ETCETERA
by BONNIE GUGGENHEIM TNT Advertising Director & Associate Editor MAKE MINE FUN!
A ccording to statistics, the average dog person gets into dogs as a fun thing to do on weekends and feel it seems like a great family sport. They remain for five years and then quit either due to a lack of success, high cost of keeping dogs, showing or traveling and often it is simply too time consum- ing for the family. The saddest and most often heard reason is that it just isn’t fun. In those five years they may have had three litters, sold puppies, bred one of their males with one of their own or offered the dog at public stud. Some success may have come early on—or not—and they may or may not have offended serious breeders in the pro- cess. The majority of qualified mentors are not out soliciting new people and unless these newbies join some type of club they would not have access to those names or good connections. So then, how do we not only con- nect with new exhibitors and breeders, but guide them in the right direction and make it a fun experience for them? We dog folks are not always warm and welcoming for many reasons, but we do need to work on a friendly smile and an offer of help. Keep your comments positive on Facebook! Does our kennel club welcome new members or freeze them out at the first meeting? Would your specialty club like new members? How can you solicit potential good people and make them feel like a part of the club? How about the National Club? Many create so many road blocks that some folks simply lose interest in joining. Can you personally try and create a better and inclusive atmosphere for newcomers? Each one of us knows there is the greying of the dog world so we obvi- ously need to bring in new people who
Love your dogs and enjoy the sport. It should and can be fun. Bonnie bonnie@dmcg.com 863.738.8848
want to learn and are willing to work for the club. This topic is discussed all the time but are we doing any better? How can the situation improve? Your ideas? Inquiring minds want to know and if you are new and have sug- gestions, please email me! I want this sport that is so much a part of me to be fun for new and experienced people.
“...how do we not only connect with new exhibitors and breeders, but guide them in the right direction and make it a fun
experience for them?”
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