Handling Tip: Teach Your Dog a Trick!

Does your show dog know a fun trick? When filming for our recent “Don’t Follow Your Dog, Handle Your Dog” webinar, ‘Divot’ the Beagle was the perfect example of why it’s important to teach your dog a trick for the show ring. While a fun trick isn’t part of conformation handling, it is a great way to get your dog to reset, refocus, and take their mind off being bored or distracted in the ring. “Teach your dog a trick!” is a common piece of advice Allison shares to our students for dogs who are bored, distracted, need more animation, or dislike the show ring.
Some ideas for teaching your dog a trick are “spin” (in both directions!), “catch”, “back up”, “twirl”, “bow”... let us know what trick you’ve taught your show dog!

[@sherlockZmom]

Love it!! Do you have suggestions for tricks for giant breed dogs? We taught one of our danes to shake. Probably will not do that again.😂😅

[@paulaneville2925]

I have a 14 month old Chinese crested who absolutely loved showing, was super confident and did an amazing free stack. I also do agility training with him that he looooves. However he got really scared at an outdoor show in Aug when it was super windy and he was also charged by a Newfoundland dog. Since then I can do show ring routine anywhere and he is his perfect self but of we go to practice with other dogs in the building or to.actual show he shuts down and won't play or eat. Thinking he may be ruined but still a little hopeful. Suggestions??