Show Attitude

I consider showing dogs a fun way to spend time in my relationship with the dogs. I consider it my job to teach them to love to show so I can KNOW they are having a good time and can show them and ask them to go through all the other stuff, because they like the ring too.

When you think of it, it's kind of strange that we ask dogs to live in crates for days at a time, run around in circles with strangers poking and feeling them all over, getting groomed and bathed, clipped and ground nails, etc.... and to show an outgoing and happy temperament while they are doing it. I have ruined many too many show attitudes when I started out in a variety of ways. In the beginning, I was too nervous and the dog sensed it and got nervous too. I wasn't a good enough handler to win much so the dog got dragged around and around, having progressively less fun in each show until any joy the dog might have had in the novelty of the possibility of newness was gone. When I got better at showing and had done some winning, the winning easily became too intoxicating and the desire to overtrain a dog or to push a young dog in the ring past his or her enjoyment level, for the win, spoiled a number of dogs that I didn't ruin in the puppy classes because I was no longer nervous at those levels. The temptation to push a dog past its limits, instead of leading the dog to want to do more is, in my opinion, the most common reason a dog burns out or stops showing. Sometimes this is related to poor management of the dog's energy level. He or she may be being pushed or brought up too high, expending its energy too early in the competition, such that when you need it, or need the dog to concentrate, his or her energy or concentration is gone. This may again result in the temptation to push the dog into doing something, in the show ring, it really doesn't want to do. That takes away the fun for the dog. Of course there are plenty of show experiences themselves that occur, some beyond our control that can and do destroy dogs' ability to have fun at the shows. Maybe a dog in the next set up is threatening or being allowed to be a nuisance. Maybe there are loud and stressful people or activities close to your dogs at the shows. Maybe your dog gets jumped on the way to the ring or has a jerk for a judge one day who is unpleasant to your dog. Maybe the dog is sick, or dehydrated, or not getting enough exercise for it's mind or body. All of these things have to be thoughtfully taken into consideration, especially when the dog is doing something new, like when they first go into the classes, first go into the group, first show at a loud indoor show or hot outside show, etc....... It becomes my goal to try and read my dog and see if they are having a good time, and if not, why not.

That is not to say I spoil the dog, except maybe in the ring or just after I have asked and gotten a lot out of my dog, for spoiling a dog can remove attitude too. Why would an intelligent dog want to go to do shows if they get undivided spoiling at home on a bed or couch. In fact, I generally reserve beds for my retired show dogs, though sometimes a show dog will get an unexpected invitation for a nap or cuddling on my couch in the dog area or if adult and good, in a motel room that permits dogs. Some dogs once really loving dogs show, raised to do so, can and do benefit from being with you a lot as long as they maintain their spark in the show ring, such that that almost always brings them to smile--the anticipation of going into a show ring.

As puppies, I show dogs sporadically, depending on basic temperament, with toys, food or whatever it takes to make them happy, in shows that have big enough entries to allow the puppies to relax in the ring, under judges I know will be nice to them. A class of one is stressful to a puppy--they don't have any down time, having to either gait or stand under control for the judge's evaluation. Larger classes permit you to walk in and get settled with a circle around the ring and then hopefully, some time to gently collect oneself prior to the first exhibit's exam. If you are back in line, you can play with the dog, feed it its favorite treats, or play with a toy, gradually calming it down and getting it to concentrate on you as you approach your turn. Some dogs will need more playing than others, others will require the entire time asking them to settle down and giving them treats and Good Boy, when they do it. They should not be trained during most of the ring time unless their attitude clearly enjoys it. You are in the ring to be with your dog--NOT TO VISIT WITH OTHER EXHIBITORS. Eventually, that is going to be permissible, but not when the dog is learning or relearning how much fun it is to be a show dog.

Whenever a dog is not having fun and I feel I am having to ask it to do more than it wants to, I STOP and ask what is wrong. In fact, I do the same thing for myself or friends I see not having fun showing or having dogs. If the fun is gone, WHY DO IT? For those making a living at it--find a way of making your job fun or get another job. The answer to why the fun is gone usually spells out the solution. If the judging is bad and getting to me, I get more careful what judges I go to. If the cost is getting out of hand, or the time is too consuming, I cut back. If the dog is stressed, not feeling well, bored, unsure of the new surroundings, etc..... I change the problem. Often it is a combination of course. I simply don't show a dog that isn't having a positive experience. That experience may be going from an insecure dog to one accepting the situation calmly, or from being self assured in the ring, to smiling and wagging its tail--it all depends on the dog. I do not allow the dog to have a bad experience and deal with it later--if I have to miss another ring that's OK, the dog is the reason for the show, not the other way around. As long as the dog and I are having an ongoing relationship that is enjoyable and trusting, the priorities are right and the show will go on. Winning is important, but leaving the ring with a dog that is wagging its tail is more important and in the long run, leads to more winning anyway. All of this goes to any dog that is demonstrating signs of stress or displeasure in the ring.

Each dog is different in terms of their "natural" desire to show off. Some come by it much more easily than others. I personally dislike a dog that is so up all the time that they pace in their kennel or demand constant attention. I breed for and enjoy temperaments that are sweet and gentle, bond well to people, and may have some reserve to strangers. Once these dogs are raised right, to trust me to not let them get into unhappy situations, and to enjoy the show ring and all that it entails, they are the kind of dogs I want to live with. If I cannot continue to give them what they have been brought up to enjoy, I find them a home where they can. Some dogs want to retire to a kennel, some to a family with children, some to being a jogger's companion, etc.... If I can't connect with them enough to know what they want, shame on me. Finding the home is sometimes more difficult and not uncommonly is hardest on me. They find the new home, I lose a friend, but they are better off if the new home serves the dog's needs better than I can.

There are many sources that probably experience what I am trying to communicate in this article, better than I can...please search them out. I believe that exhibitors, clubs, and judges have to remember that this is all about dogs, not about winning. Exhibitors have the responsibility of caring for their dogs and preparing them correctly for the ring experience--teaching them to enjoy it. Clubs have the responsibility of providing facilities and hiring judges that permit this. Judges have the responsibility of running a ring that facilitates the evaluation of the exhibits but remembers the comfort and experience of the dogs, even so far as to help the exhibitor do his or her job with the dog. That may mean the judge utilizes shade in the ring, is extra gentle or encouraging to an unhappy dog, or jokes with the exhibitor to make them at ease, and focus the exhibitor on their dogs' happiness in the ring.

If we rely on winning to have a good time, then we rely on a system that is terribly flawed and often corrupt, to identify the "best dog" that in the best of worlds is subjective anyway. If we rely on enjoying our dogs and them enjoying our company, at least the dogs' half of the equation is usually successful and we only have to work on ourselves.

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