SHOW ME THE WAY

CnCh Rokaro's Infanta Ikona  CD CGC AKC pointed, qualified for coursing, good mother of a lovely litter of 10.  She will work for anyone, always smiling, for a pat on the head...a tribute to her excellent pedigree based on lines winning in the ring, on the field and at obedience trials.  She went to obedience classes, not handling classes, for all this poise.

HOW TO GET FROM LEFT TO RIGHT? Work hard, and you can do it too!

            Training puppies to behave well at dog shows is a complex process that often puzzles novices, and even experienced breeders or owners may run into dogs that challenge their every approach.

            Programs aimed at preparing young dogs for the ring are called handling classes.  A handling class, if you can find one in your area, will cover topics such as filling in entries for shows, general ring etiquette, including how to know when your class goes in, how to determine order of handlers and dogs, ring patterns, what to do if you win your class, go Best of Breed, and so on.  If you show in both Canada and the U.S., you need to be aware of the differences in show regulations that may not be covered in your classes.  For example, there is no Novice Class in Canadian shows, and Best Puppy in Breed must compete for Best Puppy in Groups, and Best Puppy in Show, or lose any points gained in the classes.  You must also verify as to whether you can show in Bred By Exhibitor class.

            Handling classes will have a mix of breeds, excellent training for your dog.  Your Borzoi will have to walk through the show grounds and precincts with many dogs of various sizes and dispositions.  These mixed classes will be good preparation for the real show world.

            Grooming for shows cannot usually be taught by the instructor of a handling class, as there will be too many different requirements.  Seek an expert in your breed, pay them if necessary, and learn the fine points.  (A general article on Borzoi grooming is available on my site).  Liquid tooth cleaner can be tried on some Borzoi, and you can try out new toothbrushes and dentifrice.  I have had good results with a new groomers' rake with a Teflon surface.

            Wherever two or more Borzoi aficionados gather, shampoos and conditioners are a favorite topic of conversation.  No. 1 All Systems is popular where I live, and some swear by a horse product called Mane and Tail,  others by an Australian product.  Trial and error will determine which suits your Borzoi's individual coat.  Avoid buying a large quantity until you see if it works well.

            Since I acquired my first Borzoi, opinion has shifted on trimming whiskers.  An influential article in the Borzoi Canada Newsletter called The Amputation of the Vibrissae had quite an impact.  Many feel that removing what is a sensory organ may endanger Borzoi not only on the field, but in play around the kennel, contributing to what may be fatal collisions.  This does not preclude removing stray whiskers under the chin.  I refused to have my first Borzoi's whiskers removed for show.  Xavier had a magnificent set, long like a cat.  I was tempted to remove the only black one in a set of white, but resisted!  While this caused a stir, my position is now vindicated, and the only shaved down Borzoi at our Ontario shows are usually from out of Canada. The breeder judges I consulted on the subject said it was a matter of indifference to them, and that they never noticed if a dog had whiskers on or off.

            In Canada and the United States, Borzoi tend to be trimmed below the hocks for a neater appearance, and for an inch above the front paws to prevent the fringes from getting dirty off the ground.  The hair over the ears can be thinned out to prevent having a Borzoi who looks like Yoda in Star Wars, but removing all the protective cover leaves the Borzoi vulnerable to attacks by insects.  A valuable Canadian show dog died from an abscess in the ear caused by the invasion of a large insect.  Dogs from the eastern and southern U.S. are often trimmed more radically as a matter of local fashion.  Most groomers will trim for a neat tapered line underneath, but not to extremes.  Trimming that exposes the genitals on the male is going too far.

            In the U.K., Borzoi are shown without excessive trimming, and the feathers on hocks are often left in a natural state.  Study the photos in Borzoi International or videos of the specialties, comparing Crufts to Westminster, for example, and you can see the difference.

            Handling classes are usually indoors on rubber matting, which is good preparation for indoor shows.  Be on the lookout for dogs afraid of tape where the mats joined.  You can arrange to have them practice with difference colours of tape.  Azart leaped like a deer over silver tape.  We trained him a bit (and also bought the club black tape at our expense for the next show!)  One that was afraid of slipping was fed on the kitchen linoleum until she got over it.  Be sure to have a tacky foot spray to use on your Borzoi to prevent sliding on the mats.  You can use it on your own shoes as well.  The worst situation I saw was when mats were laid on hockey ice surface.  Some very severe falls occurred both with the dogs and the handlers.

            We train for grass shows by putting out five traffic cones and working the ring patterns inside a simulated ring.  Be sure you have suitable shoes, as I have seen drastic falls by handlers stepping into a dip on the grass surface.

            Ring patterns can be learned from a book plus practice.  Learn to stack your dog, practice a courtesy turn, work on doing a down and back, a triangle, a T and an L.  The last two require you to change the lead from the left to the right and train your Borzoi to go on your right side on occasion.  All this should be done on a slack lead, with the dog gaiting at your side.  Learn to take long strides to help your Borzoi move out well.  Work at it, and have an experienced person evaluate you and offer constructive criticism.

            To bait or not to bait?  I just attended a show where the proceedings had to be stopped and cleanup crew called for a handler who distributed crumbly cheese all over the mats.  It is somewhat disgusting to see handlers running with chunks of liver in their mouths, or throwing these treats all over to distract the other dogs.  You may use anything like a squeaker or a fur rat.  Most of my dogs bait as well for fingers rubbed with liver as with the food itself.  Remember that the judge has the right to forbid baiting.

            Responding well to the judge is important.  Get someone to dress up in various costumes, with glasses, sunglasses, dangling jewelry and assorted hats.  Be sure your dog will show for both men and women.  Good advice is to have your practice judge give a food treat to your dog.  It will then approach the 'judge' in a keen and positive manner.  Get an assortment of objects that judges throw, such as keys and matches.  Let the dog get used to this procedure, which is done to test temperament and see if the ears will go up.  The Russians thought mobile ears in Borzoi were important, and so do some judges.

            Naturally much practice must be done with stacking and having the dog submit to being gone over.  Genitals of male dogs are checked for two descended testicles.  Tail length is checked by having the tail drawn down to the hock, or through the legs to see if it can be drawn up to the spine.  Get puppies well used to having their lips pulled up to expose the bite and to check for missing pre-molars.  Food rewards after these sessions make the dog look forward to the training and the show.  It must not show resentment in the ring at being handled.

            Work your dog with others ahead or behind it, so that it will not turn around and look at the one behind, nor run up on the rear of the one ahead.  Teach it well that training is not playtime, and that it is business, not time to jump on other dogs.  Be very cautious about small dogs at the ringside area.  Try to train your Borzoi to leave small dogs alone.  Even an attempt at rough play can injure a toy.

            Travel to shows also requires practice.  Make outings pleasant.  If the only time your dog gets in a vehicle is for shots, don't expect him to want to travel to an event without fear.  If your dog is not fond of your vehicle, try getting it inside for food, treats and toys.  Don't even try driving it.  Gradually start with small outings to places the dog enjoys.  Soon it will be begging to go.  Train your dog to be crated at a show for safety.  X-pens are NOT SAFE unless you have a supervisor at all times.  One BCOO show an entire couples' show entry escaped and headed out the door.  I was at a show in Wyoming where a collie jumped out when the owner took her own pottie break, and ran streaking through the worst side of town, with a number of ethnics in hot pursuit screaming at it in foreign languages.  It came within an ace of being run over.  In some areas, your dog can be in danger of being stolen by robbers after the vehicle.  Several show dogs have been tossed out in bad areas while the car thieves made off.  Naturally, respect all the rules for the show site, stoop and scoop, carry baggies in your pockets at all times, and watch for overheating dogs either in exposed crates or in a vehicle.  Shade blankets and other devices are a must for summer shows.  Take special precautions at benched shows, as visitors often poke at the dogs.  I also saw one roll a mesh bag crate right off the bench onto his head.  Supervision is always important for the protection of dogs and spectators at events.  For safety do not lead dogs in on flimsy show leads or flexi leads in case they escape in an unsafe area.  You can always change to your ring equipment when everyone is safely indoors away from traffic.

        If there are no handling classes in your area, try to work with an obedience class and arrange to have your dog stand when the others sit.  It will learn many useful things like gaiting with other dogs ahead and behind, turning neatly, changing speeds, standing for examination and more.

            It is also good to go to shows  by yourself just to watch.  Focus on the best handlers and the winning dogs and try to learn from their expertise.  You can also study what equipment is used, and try different leads and collars if your dog is not responding well to what you are using. Watch and tape the Westminster Show at the Gardens, and learn from the best of the best.

        When do you know if you are ready?  Go to some sanction matches and test your readiness with other exhibitors and judges.  These usually cost only $5-6 compared to show entries at $20-25.  I just had the enjoyment of taking out our little Kazakov, who behaved beautifully, and a dog visiting from another kennel with limited show background.  She did me proud and got a Hound Group 1st with nice prizes.  We had a run at Best in Match, which went to an Airedale puppy.  It was a lot of fun, and we know now that we can go to a regular show any time without undue concern.

        Make shows fun for you and your dog, and win or lose, it will be a pleasant outing and a chance to meet your friends and enjoy the classes and exhibits.  Your dog will be a pleasure to take along and show, if you are both well prepared.  Just Show him or her the Way!

And for a lot of laughs, rent the video Best in Show!

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