DROP-IN or DROP-OUT?
SHOW HANDLING CLASSES CAN MAKE OR BREAK THE OWNER HANDLER
by Dan Sayers
W hen new exhibitors purchase a purebred puppy from a reputable breeder, the purchase price generally includes a packet of information containing AKC registration papers, vaccination history and health records, a five-generation pedigree, photos of the sire and dam, and training tips for housebreaking, traveling in the car, and teaching the perfect sit-stay. Words of caution of- ten accompany printed forms and paperwork as does en - couragement to enroll the new family member in a puppy kindergarten class once all recommended vaccinations have been administered. Socialization, it is emphasized, is important for the young dog; however, connecting with other people during critical periods of a puppy’s develop - ment is just as important for the new owner, especially if the dog/handler team is planning to enter the competitive world of the conformation show ring. And knowing that all show handling classes are not created equal, the choice of which classes to attend can make or break the novice owner handler. EDUCATION BREEDS CONFIDENCE When I took my first show quality pup to handling classes in the 1980s, the experience was equally exciting and terri - fying. The excitement came from the possibility of showing my young hopeful to her championship at iconic events like Old Dominion, Westchester, and Philadelphia. The terror emanated from the codgy old woman who ran her class with all the sensitivity of a drill sergeant with a tooth ache. This lady’s bark was most definitely worse than any dog’s bite. She shouted commands unsparingly at each and every handler in her class. No one was safe from her bombasts. “Fix that front!” “Hold the lead the way I showed you!” “Feed her. Feed her! FEED HER!!!” It was not unusual for one or more of the human students to leave class shaken or in tears. Interestingly, the young dogs in class seemed to figure things out long before the “ah-ha” moments clicked in the minds of the frightened handlers who kept looking at the clock hung mockingly on the wall of the church hall.
Apparently, the clever young canines could easily see through the instructor’s tactics and understand the mes - sage behind all the noise. Week after week, the pups’ con- fidence grew and, eventually, so did that of their handlers. While the old woman had been busy breaking through the fears and insecurities of the people in class, her students had started to realize that they could do the impossible with their dogs—things like standing solidly for exam, gait on lead in a straight line, and have fun together under stressful circumstances. In short order, the instructor’s eight-week “boot camp” transformed a crew of clueless handlers into confident partners who had begun to understand that the show ring is a place where command performances can oc - cur only when there’s genuine understanding and trust be - tween dog and handler. SCHEDULE YOUR PRIORITIES The new owner handler often makes the rookie mistake of thinking success can be achieved simply by showing up—occasionally. Although it’s true that “beginner’s luck” has turned more than a few newbies into the sport’s most recognizable breeder/owner handlers, successful exhibi- tors generally achieve notoriety by setting specific goals for their dogs and sticking to a schedule of short training sessions, visits with family, friends, and friendly businesses that allow dogs, and regular attendance at show handling classes. By showing up each week at the appointed hour (even when the workload is crushing or the “mood” to get out of the house just isn’t there), opportunities for mak - ing progress become available. No exhibitor can expect to move forward with their owner-handled dog when the first priority remains sitting in front of a screen (televi- sion, laptop, smart phone) or relaxing after a day filled with demands and disappointments. Dogs, like children of all ages, appreciate structure every bit as much as they as they enjoy social interaction that’s safe and stimulating. At han- dling class, both dog and handler can expect to find a reli- able routine and a rousing good time. Beginner puppies are
14 • T op N otch T oys , J uly 2022
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