Tips for dog shows
 

Here are a few tips for newbies and a reminder for experinced exhibitors....

Always keep your eye on your dogs and grooming stuff at shows.
Always try to share space in pairs (extra set of eyes).
Always have someone in your set up to watch your dogs if you have to leave your set up..never know who's watching and what they'll do to your dog or things when you leave.
Always be aware of your surroundings and those around you just like you would at a mall ect...
Get to know those set up next too you so you can help each other out if you need to leave your set up. Again..( you never know who's watching and waiting ).
Never leave your dogs or grooming equipment at the dog shows especially if you have one or two dogs overnight even though it's allowed and security is on sight.
Always be watching...our dogs are our children and like our children they need our protection.

I hope these tips help those new and old to the show ring and serve as a reminder that never let your guard down and get comfortable in your surroundings.

Donna Bird
Brooklynn's Yorkshire Terriers

Thanks Donna,

At times we do get complacent at dog shows.

You're welcome Mary...sometimes we get into a false sense of security and I'm guilty of it and glad I'm reminded of it so this will be a good resource for me to come back to so I can remind myself :)

Donna

Donna thanks for posting this. Mary is right we often get too complacent at the shows. My very first show was a large one at Hamburg New York, and the grooming area was in a separate building from the showring. My hubby and I got back into the grooming area, and found we had just missed an uproar, apparently two kids unsupervised had gone along and opened up dog crates. The exhibitors who were in the building caught the dogs, and managed to get them back in their crates. My hubby and I immediately went and bought a lock for our crate. And we thanked our lucky stars it wasn't Magic's crate that got opened!.

1. Lock up your crate when you can't be by your dog. note: we have bought a locking chain for Razz's little crate to lock onto our big crates.

2. don't leave food or water for your animals out unattended. Take it home with you

3. For our large dogs and crates - we will cover crate with solar blanket especially if we have to leave the dog unattended.

I am glad that the post (even though it got closed so fast) saw the light of day vs a vs Kentucky, as we are going there for our BRT National in Sept. Forewarned is forearmed.

Words to live by, though very rare thare have been incidents over here where people have had their dogs sabataged[ coats cut off etc] and worse a couple of cases where dogs were deliberately poisened.

There are so many things exhibitors must keep aware of. I remember an incident at a show one of the Texas Kennel clubs I was a member of. It involved soft sided crates. A larger breed dog somehow escaped and was running ramped through the show site....it took several people to contain him, but not without incident. The dog bit a couple of people. The good thing is the dog never made it out of the building.

Another incident happened (not at a show site) at a hotel. A yorkie went missing for several hours. How this yorkie escaped from the hotel room is still a mystery. The good thing about is that another yorkie exhibitor happened to see it and had it in her room, left a message at the front desk.

Another incident, involving hotel rooms & yorkies.......a yorkie got a hold of rat poison that had been placed there by hotel personel.....due to the quick thinking of the exhibitor the yorkie was saved. So, whenever staying at a hotel/motel....it is always wise to check under beds, furniture, corners before letting your dogs out to romp......

I know that I almost lost my Go-Go at a dog show. Standing ring side with her on the rinside table. A woman and her son entered the show site with an Irish Wolf Hound. She handed the lead over to the 8 or 9 year son, while she shopped at the various vendors. The Wolf Hound was a bit too much for this boy to handle....and was pulling the boy through the area that exhibitors were, waiting to go into the ring. The lead wrapped around my ringside table, just as I lifted Go-Go off the table it was toppled over.


So, as exhibitors and responsible pet owners....so many things to be aware of.....

Things can happen either by accident or by design.

Very good information. Thanks for sharing. I know the first time I setup up in Houston at the Reliant Center someone stole my dolly that I have left in my assigned space. Most of the time things are safe but unfortunately some people will steal things.

Another warning for exhibitors or spectators that take your dogs to a show. Some of the shows are very crowded. If you are walking around carrying your dog in your arms still be very careful. Once I walked pasted a big dog and the dog tried to grab the yorkie I was carrying. Luckily I far enough away that the big dog did not get him.

Thanks for the tip about locking the small crates to the larger ones. There was a yorkie stolen from a show in Alberta, Canada a couple of years ago. Sometimes when I send my dogs to a show with a handler, I really worry about someone stealing them as the handlers can't watch them every minute.

Your welcome; that brings up another thorny area that of professional handlers and what they are or are not responsible for, and what kind of insurance they carry.

I think at the minimum as the owner of the dog you send with a pro to show, that is well within reason to ask how he/she safeguards the dog at the show and when not at the show. Also a question is "if my dog gets stolen at a show while under your care, whose insurance covers this?

Another tip : I guess for newbies everywhere I know experienced handlers know this: but two of the most important commands to train your dog in is ; Leave it and Drop it.

Leave it: means ignore the food/treat/toy/whatever on the floor beside your nose.

Drop It: Is if you missed your dog picking up any of the above, Drop IT.


Whether you show or not these are great commands for your dog to obey. Sadly there are vicious people in this world who contaminate food and other things so that whatever dog picks it up will get sick or even die. I do not speak about only the show ring. It is spring now and summer is on the way; last year in Toronto at no less than three dog parks there was contaminated food left out for unwitting dogs and dog owners. Also at one very popular leash-free park that had water out for the dogs, this water somehow got contaminated as well.

Great advice from everyone! I'm so glad I started this thread it's been very enlightening with other ends of the spectrum as far as what can be done to safeguard our dogs out and about and even at home in our own backyard. There are people who can do things in our own backyard that do not like animals. I'm so fortunate enough to have great neighbors!!
Keep the tips coming!! Love it!!

Donna

Thanks Donna. One can never be too careful. I would die if anything happen to my dogs. Yes, our dogs are our babies. We do tend to be so complacent at shows, since - at our rings or in the grooming area - we pretty much know everyone close by us. We see them from show to show to show.
This is one reason when people ask me if they can bring their pet dogs to the shows, I try to discourage it. So much is happening at shows, so busy and crowded. We just do not live in a world now we can be always safe in. So sad.

wow thanks! do things normally happen back there?

Another thing people need to watch for is when you are traveling to and from the show, use caution and try not to leave your dog unattended in a car. I know on long trips people need to stop and get gas and use the restroom. I have heard of several instances where dogs were stolen from the vehicles when the owners were inside the store. If you are traveling alone then it can present a problem. I always lock the vehicle door, even if I am running in for a minute. If it is hot weather I leave the motor running with the a/c on. I have a spare key for the door locks to carry with me.

Yes good advice. I would also like to emphasize if at all possible travel with your dogs in crates. They are so much safer. If you have to stop suddenly, or if you are involved in an accident, those crates can literally save their lives. I'm not sure if it was on this list or another one I belong to but one owner - tapes their dogs medical history onto the crates, along with the pet insurance coverage, and a number to contact should the owners be uncapable of making decisions on their dog's care. Also with your dogs in crates, a frightened hurt dog can be safely removed from the car by rescue workers.

I am in the process of gathering together this info for my dogs, even in the city you live in it can help save your dogs life.

very good advice/info!

What do you mean Gemy? Whenever possible? You don't mean driving to show them without crates? This doesn't make sense. They can't run all over a motor home, car or unattended in a hotel room. You use crates the whole time.

Brooklynn,
Thank you for your posting!

***
You know what?
I was at Westminster …just as a spectator!
I meet the ppl whom I like a lot!”…(not a Yorkie ppl)
Anyway!
See the situation!
Someone who is petting the dog accidentally/or not… (just before the ring) stepped on the dog feet… you know the reaction of dog for that…
My friend, her husband and I are about to…
But! The handler-breeder, who was showing the dogs all over the Europe was so calm…
She even calmed us…
She say: “If you can’t handle the situation like that, just stay home! Don’t scare the dog!”
I was REALLY surprised at first…
But she is so right!
Still I need to process that, but gush how much do we need to learn!
Geee…how much we need to learn!

Brooklynn, once again! Thank you for your posting!

Wow!
If some one is about to take Ur dog they'll take it with the crate...

***
I think the trust is a key!
You should try to make friends (or I should say "the team") and enjoy the show! :animal-pa

[QUOTE=Elle;3048359]What do you mean Gemy? Whenever possible? You don't mean driving to show them without crates? This doesn't make sense. They can't run all over a motor home, car or unattended in a hotel room. You use crates the whole time.[/QUOTE

My dogs always travel in crates but some people put them in doggie car seats with a harness...but again, I prefer the crates much safer in my opinion :)

[quote=Brooklynn;3048458]You're talking about pet homes that are uneducated.

[quote=Elle;3049574]No, I actually have dog show people that are very educated that put their pets in doggie car seats and when I say pets our show dogs are our pets...but I transport my dogs in crates but dont hold it against those I know and love that use the doggie car seats :)

[quote=Brooklynn;3049579]I use both. But, when traveling to shows they are in crates. At home, bopping around town, I use the car seats. I love them and so do my dogs, actually very safe, they are double harnessed in. The car seat is fasted in place by the seat belt and the dog harnessed and buckled in. As you say my show dogs are my pets.

[quote=Brooklynn;3049579]Hummmm. Show people not crating toys. News to me. I don't know anyone that transports this breed by way of car seats.
I've seen some bypass a crate if they prep off site. The distance to/from show site from hotel. While some may say 1 mile, 200 miles, what's the difference? There is a difference. No freeways etc. We have our own perception of safety.
Unless you are referring to car seats that are cutting edge---unbeknown to me.
I've had two types of car seats. One a bucket type that hangs on the head rest. It has a popular screen print of the breed on it. I never put it in the car. The other is a foam type that sits in the seat. It has a pull out storage drawer in it with a black cover. This one holds two dogs. They can jump out of it/hanging from the side. People rave about the later one. Both junk.

There may be must of it than I'm aware of. Everyone parks all over the place.

Hummmm. Show people not crating toys. News to me. I don't know anyone that transports this breed by way of car seats.
I've seen some bypass a crate if they prep off site. The distance to/from show site from hotel. While some may say 1 mile, 200 miles, what's the difference? There is a difference. No freeways etc. We have our own perception of safety.
Unless you are referring to car seats that are cutting edge---unbeknown to me.
I've had two types of car seats. One a bucket type that hangs on the head rest. It has a popular screen print of the breed on it. I never put it in the car. The other is a foam type that sits in the seat. It has a pull out storage drawer in it with a black cover. This one holds two dogs. They can jump out of it/hanging from the side. People rave about the later one. Both junk.

There may be must of it than I'm aware of. Everyone parks all over the place.[/quote]

If harnessed in properly the dogs shouldn't be able to jump out of a good dog seat. Just as in babes in baby seats, if used properly, they keep them pretty safe. I've been in a car accident with my dogs in a crate......even harnessed in tightly they were jostled around and one had to be taken to ER because of injuries caused by bein jostled around.

But, just because one chooses to use a car seat over a crate doesn't make them undeducated......at least the dog isn't lose in the car......

thank you I do have friends, and I do enjoy showing.

Unlikely they will take the crate as it is Locked up to large crate. That is the point of locking to the Large crate contains a large guard dog that would not sit quietly by when a stranger comes to their crates.

I guess someone could saw through the lock - again it takes time and lots of noise. Or maybe they could lift 130lbs of dog and trundle out with him, and the Razz.

Trust, all it takes is one determined wacko....walking by and giving your dog a poisoned treat.....

The whole purpose of this thread is to be on the look out & not to be so trusting.

If harnessed in properly the dogs shouldn't be able to jump out of a good dog seat. Just as in babes in baby seats, if used properly, they keep them pretty safe. I've been in a car accident with my dogs in a crate......even harnessed in tightly they were jostled around and one had to be taken to ER because of injuries caused by bein jostled around.

But, just because one chooses to use a car seat over a crate doesn't make them undeducated......at least the dog isn't lose in the car......[/QUOTE]
That's cute Mary LOL. undeducated
I said uneducated pet homes as an example of people that transport dogs without much understanding of safety. I'm not back peddling on it. IMO a show home should be well educated on transportation. I can't imagine a toy, especially a puppy being in a car seat on a freeway. JMHO.

Yes .. this is true .. which is why I lock the crates when I can't be around. I think there is a balance point we each have, if I felt so afaird that given reasonable cautions, locking, trusted friends looking out, even the mere act of showing would entail a high risk to my dogs or myself, then I would simply stop showing.