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HANDLING CLASSES ARE SO BENEFICIAL

When Lyle and I decided we wanted to handle our own dogs in the show ring, our breeder suggested that we find a handling class.  I started looking for a class near us.  It wasn’t easy.  I asked many people and I finally found Monica Park in Milton that is a professional handler that offers handling classes each Tuesday night.

We showed up without a clue of what we should bring or what to expect.  I suspect that when we walked into class that first night, we looked like deer caught in headlights.  I will admit that I was very nervous.  Me, the person that can give a speech to 10,000 people or do an impromptu moon walk center court at a major sporting event.  I had talked Lyle into going with me to handling class, but I’d do the lesson and learn to handle Abby. 

The atmosphere was very friendly.  I remember thinking, how hard can this be.  I took my place at the end of the line in the ring.  Having a Standard Wirehaired Dachshund, we typically were the smallest and slowest, which meant we would be last.  That was fine with me.  I’d have more time to watch the others to learn.  First, we just went around the ring, learning how to gait and how to hold the lead.  That night, I learned how to place the lead under Abby’s neck and behind her ears.  We were supposed to stack our dogs while we were waiting for Monica to pretend to judge our dogs.  Abby just wanted to sprawl all out, she didn’t want to stand at all, or she wanted to sit down with her nose on the floor in such a pathetic and sad way.  Where did my playful, beautiful, “meets all the standards” puppy go?

There was also the matter of me getting down on the floor to stack Abby and then gracefully get back up in a way that looks effortless.  That just was never going to happen.  Unless the judge in every ring was willing to give me a hand up, it was looking unlikely I was going to be very good at handling.

At the end of our second lesson and Abby still was not responding to my begging and pleading, I asked Lyle to take her around the ring.  He took the lead and when he entered the ring with Abby the whole room gasped at how beautiful Abby was moving and how she was so attentive to his every move and gesture.  He placed her on the table and stacked her perfectly.  A handler and show dog was born that moment.  Monica exclaimed, “Someone has actually been listening in class!”

Lyle Stacking Abby

Lyle never thought he’d be our handler, but he does a terrific job.  He has a magical way with the girls.  He has had many more lessons and has got some great advice from the pros on how to improve or tweak little things that make a huge difference. 

Handling class is a must.  When I’m at shows, I can see those owners that haven’t taken advantage of a handling class.  It really makes a huge difference.  You learn how to handle the lead, gait, the layout of the ring and what the judges may ask you to do.  You learn how to stack your dog and how to present your particular dog in a way to show its best.  You learn about ring etiquette.  If you take a handling class you will still be nervous your first show, but you will at least walk into the ring understanding what you need to do.

The unexpected benefit of handling class for Lyle and me is the people you meet.  We have met so many wonderful people and their dogs.  You all talk about what shows you have entered and then, when you are at the show, you bump into each other and it’s nice to see a familiar face.  You get encouragement and give some, too.  It’s fun to watch your classmates’ success and the points adding up for championships.  We can pat each other on the back and know we did it ourselves.

Find a handling class near you by contacting your local kennel clubs or local pro handlers.  If you are still having trouble finding a class near you, send me an email, and I’ll see what I can find for you.

ASK THE EXPERTS

This will be a regular feature of my blog.  I will be asking a question to a cross-section of Canadian experts involved in various areas of the dog world.  If you would like to participate or have a question you would like to have asked or have an expert you would like to answer a question, feel free to contact me.

Question:  How would new owner/handlers benefit from getting involved in Rally Obedience?

Carol Hauta and Jake
They have performed Obedience,
 Rally and Conformation
together in Canada and USA.

Answer:  Carol Hauta of Langley, BC is a very busy woman. She owns her own Sales and Marketing company, volunteers at a number of clubs and she is in the process of planning an All Breed Obedience and Rally Trial to be held in  2013.  She has been involved with Doberman and showing for almost 30 years.

Rally is meant to be a fun sport – for both the owner/ handler and the dogs. So, it can not only be a benefit for the owner/handler but can be a benefit for the dog as well. It’s a mixture of Obedience, for control and precision, and Agility, for fun and excitement.  Unlike traditional Obedience, handlers are allowed to encourage their dogs during the trials. They can talk to their dogs, give them instructions, and even clap their hands. This makes it very informal and can help encourage a shy dog to come out of its shell and be comfortable at dog shows. It can help a dog who is tired of the conformation ring – since there is a lot to do and you get to interact so much with your owner/handler. It can also help to encourage an obedience dog since it can be very exciting and fast paced.

In training your dog for Rally you will find you get a sense of teamwork with your dog. You learn a lot about their personality and sometimes even find they have quite a sense of humour. The exercises are fun to learn and fun to teach to the dogs since there are many different exercises. Each course consists of 10 to 20 stations from a possible 50 different exercises (depending on the level you are competing at) that instruct the team what to do in the trial. It keeps the dogs very interested and excited – especially when you are trying to figure out your left from your right and then remembering which it is, once you get to that station.  Sometimes it seems the dogs know better than the handler! I have seen quite a few dogs holding their head sideways as they watch their handler go in the wrong direction! Thankfully in Novice you get to redo some of your stations.

You will find it’s much easier to teach the dog when they are already eager - which can also boost the confidence of the newcomer as they see the dog is having fun with them. There’s never a dull moment in Rally with lots of camaraderie amongst the exhibitors. Each Trial has a different course – so although you are in competition you will find that many people are willing to help as well.

It keeps the dogs active, even older ‘retired’ show dogs can come out of retirement and have fun at the shows again. Whether its Obedience dogs or Conformation dogs – it’s fun to see the older dogs strut their stuff and enjoying being out in the limelight again. They really think they are special and the handlers are so proud.

You get a sense of achievement while you are working as a team with your dog. What better way to spend quality time with your best friend.

Come out and watch the next show and you’ll see for yourself. Rally is in the ring where all the clapping and cheering is going on. It can really be a lot of fun for you and your dog!

This proves my theory that busy people are the ones that get things done!  Thanks Carol for a wonderful answer and finding time in your hectic and busy schedule to contribute to our blog.

I like to see people do nice things for others.  If someone does

something nice for you at a show or you see or hear about 

something nice being done, please send me an email at 

djenkins@shaw.ca.   Be sure to put in the subject: Nice

We will mention that person by name in the blog.  

Location of Nice Deed:  Trillium Dog Fanciers Show, Lindsay, Ontario

Karen and Grayer

Spotlighted this week is Karen Fasciano,Owner, Quiero Borzoi Perm. Reg,  Uxbridge, Ontario 

Karen hosts an annual Halloween Get Together at the Trillium Show.  She lays out a fabulous spread of h'orderves, pastries and drinks.  She generously invites everyone and puts a jump start on the Halloween festivities.  Her annual Halloween Soiree brings old friends together and allows new friendships to be made.  

It was particularly nice that Mick, Karen's husband, made it out for a bit.  Please keep Mick in your thoughts as he undergoes another round of Chemo.  

Toward the end of the day, you could see countless people walking around with the traditional scary hand champagne flutes, that Karen provides.  I hear the wine was exceptional!!!   Sorry I missed it.

Comments I have heard and read all say the same ....."Karen outdid yourself!  Awesome party!"  ..... "Wonderful Spread" .....  "Karen is Fun and Sweet as Always"  "Amazing, Wonderful, Kind and Generous".  

Those words couldn't be truer about anyone.  Thanks so much Karen for your sense of humour and generosity.

 

Everyone stay safe this week.  Remember the little goblins and witches will be out, so drive with them in mind on Halloween night.  

                                                                                         

If you are showing this weekend, Good Luck!  Remember to look for "Nice Deeds" and email them to me at djenkins@shaw.ca                                       

Be sure to go to Canuck Dogs, http://www.canuckdogs.com, to see all the upcoming events and to check stats.  You should  bookmark it.  That's where you will find my blog.  

XXOO