Do You Have a Game Plan?

By Matthew G. Stroud

As another show season begins, ask yourself: do you know why you’re going? Are you chasing points or progress?

Many exhibitors say they have a goal, but few stop to question what that really means. For some, it’s finishing a title. For others, it’s a run at Owner-Handled rankings or that first group placement. Between the ribbons and reality sits something harder to define: a strategy. Not a dream or a wish, but a direction.

Planning often starts with a calendar. We circle weekends, note where the majors are, check judges, and tell ourselves we’re being strategic. But true strategy goes deeper. It asks what success looks like for you and your dog. Some show to build skill, others to earn points, and many simply to enjoy the time together. There’s no wrong answer, only the wrong approach. Some exhibitors thrive on competition, others on consistency. A clear roadmap helps you know which is which before frustration sets in. Without it, every loss feels heavier and every weekend starts to blur together.

Even the best strategies change. Your girl comes into season and blows coat. The majors disappear in your area. Work pulls you away more than expected. Or your dog, once eager to go, starts to tell you it’s not having fun.

In those moments, you pivot. Perhaps you enter fewer shows but make each one count. Or you shift focus to training and conditioning. Maybe you take a break, step back, and return stronger. The exhibitors who last aren’t the ones whose year goes perfectly; they’re the ones who know how to handle it when it doesn’t. Winners make adjustments. Others keep repeating the same mistakes. Smart strategy isn’t about control. It’s about direction and being content with where that direction leads.

Each choice comes with trade-offs. Chasing points might mean less time at home. Spending more time training could mean finishing later in the year. If you’re proud of how you got there, that’s what matters. The right goal is the one you can live with when the season ends.

Dog shows can make you believe progress only moves forward. Skip a few weekends and it feels like everyone else has passed you by. You scroll through Facebook, see familiar names posting win photos, and start to wonder if you’re falling behind. You’re not. Momentum isn’t the same thing as motion. Sometimes stepping away is what allows real progress to happen. Dogs mature, handlers evolve, and skills sharpen quietly. The ring doesn’t reward panic. It rewards patience.

Comparison is the quickest way to lose sight of your own goals. You might watch a campaigned special rack up group placements while you’re chasing that last major. Or notice a newcomer finishing fast in a breed you’ve shown for years. A solid strategy keeps you grounded in your purpose. Maybe you’re aiming for that championship. Perhaps you’re focused on NOHS points or preparing for your national. Or you simply want to show your dog to the best of your ability and enjoy the weekends along the way. There’s no single definition of success. The real question is whether your goals still make you proud.

An effective game plan has three parts: intention, preparation, and flexibility. Intention means knowing why you’re showing. Preparation means matching your time, training, and budget to that goal. Flexibility means accepting that everything, from the weather to your work schedule, can change overnight. The exhibitors who thrive are the ones who adapt. They study results, learn from feedback, and adjust without losing confidence. They see every weekend as information, not judgment.

You also don’t have to do it all on your own. There are more ways than ever to stay organized and informed, from online entry systems and superintendent alerts to digital tools that help you follow results and plan your season. The point isn’t which one you use, but that you use something that keeps you focused and inspired. The strongest strategies combine experience, instinct, and a willingness to evolve.

Every exhibitor has had a season that didn’t go as expected: a dog that stopped loving the ring, a family commitment that made travel impossible, a stretch of weekends where nothing clicked. The temptation is to push harder. Often, the right move is to pause, refine, and reset. The most successful exhibitors play the long game. They think in seasons, not weekends. They understand that the journey to a title can matter just as much as the title itself.

The ring rewards connection. When your decisions start and end with what’s best for your dog, everything else has a way of coming together.

Wherever you are in the year, take a moment to look ahead. Think about what you want your weekends to feel like, not just what you want to win. The calendar will fill on its own, but a good plan has to hold up when life gets real.

Looking back months from now, will you be satisfied with what you accomplished and how you adjusted when things changed? Or will you wish you had entered one more show, made one more drive, or trusted your gut a little sooner?

The best exhibitors don’t just show up. They show up with purpose.
So, do you have a game plan?

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Posted by Liz on Dec 2 2025. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.