25 Generally Common Helpful Hints
Description
This article is from the Obedience Trials, by Cindy Tittle Moore with numerous contributions by others.
25 Generally Common Helpful Hints
1. Make sure you praise your dog between exercises so they don't get
stressed This way you can also keep the dog's attention on you.
2. If you need to, you can gently guide your dog by the collar
3. Teach the dog pivots, so that you can position the dog without
repeatingly turning around and around (and around,and around....)
4. Make sure your dog is clean (judges HATE to touch dirty dogs)
5. Tie your hair back (if it is long)
6. Make sure your clothes don't interfere with the dog's movement.
7. Have a pleasant expression on your face, otherwise the dog will
react to the difference in your personality (who is this strange
person I'm with?)
8. Give all command in the same tone of voice as when you train.
9. Think about your handling - try to forget about the dog. You
should have confidence in him by now. If you worry about something
(or dwell on something) it will probably come true. Try to keep a
positive attitude.
10. Always check to see if there are missing dogs (or dogs with
conflicts) ahead of you). Never go to the steward's table with
your dog.
11. Keep your dog away from you until just before you show. Do a brief
warmup, but not too much.
12. Make sure that your dog has been exercised and will not foul the
ring.
13. Arrive AT LEAST one hour before you show. Walk the dog through the
whole show area, then put him away.
14. After the last sit and down group is complete, (if you have
qualified), get your dog and warm them up for a run-off - no
matter how you feel about your performance.
15. Watch at least 2 or 3 dogs performance before you show (unless you
are the first or second dog) and plan where you will position
yourself. Watch carefully, where each exercise is done and what
the judges commands are.
16. Don't take gum into the ring (some judges consider it food). Empty
your pockets of extra change or keys.
17. Don't bring your dog up to the ring entrance until the judge is
ready for you - especially don't bring him up while the other dog
is exiting.
18. If you place, show good sportsmanship by congratulating the other
placers.
19. After the class is over, approach the judge and ask her/him if
s/he would be willing to go over your score. Most judges are more
than willing to do this after all the paperwork is complete - but
they are not required.
20. You might want to get a photograph done if you get a placement or
a C.D. that day.
21. Always verify your score at the superintendent's table after the
judge has turned in the book. Sometimes there are errors. If you
placed, make sure that your number is in the correct place.
22. If you place first, you will need to wait around until another
class finishes with a first place that is higher than your score
(for the High in Trial award)
23. Check (in the catalog) to see if you are eligible for any special
prizes. (i.e. High Scoring Hound, High Scoring Senior Citizen,
etc). Check before the trial, as sometimes you need to sign up for
a possible prize. Always check afterwards as well.
24. Always verify that your dog's name (and your address) is listed
correctly in the catalog (or on the entries that you receive in
the mail)
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