Dog showing teaches owners a lesson in life
Published: August 4, 2006
Practice makes perfect, at least in the discipline of training and showing dogs.
4-H members from across the Range demonstrated the abilities of their poised and well-groomed companions to judges who critiqued obedience, showmanship and agility at the St. Louis County Fair on Wednesday.
“It takes practice, practice, practice and the relationship with your dog,” said Leona Hellesvig, one of the judges. “The ones who are dedicated will do better than those who have not done their homework.”
Considering that any moment during the show, a dog could be distracted with lights, noises from the surrounding fair or even the other dogs, many owners were feeling some nerves before showtime.
Ashely Tremblay was showing her two-year-old miniature pinscher for the first time and she was feeling a little afraid.
“It is hard because he is a little rambunctious thing,” she said. “We are both the same — we are both scared, but I think my dog will lead me through.”
Tremblay would be tested in dog showmanship, which is primarily based on the handler’s ability to show their dog. She hoped to earn at least a red ribbon.
“I haven’t really practiced with him alot, but he is really intelligent,” she said. “His defect is he’s shy and likes playing with the other dogs in the ring. I am hoping he won’t do that and will show himself and his real character.”
While owners walked their dogs around the arena, they were told by judges to have them stop or sit. Judge Anna Anderson would be looking for the dog’s reaction, and moreover the professionalism of the owner. Anderson said walking the dog was only half the judging. The other half was the owner’s knowledge about her dog. She asked some general questions such as where certain body parts are located, more specifically at what age one should spay or neuter a dog or what to do if an animal is exposed to extreme heat.
Anderson agreed with Tremblay that the situation of showing a dog can be stressful because one never knows what a dog will do in the ring. But, she said dealing with the situation adds to the skills of not only the dog, but the owner.
“You learn how to present yourself and the dog,” she said. “The level of professionalism is really important.”
While Tremblay promenaded her pinscher around the ring, the dog wanted to go nearly every way but straight ahead. Anderson noted the excitement of the new pup, but she was impressed with how Tremblay dealt with the situation. Instead of growing upset with her dog, she kept on encouraging him to move around the outer ring. When they made it back around to the front, Tremblay had her red ribbon in hand.
Meanwhile, in another ring, Tremblay’s friend, Cassie Arnold, was showing her Cocker Spaniel, “Gizmo.” Arnold won a grand champion in dog showing at the fair with a different dog last year. She ended up pulling in second at state.
She said the preparation takes hours upon hours of training and grooming, especially if the dog has hair like her pouch. She said when his hair is full, she brushes it once a day and bathes him once a week. But, that is not where the beauty shop treatment ends. Gizmo also has his teeth brushed and toenails clipped regularly.
Arnold was ready to show him in two classes, obedience and showmanship. After showmanship, Arnold was feeling OK. But, by the time obedience judging was through Arnold was giving Gizmo plenty of praising pets and hugs.
During the obedience competition, the dog sat and waited for her across the room until she called him to come. He sat when she asked, lay on a dime and walked, jogged and slowed down on call while they walked around the arena. For their performance, Arnold and Gizmo rolled in with reserved champion in the competition.
“I think he did fairly well for a first time,” she said. “I couldn’t have asked much better for a first time.”
While Arnold and Tremblay were going through judging, 12-year-old Melody Balke was practicing on a few tricks alongside the ring waiting for her turn to compete. Four-year-old Licorice, a Black Lab and Newfoundland mix, was taking a dumbbell in his mouth on call, a technique the two had not practiced much in the past. Nevertheless, the two earned a grand championship in obedience and agility last year and went to state.
Balke likes showing because she can teach her dog new commands, plus she earns a more well-behaved dog in the process. In terms of competition, she was simply hoping for the best.
“I hope she keeps focused and keeps her attention on me,” said Balke. “As long as she does that I think we’ll do well.”
She said the secret, like others is plenty of practice and a little something more.
“It is a lot of practice and praise with your dog.,” she said. “If your dog loves you, she’ll probably behave for you a little more.”
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