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Handling Bag of Tricks

When you get your first show dog and you sign up for your handling classes, you never think that you will need to learn a "Whole Bag of Tricks" to be competitive.  Most Owner/Handlers are shocked to know what all can go on outside and inside the ring to put then at a disadvantage.  Being a career woman and having owned a business, nothing surprises me or so I thought.

I am a firm believer that having a dog that meets all its breed standards and a great temperament and drive to compete should be all that is needed for success in the conformation ring.  Unfortunately, so much of the time that simply isn't enough.  If you are lucky, your handling instructor will give you hints on what to expect in the ring and how to prevent those tricks from hindering your success.

For those of you that haven't had the benefit of learning the tricks here are some common ones to watch for.

Inside the Ring

• Shadowing you.  That is when another handler will pull up inside of you making it difficult for the judge to see you while you are lined up inside the ring.  Many times, this happens when you are in line waiting to have your dog's review by the judge.  Remedy:  Ask the person to get in line behind you and stop doing that or simply go to the end of the line.  If the judge asks you why you moved, tell them you were being crowded and didn't want your dog hurt in the process.
• Overactive toy squeaking or throwing.  Some handlers will do this if they ever see that it bothers your dog.  Remedy:  Ask the person to stop or simply move to the end of the line.  If the judge asks you why you moved, simply state that another handler was being overenthusiastic with a toy and getting your dog over excited and you didn't want either dog hurt in the process.
• Running their dog up your dog's back.  Some handlers will do this to unnerve your dog.  Can you imagine how a mini dachshund feels when a Irish Wolfhound runs up within a tail hair's length away from it.  Remedy:  Use an authoritative voice to let that handler know that behavior is not appreciated and to give you at least two dog lengths between you.  If you have a small breed, feel free to go to the back of the line.  If the judge asks you why you moved, simply state that your dog is not going to move fast enough for the larger dog to move out so you want to be fair to everyone.
• Throwing bait on the floor and not picking it up.  Remedy:  Pick it up yourself and use that time for a training session for your dog to not bait dive.  Sounds crazy, but I am in the hound group and some hounds can smell bait that was dropped at the far end of the parking lot.  They must be taught to keep their heads up so they don't bait dive.
• Other handlers or audience members talking to you while in the ring.  If you are distracted, you are not paying attention to whether the judge is looking down the line before or after he is doing the individual inspections.  Remedy:  Always be on guard for distractions.  It's your time in the ring and your dog should be your priority.  Keep your dog relaxed and be sure to stack your dog if you think the judge is looking down the line.

Outside the Ring

• Placing their ringside table directly in front of the Ring Steward's table.  Many savvy handlers will set up right in front of the Ring Steward's table, so they are seen by the judge prior to entering the ring.  They also will talk loudly about their dog's wins so they can be overheard by the judge.  Remedy:  Get to the spot first and invite others to sit there while they watch the competition.  If nothing else, you will be on to them and their motives.
• Talking to the judge before their class starts.  Personally, I find having a general chatting up the judge prior to the judging starts deplorable.  It makes both the judge and the handler look bad.  To save your reputation, never do this, even if you had dinner with the judge the night before.  You don't want to put the judge's opinions in question, so be respectful enough to not do this.  Remedy:  There isn't one.  The sad thing is, people will make judgments and that isn't good.
• Judges showing to Judges.  I actually don't have a problem with judges showing to other judges.  We get our great judges from the Breeder/Owner/Handler population.  So judges showing to judges isn't a bad thing.  Unfortunately, there are some situations that become obvious that some judge exhibitors expect that the judge they are showing under will give them a placement because they control certain shows and make judges assignments. Also there are some judges that think it is a professional courtesy to give and receive placements when they are showing.  Again, even though I have seen this happen while I was showing, I must say very clearly that this is by far the exception to the rule rather than the majority.  Remedy:  I have a couple of friends that believed that this was happening over and over in their breed.  They did some investigating and found that this judge had quite a list of fellow judges as their Facebook friends.  These enterprising people then looked up this judges show records and checked to see how many times there were placements made  by these judges.  It was really astonishing.  But what to do with that information?  They can stop showing to all the judges they suspect were giving gratuitous wins but then they may have no one left to show to.  They can spread the word to other exhibitors.  They can refuse to show in the ring with the offending judge.  But, unfortunately, I'm afraid that this is a situation with no real remedy.  JUST REMEMBER, most judges are great at judging and don't give a whip who is showing to them.
• Noise making to unnerve other dogs.  There are handlers that will set up their ringside tables and as they are brushing their dog, they will deliberately rack the brush across the table making an obnoxious noise that can upset nearby dogs.  Remedy:  Learn who does these kind of these and don't stand anywhere near them.
• Talking smack about your dog or you.  Too bad this happens but it does.  Some people will stoop very low to win.  They have so little confidence in their dog or their ability to show their dog that they resort to bad behavior.  Sometimes they will accuse you of doing something wrong, like crowding them in the ring or saying something about you in just a loud enough voice so you can overhear and get you off your game. Remedy:  Laugh it off.  Be the bigger person and not respond or react.  Keep your head in your game.  You only get your two to five minutes in the ring with the judge.  Make better use of your time and be a winner.  No payoff and that person will most likely not bother you again.

Even though there are dirty tricks, you must remember, there are more kind and generous people than not.  If you ask for help, you will usually get all the help you need.  If you ask for advice, you will get helpful and honest advice.  The best way to combat The Bad Bag of Tricks is to be a great handler, learn how to handle with confidence, know your breed, know what gets your dog up and ready to perform.  Take the time to find a professional handler you respect and sit and watch what they do inside and outside the ring.  You can learn a lot of Positive Tricks for Your Bag!

Car Accident Story                              

This story is real not fiction.

On April 8^th, 2013, around 1:45PM:  Josee Boulanger and her 4month old Pomeranian boy (2lbs) were leaving her house to go to a physiotherapy appointment and after that she was to join family for her “Birthday Dinner, then to finish the day with the Handling class practice.  It was a spring sunny day; Josee was going quietly along the road, in no rush, no stress, no cell phone, no text and no alcohol.

After four or five minutes driving, Josee’s car slid on the sand and little rocks used during the winter for the snow on the road. She lost control of the car. She goes up on the sidewalk, getting upside down and rolling in the grass and mud and finally came to a stop when she hit a hydro pole.

The owner of the property and another man helped Josee out of the car using the passage side. Josee was not fully aware of what happened.  She was only aware of the men rushing to get her out of the car.  The little Pomeranian boy was on the rear seat in a “OLD STRONG VARI-KENNEL”. Once Josee was safe, she asked the two men to please save him, too.

Just when the police, fireman and ambulance arrived at the scene,  the car caught fire and it was fueled by a full tank of gas.  Josee was taken to the hospital by ambulance, where they quickly treated her  injuries.  They released her a few hours later after X-rays and stitches.

Josee had asked the older man to take care of her little dog and don’t let her baby go to the shelter. Josee tried to give the man the phone number of a friend, but mistakenly gave him a wrong number.   The kind man took the Pom puppy to his house and waited for news from Josee. He didn't touch or open the “broken crate”.

Unfortunately, nobody had called Josee’s family, and they were all at the restaurant waiting for Josee  2 hours with worry and confusion.

When Josee finally got to a phone and she called her friend to get news about her puppy.  That is when she discovered she had made a mistake when she gave the man the phone number.  Josee called the police to find out where her Pomeranian was. They told her that he was taken to a shelter and it was closed.  She would have to wait until the next day to get any word on him. Distraught about her puppy, Josee and her husband went to see the road and exactly where her accident had happened. They found Hydro-Quebec working to restore electricity in the area.  Josee walks down a long driveway and asked the man knows what happened to her puppy. Josee was so relieved when the man told her that the pup is in his house in the broken crate. The puppy is taken directly to the vet.

The vet makes a full exam and X-ray of the tiny puppy and he found no injuries at all to him. God was with Josee and her puppy that day.  The old man and the “OLD STRONG CRATE” saved that puppy’s life.

Josee ended up with stitches in her shoulder, right arm, back, knee, foot, and legs. But like her sweet puppy she was alive.

Two weeks after the accident Josee and her  Pomeranain “Lahoussaie General J Pershing” won BEST BABY IN GROUP!

Josee’s advice to others is NEVER let your dog free in your car and don’t buy cheap crates, but buy quality because it may be what saves your dog’s life.

If you would like to contact Josée Boulanger at La Houssaie red’g Standard Schnauzer and Pomeranian  go to www.lahoussaie.com.

              

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.

This week we Spotlight Rob Paterson of Conquerer Golden Retreivers.  

Last week Rob brought to my attention that I failed to put anything in the subject line of my weekly blog email blast.  I really appreciated him catching that.  I like to be sure to fill the subject line in each week, so those that don't want to read the email have the choice of hitting the delete button.  Reading the subject line is usually enough to let folks know the blog is ready.  

                                         Rob is a busy fellow.  He is breeder/owner of Congquerer Golden Retreivers and has an active breeding program and show schedule.  You can find more about Rob by going to his website:  http://www.conquerergoldens.com

                                         Thanks so much again, Rob!!  Your my unofficial official proof reader, now! 

                                                  

Remember to watch for "Nice Deeds".  They are happening all around us.  Let's talk about the people helping others.   Send your "Nice Deeds" to me atdjenkins@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. 

                                                                     XXXOOO