Seems every time we go to a show, I see things that make me go Hmmmmmmmmm! Many times, I just have to shake my head wondering what that person is thinking. Other times, I am cheering for that person to succeed because they show grace, kindness and skill. There are too many times that I wonder why people are in the sport because they don't look like they enjoy it. I laugh when I see things happen that are hysterical.
I watched a person grooming their dogs and they had no clue on how to hold the knives or
how to use them. I tried to show this person and the whole time I was showing them, they were talking instead of focusing on the training. She never asked me any questions. She was as clueless when I walked away as when I offered to help her. HINT If someone offers advice or to show you a better or more efficient way to do something. Be polite enough to listen. You may choose to not ever put it into practice, but at least be polite and thank them for their interest in your success.
I watched a teenage girl working her dog and the dog's nose never left the floor. She was working on a loose lead. No lead at all would have served the same purpose. When I approached her, she said that every time she pulled on the lead her dog would yelp in pain. After examining the dog to be sure he didn't have anything wrong with his neck, I explained to her that she had allowed her dog to be boss and he wasn't in pain, he was having a tantrum in order to get his way. I took the lead and moved him and he yelped because I was requiring him to keep his head up and walk. I gave her a Martingale lead, which gave her more control and showed her how to keep moving and how to snap the lead straight up when he wanted to drop his nose. I found a successful junior handler to come work with her for a few minutes to show her it has nothing to do with age, but everything to do with training. We suggested to her parents that she take handling classes. I saw her working with her dog the rest of the day, trying to keep his head up. HINT Even if you been handling for years, sometimes others can see a slight correction could make a huge difference. Don't get caught up thinking you are so good, you never need any suggestions. This is another example of how important Handling Classes are. My class, taught by Monica Park, is attended by newbies and those with many years of experience and champions under their control. No shame in keeping your skills fresh and your dog trained.
I have witnessed a dog peeing on his handlers leg in the ring. Dogs poop in the ring all the time. I have seen a handler trip over air and fall down. I have seen dogs slip the lead and want to run and play around the ring rather than allow themselves to be caught. HINT Do as all of these handlers did; stay calm, have a sense of humour about it, take the ribbing with a good nature. There is nothing more professional, than being non-pulsed when the unexpected and even weird things happen in the ring.
 |
| Things Happen! |
I have seen owner/handlers and professional handlers give the cold shoulder to others and even look down on others. Happily, I would like to report that I have found this to be the exception rather than the rule. I have had it happen to me. When a professional handler looked at me like I had stepped in something, I must admit, it hurt my feelings. But more than that, I was reminded of something that happened when I was a teenager. The wealthiest man in town walked into the Chevrolet dealership and didn't get waited on. He waited for many minutes for someone to approach him. He watched while sales people stood around talking. He knew they saw him come in to the show room, because he was the only customer there. About a month later, there was an employee meeting called in the lunch room. The new owner was being introduced. It was my friend from home. He spoke briefly but eloquently. He said, " When I came into the show room a few weeks back, I was completely ignored. I know why. I was wearing my denim overalls and work boots. I had not shaved that morning. I know I looked like I probably couldn't afford to buy a car. Today, I bought this dealership. No one working for me will ever make that mistake, again. We treat everyone with respect no matter what price car they can afford. They are all our customers. You never know when you might be meeting your next owner."
Hint That pro handler will never have my business. They could have just lost one of their best clients. It pays to be respectful to everyone that approaches you. If you are too busy at the time, please gently say you are about to go into the ring or you need to get back to your set up and can't talk. Give them your contact information or ask them to catch up with you at a time you give them when you aren't busy.
 |
| Keep criticisms away from Ringside |
I have been treated with kindness since I've had to start using a cane. Thanks to everyone for allowing me to sit down if I needed a chair, or helped me carry my drink while I got my lunch plate to the vendor's table. Thanks for being respectful and allowing me some room to move through the crowd. I appreciate you all!
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: What is the one handling mistake, you see most often, made in the ring?
Answer: Diane Bell, Professional Handler,Groomer and Breeder
 |
| Diane Bell |
In my opinion, owner/handlers' number one handling mistake is not being on time for your ring, or being too early for the ring and
standing around talking while your dog is getting a)bored or b) stressed out.
Way too often I see newcomers racing into the ring stressed out and nervous. This causes them not being able to get their dog together, and losing because of it! Owner/Handlers send a signal down the lead to their dog and it influences the dog's performance. As
handlers, we are often running from ring to ring with multiple dogs, but we can
pull a dog together quickly and (for the most part) easily, but when you are
just starting you need to be calm and focused. Besides, if you are not there on
time, you don't get to play, and if you don't get to play, you don't get to
win!!!
Owner/Handlers can also get to the ring too early and their dog gets bored or overly excited with all the traffic and other dogs in the area. Some seasoned dogs can handle the stimulation, but many can't. You will see them pant with anxiety, or sweat through their paws or shake. Remember to check your judging schedule. Count the number of dogs ahead of you, multiply that number by two and you have approximately that much time before you will be going into the ring. Give yourself five to 10 minutes to watch the judge to see what he/she is asking the dogs to do in the ring. Try to stay out of the heavy traffic area, so your dog won't accidentally get stepped on. Remember to reassure your dog that everything is good.
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.
 |
| Susan Petry and Tucker |
Reported by Lee & Mary Ann McColl, Saltair English Springer Spaniels
Location of Nice Deed: Anchorage, Alaska
Spotlighted This Week is Susan Petry, Alaskan Springer Breeder, Cherriky ESS
Caper started his show career under the capable hands of Heidi Gervais, professional Handler from Cobble Hill, on Vancouver Island, B.C. He pointed quickly at three Lower Mainland Shows, then it was off to the wonderful AKC Show in Calgary(the largest outdoor show in Canada) then on to our trip back east to the 2008 Springer National SD&G show in August at Long Sault, Ontario. Caper showed well under a new handler, but competition was exceptional, so it was not meant to happen. It was back home to Salt Spring Island for a rest and then the end of October it was off to the Lower mainland Dog Fanciers Show at Abbotsford (the largest Indoor Show in Canada) . Caper pointed quickly with one extra for insurance.
Unfortunateley, it turned out Caper wasn't going to fit into our breeding program, so what do we do now, we have 6 Springers and only one couch!! At about that time April 2009 Susan Petry(a breeder) of Cherriky ESS from Anchorage, Alaska posted a note on the ESS list, looking for a male Springer. A Vet Tech at the University of Alaska was looking for a "boy" to take part in a Hospice program she was running. The dog would be required to go into Hospice situations and sit quietly with patients. Caper had done some therapy work so he might qualify for the placement. As it was, he would sit quietly at my feet and mumble every now and then. He would be perfect for the situation. OH! and I would mumble back.
We contacted Susan and she was just thrilled as it sounded like Caper would be perfect. We contacted the young Vet Tech, she had two good references and after several phone calls and emails it was decided that we would fly Caper from Bellingham Washington to Alaska. He arrived safely and he and Deidra (vet tech) hit it off immediately.
Everything went extremely well for three years and then in May this year we received a frantic call from Susan Petry the Alaskan Springer breeder, that Caper was in the pound in Anchorage, Alaska. He had been found "running at large". Their was money owing for his release. Unfortunately Susan was not in Anchorage, but in the mid west and not able to rescue Caper. As it turned out Caper was up for adoption. Emails and phone calls were just flying back and forth. We contacted Animal control in Achorage, Alaska and tried to pay the pound fees over the phone with a credit card, but no way, they claimed I could be using "fraudulent Credit Card", no I didn't go into my usual "rage" I remained calm, but very concerned. I gave them Capers tattoo combination and his microchip # and offered to send them a copy of Caper' CKC registration, still no. Basically the first person who walked through the door with the money owing would get Caper as long as they qualified to own a pet.
Now "we were frantic", apparently someone had looked at him the day before and they were interested, so he had been sent out for grooming. We contacted Susan immediately (bearing in mind she was at a family gathering in the mid-west) explaining the situation to her. Now we are not sure if she called the groomer at this point and had her slow down the grooming, but then she contacted her good friend Carol in Anchorage and asked if she would go down to Animal Control and pay the fees. As it turned out she was refused also, as she already had the maximum number of dogs licensed through Animal Control. Now what do we do? Call Susan again and explain the situation. We were in a real panic.
When """""WOOOOW HOO HOO""""" we receive an email from Carol in Alaska "We have Caper" " We have Caper" Relief Joy, just a flood of emotions. it's difficult to explain how good and thankful we felt to Susan and the gals in Alaska, but wait the story doesn't end here.
Susan has many friends in Alaska, yes you guessed it she has a friend "Jim". recently retired from Alaska Airlines who is willing to help ship Caper to Vancouver. "Wow" this lady is incredible and still in the midwest on a cell phone.
Arrangements are quickly made and we hop 2 ferries to Vancouver to over night there to pick Caper up. Well he arrived at Air Cargo, came bounding out of his crate and it was just as if he had never left. When we woke up in the morning it seemed a little crowded in the bed and sure enough Caper was in the middle(all 65 lbs of him) Looks he didn't miss "any meals in Alaska."
Caper now lives with our eldest son and his partner(in his forever home) in a cottage on our property and still has his play time with our three girls. They stick together like glue. David is in the Horticultural Business so they spend all of their day together outside travelling from job to job, Caper is much loved by everyone he meets.
We can't say enough about Susan Petry. It is very refreshing to know there are such good people in the "Springer Family".
Remember to watch for "Nice Deeds". They are happening all around us. Let's talk about the people helping others.
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.
XXXOOO
No comments:
Post a Comment