Page 27 - Chow LIfe - Spring 2019

Most people have a pet (or several) at home so I tell into our sport, they must be willing to learn so that
them to practice on them. Just because they aren’t they can eventually do things on their own. They
going to the show is no reason not to practice doing should ultimately become confident enough that
feet, hocks, line-combing, etc. on them. Besides, instead of fearing competition, they welcome it. They
don’t their other chows deserve to look pretty, too? should become part of our discussions at dinner
If the new exhibitor comes to you asking for touch- after the show, discussing the finer points of the dogs
up advice and it’s clear they have made an effort, in competition or possible future breedings rather
then give it. If the dog isn’t groomed at all then tell than a constant string of complaints as to why their
them to come back when it is. Don’t fall for the ploy dog didn’t win. Because in truth, we usually lose
to have you groom the dog for them. After all, you more than we win when showing dogs and that is
probably have your own dog you need to get ready just part of it. We should all learn to not only see the
for the ring. faults in our own dogs, but to see the virtues in the
competition (even though sometimes we have to
If you have a “Clinging Vine” you have to learn to look really hard).
push them away. If it has been three or four years
(or more) and they are still coming to you for Showing dogs is a journey, for some a very short
everything, then you must recognize that and try to one and for others, almost lifelong. There will be
get them to be more independent. You cannot worry highs and lows both with experiences and with the
that if you stop helping them for every little nit- dogs themselves. If we teach nothing else, it should
picking thing they are going to drop out of showing be that we are always learning – some things are
dogs because consider this – if they are always negative and some positive. We have to learn from
underfoot, always complaining when they lose our mistakes and learn when to let go. And hope that
and expecting you to agree with them, or bragging someday, the person we helped to get started not
obnoxiously when they win (usually because you only becomes successful, but is willing to share their
groomed their dog for them), not allowing you the knowledge and help the next newbie that comes their
time you allotted for getting your own dogs ready, or way. And who knows – one day we might be calling
you have to start hours earlier than you really want to them up for advice.
in order to make time for “helping” with their dogs,
you are going to start to lose interest in showing, or
worse, dreading to go to shows when you know that
person will be there. Often it happens so subtlety
that you do not even realize this is the reason you
no longer like doing something you used to love to
do. If that person has any pride at all in what they
are doing, they will want to do things for themselves
and realize they have been dependent longer than
they should have. There is a huge difference between
asking for advice and sucking the life out of you until
you reach the point you want to quit.

When you can, help a Junior. This opportunity
doesn’t come along that often but some of these
kids grow up and continue on in our sport. If
you have the opportunity to put a nice puppy or
finished champion with one and they are close
enough you’ll be able to help with grooming and
proper presentation then do so. It isn’t unusual
for the whole family to get involved but even if
they don’t, encouraging a Junior does help give a
positive experience to someone who might become
significant to the breed or the sport as an adult, and
you can say you helped get them started.

The point of all of this is that it is a two-way street.
Not only must we be willing the help those coming

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