Learning to Show Dogs-From Rookie to Champion

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Learning to Show Dogs-From Rookie to Champion A collection of helpful information as well as notes & thoughts along the way as we at A Zen Dog Trai

I was chosen to read an advanced copy of this book and read it cover to cover on the plane to Pennsylvania.A definite mu...
25/05/2024

I was chosen to read an advanced copy of this book and read it cover to cover on the plane to Pennsylvania.

A definite must read! Very well written book about setting up puppies for a successful life starting from day one using science-based brain development coupled with experience. Many great ideas for breeders as well as puppy parents who are welcoming a puppy to their home. Should be on everyone's bookshelf!

Celadon Books

Create beautiful lists of recommendations that you can share with friends, clients, or followers

10/04/2024

Dog show process cheat sheet.

One of today’s projects- All 8 dogs!
16/03/2024

One of today’s projects- All 8 dogs!

We have accumulated so many great books, many who are mentors with a great deal of experience, and we wanted to share th...
27/02/2024

We have accumulated so many great books, many who are mentors with a great deal of experience, and we wanted to share the knowledge that was shared with us. Encompasses breeding, training, showing as well as structure and movement.

Bookmark it so you can stay in the know for books we add!

Our years of experience and great mentors have filled our shelves with some excellent books about a variety of dog topics. Check this out for your next great read, or two!

25/02/2024

AKC 2024 point schedules are up!

Have you paid your rent today? 🤔
21/02/2024

Have you paid your rent today? 🤔

Have a list of products, books and websites you like to recommend to your fellow dog lovers or puppy buyers?  Want to ma...
20/02/2024

Have a list of products, books and websites you like to recommend to your fellow dog lovers or puppy buyers? Want to make some $$ for a few more fancy collars and treats?

Check out Benable! My list will be available soon. 😉

Benable is a tool to create shareable lists of things you recommend! You can skip the waitlist and create your own shareable lists by signing up using my invite link:

Create recommendation lists for friends, clients, or followers

🙌👏🙌👏
16/02/2024

🙌👏🙌👏

What will you master this year? 🤔
10/02/2024

What will you master this year? 🤔

27/01/2024
Kids need to understand a dog’s body language for a more harmonious relationship and for bite prevention to be honest. H...
25/01/2024

Kids need to understand a dog’s body language for a more harmonious relationship and for bite prevention to be honest.

Here’s a great book for young children.

What's Up, Pup?: How Our Furry Friends Communicate and What They Are Saying

Do you double check your dog's show record?  Honestly, I was very on top of our dog's show records, until we had more th...
30/12/2023

Do you double check your dog's show record?

Honestly, I was very on top of our dog's show records, until we had more than 3 dogs to keep track of. Now I make sure to check as often as I can and definitely at year end. As a result of this, I noticed Percy was missing his second major from the June Hound show specialty. YIKES!

How do you handle something like this? First, I am going to pull his official AKC show record and check those results against what our results and ribbons show. Here is how you do that:

Go to AKC.org
1) At the top menu bar, click on SPORTS & EVENTS
2) Click on POINTS & AWARDS
3) You will need to have an AKC account if you don't already. So sign up to access all this information.
4) Click on FIND A DOG to look up the dog you are interested in. You can do this by name or registration #.
5) Once you have this, your screen will look like the first picture, with the dog you just looked up listed first.
6) Click on View Points/Summary of the Title Progression for this dog. See photo 2. Is it accurate? In our case, no.
7) Go back to the POINTS and AWARDS page. On the right side is the place you will want to click on awards record. Click it and then hit continue shopping.
8) Click on competitors report
9) I ordered INDIVIDUAL DOG AWARD RECORD to review what he did this year.
10) This is a reason to keep your ribbons and get professional photos with the judge for a big win to have additional proof of placement for wins and points. I know of one friend who has judges autograph her ribbons. Smart!

In this case, it appears I made a mistake and the BOS placement in March was not a major like we thought. Not concerned, we will take care of that soon enough. He is maturing beautifully!

FYI - You can order reports for ANY dog, even if you do not own them. So, if you want to research a particular dog or bloodline and their performance, this is one place to get additional information.

Hey wonderful dog people!! I want to give a HUGE SHOUT OUT to all the amazing nice people out there that take the time t...
14/12/2023

Hey wonderful dog people!!

I want to give a HUGE SHOUT OUT to all the amazing nice people out there that take the time to help, mentor and just generally be great people!! I see you and don’t want you to think my focus is only on the bullies in the dog community. I appreciate all the wonderful people in my life that have made such a difference for me and many others. You are truly amazing!

May Santa bless you this holiday season with all your heart desires, except for a Wolfhound ride. 🤪

06/10/2023

Dog coats on MAJOR SALE!!! 🥳

Check this out.

ChickSaddlery.com - Saddle, Horse Tack and Horse Supply Warehouse. Western Saddles, English Saddles, saddlery, Tack, Horse and riding equipment at discount prices.

07/09/2023

Some show clothes guidelines....

Clothing should be comfortable, well fitting, professional and complimentary to the dog.

Pluses are pockets, easy to clean, easy to travel with.

01/06/2023

❤️

New day, new breed but same need for handling classes.Classes serve many purposes for both the handler and dogs and you ...
05/02/2023

New day, new breed but same need for handling classes.

Classes serve many purposes for both the handler and dogs and you are never so much of an expert that you should feel okay with skipping classes altogether.

For this myself and this girl, a Silken Windhound named June Bug, classes help us with:

1. Me learning to handle a much smaller breed.
2. Gaiting at the right speed for her is very different than a Wolfhound. Finding the right speed for down & back as well as around.
3. I need a different lead for her. This one is just wrong. Would rather figure that out here than a show.
4. She learns in a show like environment about what this game is all about.
5. Dogs behind and in front of her is no big deal for standing and gaiting.
6. Even if there are other cute puppies, it’s not playtime.
8. She gets yummy treats in class in exchange for things as simple as standing still.
9. We learn how to handle specific issues we had at previous shows, which in this case was swinging her butt out when asked to stack after gaiting.
10. The before and after class walk around the neighborhood is a good confidence builder, just like class.
11. It’s easier to video classes to review to see what we need to work on.

29/01/2023

Conformation or obedience- This top training tip will put you ahead of your competition!

Highly recommend!! Along with her podcast - Pure Dog Talk
19/01/2023

Highly recommend!! Along with her podcast - Pure Dog Talk

Are you new to dog shows? Confused and Overwhelmed? Seeking advice to improve your success? Want a refresher course while you drive to the dog show, commute to work or groom your dog? This eBook is for you. Curation and collection of Pure Dog Talk podcast episodes on stacking your dog, moving wit...

What are your goals for 2023?Share so we can all cheer you on!
08/01/2023

What are your goals for 2023?

Share so we can all cheer you on!

We would like to welcome all our newest members to our page!Everyone- please share a bit about yourself and your dogs.  ...
06/11/2022

We would like to welcome all our newest members to our page!

Everyone- please share a bit about yourself and your dogs. I am hoping for this group to be more active going forward but in order to do that, I need you to share on the page as well. 😉

I will start. My journey into the dog show world started in 2015 with my first Irish Wolfhound. He is now 7.5 and a Grand Champion with 16 additional titles. We have added 2 more Wolfhounds, 1 Borzoi and 2 Silken Windhounds since then as well as bred our first litter.

We have learned so much on our journey so far and look forward to learning even more.

19/08/2022

First shows are about so much more than ribbons, although he did well. 😉
It is about building a solid foundation for a puppy so that showing is a fun enjoyable experience for him. This confidence will show in the ring as he grows into a mature adult.

show

Nicely gaiting on a loose lead, which is our goal. Tight leads tend to throw off the gait in many breeds. Because we sho...
06/08/2022

Nicely gaiting on a loose lead, which is our goal. Tight leads tend to throw off the gait in many breeds.

Because we show in conformation as well as obedience and rally, we teach a separate command for walking & gaiting next to us for each one. This is because in conformation, you want you dog looking forward and focusing on simply gaiting. In obedience and rally, you want your dog to focus on you and that will throw off the gait even when they are moving correctly for what they are doing.

The type of lead and collar used are also good contextual clues for your dog as to what they are expected to do.

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