newbie may
owners agree to allow her to take it and complete its not understand all of it but at least encourage them
championship at her own expense. Some of those to read through it. Just one of the things they will
owners get interested because they go to watch find there are the complete descriptions of each of
“Fluffy” being shown and decide it’s something they’d the dog show classes. Tell them to ask which to enter
like to participate in. after they’ve read the descriptions – by reading they
should have at least narrowed the possibilities down.
Encourage newbies to go and watch a few shows
before jumping in. Help them find what classes are Another thing to consider – tell the newbie to always
available in their area and tell them that once they take a crate. Don’t drag the dog around for hours and
have a puppy, they should make the time to go. In then be upset that it’s exhausted when they go into
fact it wouldn’t hurt for them just to go and observe the ring. Besides, many shows don’t allow dogs in the
the classes a time or two as well. They also need to restrooms and certainly not at the food vendors. If
know that no matter how many classes they go to, the newbie is by themselves are they going to just ask
it still isn’t going to be the same as a real show. This some random stranger to hold their dog so they can
is often a shock for people – they are surprised that go in the restroom?
their puppy doesn’t behave at the show exactly the
way it did in class. This is a good reason to get to the
show early so the dog can get used to all of the sights If you usually show at outdoor venues let the new
and sounds and for that matter, the owners to get exhibitor know what to expect. It’s a lot different
used to it, too. being there to show a dog than it is just to watch.
Let them know if you usually have a group that gets
together to share pop-up tents or whatever or if you
If a new exhibitor appears with a clearly pet-quality don’t really see each other until everyone gets to
dog, don’t talk behind their back and snicker at the ring. Whether indoors or outdoors with tents
them. Instead, introduce yourselves to them. Where provided for grooming let them know you will save
did they get their dog? What made them decide they them a space but they need to bring their own crate,
want to show? Invite them to the next club meeting table and grooming tools. You do have your own dog
or to have lunch with you at the show. Get to know to get ready, after all.
them a little and listen to what they say. They may
well be aware that their dog is not the same quality
as the others but they had to start somewhere. They You are teaching the new exhibitor how to groom,
may have read the standard and as far as they can but did you teach them how to give a proper bath?
tell, their dog is a perfect example. In their eyes, This is a concept that is often overlooked but
their dog looks just like your new Grand Champion. extremely important as well. It seems simple enough
Don’t start off by telling them their dog is a “pet” but can be quite confusing if you really think about
that will never be able to complete its championship. it. Have you looked recently at the vendors to see
Instead find out what their goals are and gently try just how many different products are available? It’s
to steer them in the right direction. Even if the dog not like the old days when you only had a handful
isn’t right for the conformation ring, it could be a to choose from. Explain, or even better, demonstrate
good prospect for agility, obedience or rally. Instead how to give a good bath with the use of shampoo and
of running them off, give them a reason to stay. They conditioner. If you have a favorite brand share your
may want to continue showing the dog they have for secret with them so at least they have something to
practice while they look for a show quality puppy. start with.
Instead of looking at them as “point fodder” look at
them as a potential new home – especially if the dog Teach our new recruits, but learn to let go. I’ve
they did bring is obviously happy and healthy. known breeders/mentors that would groom the dog
every time and never allow the new owner/exhibitor
Often the very basics that we take for granted are to do it because “they can’t do it as good as I can.”
completely overlooked. Remember the confusion Well, guess what? If you never allow them to groom
when you entered your first show? Which of the the dog how do you expect them to learn? I’ll gladly
many classes do you enter in and should you enter help anyone who asks, but they’d better be prepared
more than one? These questions come up quite often because I’m only going to do one side of the dog and
on the Facebook forum. One of the first things I tell then tell them to groom the other to match. And
anyone new is go to the AKC website at akc. I’m only going to do it once. I tell them to practice
org and do a search for “Rules Applying to because if they make a mistake, it will grow back.

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