While standing ringside, we all witness those typical incidents that occur all too frequently. The show dog that is afraid of the Judge, or worse, the show dog that attacks the Judge. There is also the ringside dog that attacks another dog, or, as I witnessed in one occasion, the dog that lunged at a woman because she cheered her dogs win in the ring. This type of behavior at a dog show is never acceptable. The consequences to the dogs owner can be drastic. The owner can have charges brought against them, in front of the Show Bench Committee. This can result in fines, suspension from the AKC, and/or the animal permanently barred from participating in AKC events. Owners and handlers alike, are responsible for their animals at all times. These behaviors in your show Pet are almost always due to lack of confidence, and consequently, fear in your show pet. Today, there are more opportunities than ever before, available to assist the owner in socializing your show Pet. Socializing a show dog starts at an early age. If you are a breeder/owner you are responsible to start good socialization at the early age. Breeders concede the need for good preventative immunizations and medical care for their puppies. It is even more important, for the pets mental well being, to have the proper start and invest the small amount of time necessary to socialize the puppies. If you live in a neighborhood, try to sit outside late in the afternoon with an x-pen on the lawn beside you. You can do this when the puppies are about 3 weeks old. Their immune systems have been established by then. (I do not recommend the socialization around other pets at this time. Socialization around other pets can start at about 8 weeks of age, When their puppy shots have been long since established.) It will not take long for the neighborhood kids to notice puppies. Encourage the kids to handle them. Take the time to show them the proper way of holding a puppy. I have always told the kids that a puppy says hello by sniffing them. This is also a good time to talk about your breed, as the kids will be curious, you could be molding a future participant in the sport of purebred dogs. I, personally, was introduced in just that way, by an Irish Setter fancier. When the puppies are about 8 weeks old, you can start your leash training by walking the puppy around the neighborhood. There are also the large Pet stores that encourage you to bring your pet in. I try to get there at least once a week and you don’t have to purchase anything to walk in the door. When I take a puppy to the vets office, a lot of the time this can be a scary experience for a puppy. Just think, every time you bring them in the doctor sticks them with a needle. In many offices they reward the puppy with a treat. I always follow up the visit with a special trip to Dairy Queen. A small soft serve vanilla in a cup, is enough to make any Siberian forget all about bad thoughts they might have of their outing. This is also another opportunity for strangers to touch your pet for some more socialization. Try to also bring your puppy to the Dog Show. Encourage every one to talk to, and touch your show Pet. You should always reward with praise, all positive behaviors and instantly correct any negative behaviors displayed by your show pet. I that know in these hectic times our lifestyles do not always permit the luxury of spending time for these seemingly frivolous encounters. But we do find time to visit the vets office. We need to commit ourselves to the task of creating a well balanced, mentally adjusted, future dog show Champion. It’s the least we can do for our sport, and the love of our Breed. |
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