Dog Shows Training

The American Kennel Club has been around for a long time. It was first established in 1884 and it approves and maintains the official records of over 15,000 sanctioned and licensed dog events each year.

According to Kathy Reed, "Conformation, to put it quite simply, was originally developed to determine and select the best breeding stock. For this reason, the dogs are judged according to the standard of their own breed, with an examination of the dog's conformation by an individual judge." The A.K.C. conformation show was not suppose to be a "beauty pageant" for dogs.

In the United States, there is probably only about 15 days out of the year when a dog is NOT being shown somewhere. Dog showing has become a very popular, big business activity that the whole family can participate in, and it can become very addictive! Some show dog owners become obsessed with the sport.

In major dog shows like Westminster in the United States or Crufts in the UK, there are over 140 different breeds of dogs that take part in dog show competition; and last years competition introduced 10 new breeds.

Showing a dog in a show may look easy but there is much more to show dog training than just 'sit', 'stay' or circling around the show ring.

You have always loved dogs. You have always loved being in the lime light. You love the attention you receive from your gorgeous, well groomed and well behaved dogs. When thinking about entering one of your gorgeous, well groomed and well behaved dogs into dog shows you are thinking backwards. Believe it or not, deciding whether or not to show one of your gorgeous, well groomed and well behaved dogs in a dog show is not after you have already raised the dogs.

Selecting the right puppy to raise for this life is the first step. That's right; the decision to train a show dog is before the birth of the dog. Then a puppy is selected to train for show from birth. You can not have a puppy for a year or more and then decide you want to train it for show. You must make the decision that you want to get in the business of showing dogs, and then begin your search for the right dog from the right dog breeder.

Breaking Into the World of Show Dogs

It can be difficult breaking into the World of Show Dogs as the "big business" arena can be very political and some of the competition can be fierce.

There have been many expensive books published on the subject, yet I have always found them to be lacking, as if the author's where holding back some deep, dark secret to actually keep any newcomers from competing in their world of show dogs.

Finally, someone has had the guts to bear all and put all the amazing secrets of the preparation and training that goes into showing a champion dog.

Show Dog Training 101

Kathy Reed's amazing, e-book let's you know in easy to understand layman's terms, just what to do to get your dog ready to enter the AKC Conformation Dog Shows.

Here are just a few of the secrets that are revealed in her tell all AKC Dog Shows 101

• How To Keep From Making A Fool of Yourself


• Exactly How To Enter a Show


• Explanations of All the Different Types of Shows


• How to Select the Right Puppy to Raise for Show


• All Aspects of Training Your Dog


• Tips and Tricks of Dog Grooming


• How to Present Your Dog to the Judges
  
• And Much More...

Click here to see Show Dog Training 101

With a show dog offspring in hand, the next step is establishing a dedicated training schedule. Training commences with a course of daily training sessions that span several months or longer; but training really does not ever end. It is continuous. Dog Clicker Training is a big part of show dog training, but it is not the only type of training used. Clicker training will usually start later in the puppy's training to achieve desired dog show results.

The first step in training will be to establish basic dog behaviors that will be expected not only for show, but on a daily basis. Once these behaviors have been established you will then move forward to more advanced behaviors. At all times, the trainer must pay close attention towards the dog's progress.

The earlier a training routine can be established the better. These behaviors need to be a way of life, not just show behavior, and the earlier a pup learns this the better. Show dogs are subjected to judges inspecting eyes, ears, teeth, and coats, to name a few, and the dog must have the right temperament to handle this.

A good way to get the dog use to this type of inspection and prodding is to use the same techniques the judges use, while you are bathing and grooming your dog. By the time the dog is old enough to enter a show he will have become adjusted to someone looking in his ears, lifting his lips to inspect his gums and teeth, or lifting and moving his legs or tail.

Do you have something on your mind about the care of your dog that has really been bothering you?

Don't put it off any longer. You can ask away right here, just click the image or click the the link, right now.

Ask Your Dog Question Here.

Last April, to everyones surprise and to the absolute horror of some, the American Kennel Club announced that it will now allow owners to rename their dogs -- under certain conditions.

For over a 100 years the AKC required all registered dogs to go by the long names of their bloodline.

The new ruling for dog show owner's states that the owners of AKC registered dogs may change the official name of their dog, providing that the dog was born in the United States, has never been bred, and has not won any awards at an AKC event.

I wonder how this will go over at Westminister next year when an AKC dog is being shown and introduced as Rags instead of "Ch Farnsworthy's Fabulous Felicia of Framington"!

David Roberts, AKC's Assistant Vice President of Registration, states that "In most cases, the dog is a beloved pet and the owner would like to pick a name that has special value to them."

Any name change must comply with all AKC requirements, and the cost for owners is $25. I would say that is a great way to bring a fresh basket of dough to the AKC's registry!

A few of the working group includes the Newfoundland, Alaskan Malamute, Saint Bernard, Great Dane, Schnauzer, and Boxer.

Working dogs have been bred for hundreds of years to assist their owners with guarding the homestead, pulling sleds, hauling work carts, tracking, water rescues, avalanche rescue and more.

These dogs have extremely active minds and because of their breeding cannot sit idle for long - they have their jobs to do which makes them highly trainable and willing to learn the task they are assigned to as these jobs to fill their days and fulfill their purpose.

Because these dogs are usually so large with high energy levels and strength, they are not the best selection for family pets. However; with the right training, care, and large enough space to run can be trained to make wonderful family companions as they usually have a very sweet disposition.

Keep in mind that they do need a lot of space for exercise and they must have their daily jobs to keep them busy and well adjusted.

An unusual characteristics of Newfoundlands, that many are not aware of, is that the dogs have webbed feet. This is one of the reasons they are so adept at water rescue.

A few of the AKC herding group are the German Shepherd, Belgium Shepherd, Sheep Dog, Australian Shepherd , Border Collie, Bouvier des Flandres, and Rottweiler.

These dogs have super intelligence and were bred for protection and to work with their owners herding the livestock on the farms. The name Bouvier des Flandres literally means the cattle herder of Flanders.

Because of their high energy levels and intelligence they can make excellent pets and work extremely well with different kinds of search and rescue; guard dog and obedience training.

Remember that because these dogs were bred to do a particular job (herding), they do better when they have lots of exercise with room to run.

I noticed when I was raising my Belgium Shepherds, along with my kids, out in the country of Hawaii, that the dogs were fabulous at watching the kids. It was a funny sight watching them "herd" the kids while I was getting the laundry done. They kids could not stray far without the dogs nudging them back into the perimeter that the dogs deemed acceptable.

A few of the AKC hound group are the Coon Hound, Basset Hound, Beagle, Bloodhound, Greyhound and Rhodesian Ridgeback.

These dogs, pure and simple where bred to track and hunt. These dogs are divided into 2 separate groups; sight hounds and scent hounds.

Some of the oldest dog breeds known to man come from this group, such as the Cretan Hound with a history that goes back to 4,000 years ago and is a hunting breed of dog from the island of Crete, in Greece.

Many of these dogs are quite vocal because of their hunting background so if you are living in a residential neighborhood with close neighbors, you might want to reconsider before getting a hound for a pet.

It is also a good idea to keep these dogs leashed at all times since they can easily be led by their nose, or eyes, into troublesome situations.

MIDWEST Grooming Table

This dog grooming table is a highly effect table to use at home to groom your dog or to take on the road for dog shows. It is constructed of sturdy durable 3/4" Birch Plywood, that is easy to keep clean and maintain. I comes with a rubber working surface, fully welded folding tubular legs and a 1" charcoal gray vinyl trim. The Midwest Grooming Table provides the perfect working surface and the easy fold down legs make it easy to groom just about any pet just about any where. Also available with grooming arms and security loops. (Model 120N& 125N equipped with grooming arm and security loop)

Over the past decade, breed rescue groups have become a major force in dog adoptions. These rescue groups limit their effort to a particular breed of dog including purebreds. This is a help to people who want a certain breed of dog but can't or won't use breeders.

To make the best use of a rescue group, however, there are a few things to keep in mind.

1. Watch out for scams.

Some wholesale breeders and brokers who can't meet federal and state laws advertise themselves as "rescue" organizations. Crooks have even collected money for non-existent rescue groups.

Lensmaster Note:
Some of them even steal dogs to meet the needs, or orders, of their "rescue" shelters for certain dog breeds.

Unlike animal shelters and local humane societies, rescue groups usually do not have storefronts. They are a collection of breeders and breed fanciers who perform their services from their homes.

Ask any rescue group if they are incorporated or registered as a nonprofit group in your state.

The best way to find a rescue group is to go to the American Kennel Club's (AKC) website at www.akc.org and search under the breed you're interested in getting.

If no rescue group is listed, contact the national breed club and ask for references.

2. Don't trust everything a shelter tells you.

In some areas, the county or charitable animal shelter feels they're in competition with rescue groups and take pains to color these groups as irresponsible.

Some people who volunteer at shelters are animal rights extremists who despise anyone who breeds dogs to serve as pets. This is a source of tension as many rescue group members are hobby or professional breeders.

Some rescue groups have made this worse by advertising how they "rescue" dogs from the shelter implying they are the guys in the white hats.

A further issue of contention between the groups is the fee charged to obtain a dog. Some rescue groups deliberately undercut the fees the shelter's charge.

Shelters may be limited by law or organization rules to charging a certain amount and can't compete on price with rescue groups.

3. Ask about foster care for the dog you're considering.

Responsible rescue groups place dogs in foster homes to assess the dogs and determine what behavior problems, if any, exist with the dog.

This information is crucial to determining what type of permanent home would be best for the dog. For instance, one without children or one without other pets.

Be leery of a rescue group that is trying to place a dog that it has just obtained without having an interim placement.

4. Expect to be interviewed.

Responsible rescue groups do attempt to match a dog and his personality with an appropriate owner. They can only do this by asking questions including what your experience is with dogs, what you know about the breed and what type of lifestyle you have.

Please do not be offended. I would never accept a dog from a rescue society that did nothing more than ascertain if I could pay the fee they want.

5. Be prepared for anything.

There are no overarching laws, regulations or oversight of rescue groups. Some are run very professionally and some are basket cases. Unlike shelters, they are rarely subject to any state or
local inspections.

You may call a rescue group and never get a response. Part of the problem is the rapid turnover of volunteers involved in rescue groups. Realize that you may need to be very, very patient when dealing with a rescue group.

Always ask how the dog came into rescue. Some well-meaning group members "rescue" any dog, especially a neglected looking dog, they find outside without an owner.

The dog may or may not be abandoned but few rescue groups, in my experience, make much of an effort to try to find owners especially if in their opinion the dog does not appear to be well treated.

Find out if they check for microchips or tattoos and if you do get a rescue dog, have your vet check them right away for this as well as diseases.

You may expose yourself to emotional trauma and even liability issues if you wind up with a lost dog whose owner tracks him back to you.

As a final caution, it pays to make two or three visits with the dog you're considering adopting before making the final decision.

Louise Louis is a long-time dog person who owns and operates the ToyBreeds.com website.

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