Katie P Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 As someone who is about to start showing soon, I have heard that handling is not as easy as it looks. I have been to quite a few shows and it doesn't look too hard (assuming your dog is behaving! :p). So, I ask you. What makes a good handler? Rather than a 'bad' or 'average' one? How can people avoid holding back their dog due to their handling skills? Will be interested to hear peoples thoughts. I would hate to think my handling skills would hold back my dog from winning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 never ever believe its easy that will be your first set up for failure. Video yourself & watch it over & over again. Practise stacking infront of a mirror or similiar because you need to see what the judge does Dog doesn't have to behave for a handler to do a poor job most makes the biggest mistakes with an easy dog . You never stopearning & the trick is to now your dogs faults & good parts to show off or hide Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katie P Posted May 12, 2011 Author Share Posted May 12, 2011 So what mistakes are made to constitute 'poor'? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkySoaringMagpie Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 When you're new to the ring there is a lot you don't "see". The longer you show and watch people show, the more you see, especially if you have a wise old showie standing near you explaining things. It depends a bit on what you want to achieve, and it's best to walk before you run (so to speak). That said: A good handler gets the best out of the dog, presenting an attractive picture and hiding or drawing the eye away from any bad points. To do this you have to have an eye for a dog and know your breed. You need to know what is good and not so good about your dog, and what the judge wants to see. You also need to be a decent trainer. What if your dog paces all the time? Won't stack? Does all the right things but is just flat and boring in the ring? How will you fix that? Finally, you need to be well presented and confident without being OTT about it. Also, bear in mind that what some people consider great handling, others consider awful. People have different views on what looks good and how best to achieve it. A Saluki going around like a bat out of hell and then wagging its tail while baiting in the line up might impress some judges but you're likely to get a lecture if you do that while showing to a specialist. So it comes back to knowing your breed and having a fair idea what the judge is after. Finally a good handler has to be able to deal effectively with the dirty handling that will eventually come their way without getting rattled. I like Pat Hastings "Tricks of the Trade" and George Alston's "The Winning Edge" books. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 So what mistakes are made to constitute 'poor'? going to fast or slow Table dogs owners who have no clue how to lift them up not able to mouth there own dog if asked bad stacking or free baiting so the head is too high piss farting about & fiddling to much not listening or paying attention badly groomed /conditioned dogs The list can go on but you have a small window to show your dog so every minute counts for the best. Pacing would be the biggest issue many handlers have no clue about & run around the ring like any other day & the dog isn;t in gait Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bjelkier Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 (edited) I look back at how I handled my first Samoyed and cringe. But at the time I thought I was doing a great job. I was nervous, gaited him badly, didn't train him well enough on the stack, baited him too much, wasn't able to see his faults so at some points whilst I thought he looked great I was actually making them worse, didn't listen to the judge well enough and hee could have been much better groomed. I found watching those who often win helped, what do they do they I didn't? Having someone tape us in the ring was a serious eye opener, practising in front of a mirror (what was the judge seeing?) showed me my mistakes. I also found handling other dogs was a real help, picking up little bits from other breeds helped me understand my own more. Edited May 12, 2011 by Bjelkier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sayly Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 I look back at how I handled my first Samoyed and cringe. But at the time I thought I was doing a great job. I was nervous, gaited him badly, didn't train him well enough on the stack, baited him too much, wasn't able to see his faults so at some points whilst I thought he looked great I was actually making them worse, didn't listen to the judge well enough and hee could have been much better groomed. I found watching those who often win helped, what do they do they I didn't? Having someone tape us in the ring was a serious eye opener, practising in front of a mirror (what was the judge seeing?) showed me my mistakes. I also found handling other dogs was a real help, picking up little bits from other breeds helped me understand my own more. Change Samoyed for Irish Terrier and that's me, although I knew I was terrible. The bold bit at the end has helped me a heap, from showing well trained 'easy' dogs to quite excited, naughty dogs for other people I have picked up a lot about my showing my own dogs. I had a junior handler teach me the basics before she moved interstate and that was a huge help. I learnt so much from her. I now watch better, more experienced handlers in the ring as much as possible, both at breed level and group and I watch videos of my own handling where possible. I think you need to go into the ring with some confidence that your dog belongs out there too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaar Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 I have been handling since I was 7, I'm 25 now and a couple of weeks back I was told something I was doing wrong that should have been glaringly obvious to me. When I have been stacking dogs, I put my hand under their chin around their neck... I should be holding the side of the lead. Something I should have known, should have been told about, but it took all this time for someone to mention it to me! If you can find someone to give you constructive criticism it helps a lot. It doesn't matter how long you have been showing for,you can always improve and learn new things. Don't go to a show thinking everyone else is perfect and you are the newbie. I go into the ring with confidence, I think that's the main thing for me, make it LOOK like you know what you are doing even if you don't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pixie_meg Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 I've been showing for 6 months (and only about 4 shows). I'm sure i'm shocking, but we're doing ok. I'm not going to stress over all the little things i'm doing wrong, not even sure i'm grooming him right tbh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sayly Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 And no one expects those new to the ring to be amazing, so don't expect it of yourself. Go to handling classes where possible, they are a good way for you and your dog to learn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tambaqui Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 I have only been showing for nearly two years now with my Min Pin. It *took* me a long time to get the handling down pat! For nearly a year of showing, I have went through hundreds of handling style, methods, ideas, etc etc! Short lead, long lead, move fast, move slow, move very slow, correction chain, martingale, loop leads! Combine all those into many different outcome! I even saw the DVD of one of our specialty, and his 3rd show, and I was like "God he was bloody awful in that!" I've had about one or two show lessons, but it one one day, my mum was speaking to someone who used to breed and show Min Pins a long time ago, and we went through different movements and different paces, and I got some really valuable advice that day from her and I was very appreciative! That was the day he went 8 Points Best of Breed, Intermediate in Group! It's amazing what a chat with someone who *knows* the breed and give very valuable advice! Soon after, he went to pick up Multiple Best of Breed wins and picked up another Class in Show win at Specialty Level! Even at a Fun Day (Like a Member's Comp for the breed), he went Runner Up Best Exhibit of the Day! It does take quite a while to get the idea and find the best handling method, I have some babies at the moment, so it definitely strange handling babies and teaching them to mould them into the Min Pin I currently show! I can tell you, it's already proving to be a challenge! My other advice is probably to watch other handlers, and how they free stack their dogs, particularly if they are small breed! They were my inspiration into freestanding my Min Pin, and I am teaching the pups how to do that at the moment! I like them to eventually be able to place all four feet where they should be and watch me or the food the entire time . Good luck with starting to show soon! It'll be worth the while when you finally understood, but you still always learn new things and advice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sutton Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 I was hoping it would be easier and less stressful than horse events,now i dont think so. I havent even got my pup yet,but all this show reading has got me worried lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katie P Posted May 12, 2011 Author Share Posted May 12, 2011 Thanks everyone your comments have been very helpful. Obviously it is going to take tons of practice but with your advice, I can sort out the 'do's' and 'don'ts' and hopefully apply it. I have two mentors within my breed who I have been to a few shows with and will be going to another 3 in the next two weeks. They have had the breed for a looong time and I pick so much up. I have been videoing the breed in the ring and studying the video's. I am also going to start handling classes soon as well. If anyone has something to add- please do! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandalay Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 Katie I have been in the show ring for over 40 years and still learning......so do not feel to bad if you miss something.. I say the biggest asset is FUN and learn to laugh at yourself... Look , Listen & Learn everyday.. Good luck and have fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowenhart Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 I think the biggest things that make a handler are a good one are: Don't Panic! Nervous, panicky handlers don't listen to the judges requests, don't see the ring clearly and pass that energy onto their dogs. Practise and train. Practise with the dog, train it to be handled and shape behaviours Listen to the steward and judge. It helps Before taking off running, stop and think - what did they ask me to do? If you forgot already, ask for clarification. Realise if you stuff up or don't win, it's not the end of the world. There is another show next week. Many long time exhibitors make rookie mistakes all the time. Handling is an art form, not all forms are appreciated by everyone. It can take a little time to get the basics down and then you work on the fine tuning. I didn't train my dogs properly until I did some obedience/agility stuff, now I use some of what I learnt there to train for show behaviours. Oh and don't be too hard on the baby puppies, you want them to enjoy themselves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whiskedaway Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 And I have to add to Lowenhart's point of listening to the judge and steward, tell them it's your first time. They will be a little more gentle. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katie P Posted May 13, 2011 Author Share Posted May 13, 2011 Yes, I confess to being scared of screwing up royally! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sayly Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 And if you do it isn't the end of the world! It's only a dog show at the end of the day. As long as you and your baby have a good day out, then it's been a successful day! Embarassing things happen, my friend lost her knickers in the ring, and then went on and got best in show that very day! I watched video of myself handling tonight and realised how terrible I look when I do certain things! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diva Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 Embarassing things happen, my friend lost her knickers in the ring, and then went on and got best in show that very day! She earnt that win! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirst_goldens Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 i have my first baby to show her first time is in 2 weeks and im packing myself... BUT... everyone said make it fun and laugh babies will make u look like and idiot and sit and roll over and enjoy it because all too soon it will become serious... dont swaet silly babies they get away with it cause they are uber cute hahaha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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