Diva

I have attended shows in Russia, and the judges most certainly handled the dogs.

As long as you are aware that you could get very badly bitten doing that to a truly aggressive dog. The dog may well just turn it's attack on you and if you are on the ground your face and neck would be very vulnerable. It makes me cringe to think of it.

I have thought about her. I have thought that I wouldn't want this woman anywhere near a dog of mine or in any show ring I might enter. Bad enough that she thought that kind of harshness in training was acceptable, which it isn't, but what normal judge thinks it's their job to train an exhibit on the table?

Thanks for the update. Has anyone seen breed or group numbers for these shows?

Look at the pinned showring FaQs thread in this forum, it's one of the first posts in there.

If all the incidents have been over food, I'd feed Peanut in a crate and not have her loose around the others where food is involved. If she is resource guarding other things as well, or making a general grab for power, you have a bigger problem on your hands. But it may be that she is just a monster around food which I would think should be managable.

I'd be interested if one of the criteria wasn't having bred a number of litters - 3 I think? I don't want to be a breeder, therefore I cannot be a judge.

Ouch, some of these injuries sound very serious. In all the years of keeping large dogs the worst I've had is a couple of twisted ankles (not really the dogs' fault but gained doing things with them), a torn calf muscle (ditto) and a bruised finger (which I will blame on the dog). I'm off to count my blessings now....

I have been known to give yardroom to a sightie or two

Ditto.

Clearly we are soul mates RSG

If I might add my 2 cents worth, if you come up with the money make sure you have a lot of input. It's not like ARC or some of the 'purer' research funders, as I have read this you will be funding to get answers you need. I don't mean influence the results, that's bogus, but don't give up engagement with the process. I have commissioned a lot of applied research irl, from a range of research providers - Unis, CSIRO, CRCs. (Not dog related.) In my experience you need to be an engaged 'client' to get the best result. That means making sure the research question is framed to really answer your question, not just reflecting the research interests of the scientists. It's a partnership of interests. Don't be timid in interrogating the methodology. Stay engaged so that the research doesn't drift into an area that is tangential to your core question. Make sure you get the results in a form that is usable to your stakeholders, eg if you need something more accessible than journal papers for your audience, or need the scientists to take part in knowledge adoption activities, make it clear at the start of the project. The BC research referred to earlier sounds like a great model. Don't assume you can just put the money up and walk away for a really optimum outcome. The best researchers thrive working with fully engaged funders, others resent them. But those who resent them aren't those you want to be supporting anyway, imo. If it was my money and I could afford it, I wouldn't bother with an Honours project. Aim higher if you have the resources.

Haha, no that's a "Lexcen", Lexus are like the Japanese version of the Mercedes, very expensive and you really need a lot of mumbo-jumbo or rescue funds to own one. Pretty sure Lexus are made by a division of Toyota.

The bolded bit is the key a lot of the time. I think "you need to show the dog who is boss" is next to useless. "You are walking into the heel position instead of your dog walking into position - have you tried X Y & Z?" is more helpful. Yes, that is what I meant by needing to be specific. 'You blew the up and back' is useless, 'you took off too quickly and didn't let the dog get into its stride' is helpful.

If it's thoughtful and quite specific I really appreciate it, for both obedience and the show ring. If it's just 'you're too old/slow/fat to show that dog' - they can keep it to themself

True, a lot of people are attracted to difference mostly. But some can see and appreciate a well put together animal, rather than just the biggest/smallest/weirdest. I've found that quite an unexpected number of people can have an unexpected eye for good 'design', and know quality when they see it. They are the only ones I'm interested in talking to about my dogs really, I wouldn't try to talk about fine wine to some one who prefers cask sherry. I don't have that attitude, and I've never understood it. It certainly isn't a feature of most of those I know with pure breeds that's for sure. They only care that breed popularity doesn't undermine the welfare of the breed, which sadly it often does.

Rose would be Madonna - a bit over the hill but still damn good looking

Most of my dogs' outings are in suburban streets, and I think they have caused a few near car accidents through drivers turning to watch them as they go by, LOL. I get lots of questions and comments on them which I am happy to answer even though usually I'd much rather just enjoy a quiet walk. It's not racist, and it's not politically incorrect, to enjoy and cherish the distinctive look and temperament that comes with a well-bred and well-kept example of a particular breed. I'd not have it any other way.

They serve a purpose. Apart from being used in self grooming and to manipulate bones etc, they help the dog grip when turning at speed. Serious agility and overseas lure courisng competitors that I know all prefer them left on for this reason. That's the front ones, I doubt the hind ones have a purpose (but I don't really know). I have large very active dogs with front dew claws left on - their breeders' choice, not mine - and they have had no issues with them. But I think it does depend on how securely they are attached, which might vary between breeds and individuals.

Exactly. Labelling helps too. Like, maybe, "warmist"

If the dogs are silly enough to go into the dam after the roo it may well be self-resolving problem.

How about setting up right on your tail then stomping their feet hard to make your dog turn around - had that one recently too It worked, but I went home and played stompy games until the dog stopped caring, LOL. I wonder how many other pathetic dirty tricks I will need to learn to counter.

Nah, it's not new people doing that which annoys people, it's when those who know better and have been showing for years play silly games that it peeves. Well that would annoy, it isn't 'just what males do', they can be taught what they are allowed to mark and what they are not. And if they do get someone elses's belongings because a handler isn't paying attention, for goodness sake apologise and wash it off. This is a 'peeves' thread after all, at least you'll know what to avoid

...or you decide to follow the horse trailers because they are probably on their way to the ag show ground as well, right? Only they are actually on their way away from the showground because all the horse events have been cancelled as the grounds are just too wet. And yet even in those conditions I'm trying to find the show

Ours is too. I have seen dog poo there, but I have also seen the regular dog people tell off other dog walkers for not picking up. No-one wants the current access lost because of a few slack people.