“REGULAR ATTENDANCE IN CLASS AND ESTABLISHING ROUTINES THAT ARE RELIABLE ARE THE SUREST PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS.”
introduced to structured activities and are rewarded with supervised play sessions. Young dogs experience increased expectations and learn how to respond confidently to new chal- lenges that are presented each week. And seasoned show dogs give their owner handlers the opportunity to “tweak” this and “retool” that as prep - aration for an upcoming specialty or all-breed show. Regular attendance in class and establishing routines that are reliable are the surest path - ways to success. Setting priorities and sticking to a schedule are how things get done. THERE’S ALWAYS A COST Showing dogs is not cheap, and it’s not going to be getting any cheaper. Show entry fees, travel expenses, and the rising cost of dining out are just a few reasons why some exhibitors are reconsidering their show sched - ules. With these rising costs and the
decreasing availability of majors at lo - cal shows, many owner handlers have discovered the need to plan strategi - cally while investing in online educa - tion, mentoring programs with proven results, and training classes at nearby kennel facilities. Of course, handling classes can provide useful instruction for both handler and hound; however, here too, costs can vary widely de - pending on the instructor, the facility, and the geographic location. In New Jersey, where I live, a drop-in class can cost $30 for a one-hour session. In Michigan, similar classes may be found for half that price. In west- ern Pennsylvania, drop-ins may be charged $8, and in Nebraska the price can dip to $5 per class. When con- sidering the price of handling classes alone, it’s easy to see how owner handlers might become discouraged due to limits imposed by personal budgets. Nevertheless, solutions can be found—or implemented by clever
clubs and businesses that want to help others while growing their organiza- tion. One Midwest training club offers a package deal that allows unlimited drop-ins for a year. For the reasonable fee of $225, an exhibitor is permitted entry at every handling class with any dog. The package is equal in value to 15 individual classes, but with weekly attendance throughout the year the price per class plummets to less than $5. This is an extraordinary deal for students, and it’s a great way for the club to bolster its coffers. Packages may even be purchased as gifts, and donated as raffle or auction items. Where there’s a will (and a shrinking budget) there’s always a way. The right handling class, with the right instructor at the right price, can mean the difference between an own- er handler who feels “all in” and one who drops out of the sport before ever having gotten started.
BIO
Dan Sayers has been an Owner Handler since 1985 when he showed his first Irish Wa- ter Spaniel (IWS) in Conformation. He’s shown a variety of breeds, and has handled IWS, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, and Sussex Spaniels to many Specialty and Group wins. Dan is a member of the Dog Writers Association of America and has contributed to a variety of print and digital publications, including the AKC Gazette, Dogs in Review, Sighthound Review, and Best in Show Daily. He is currently on Showsight’s editorial staff and is the co-host of Ring-Ready Live! with Lee Whittier. Dan attended Drexel University in Philadelphia where he earned a BS in Design, and he later received a Certificate in Graphic Design from the University of the Arts. As a designer and artist, Dan has produced dog-related works in a variety of media. He provided the artwork, editorial content, and digital page layout for the Irish Wa- ter Spaniel Club of America (IWSCA) Illustrated Standard, and his illustrations bring to life the words of the award-winning Encyclopedia of K-9 Terminology by Ed and Pat Gilbert. Dan has also judged at a variety of shows, including Sweepstakes at the Westbury Kennel Association, Morris & Essex Kennel Club, and two IWSCA National Specialties.
16 • T op N otch T oys , J uly 2022
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