Campaigning Your Dog: The Big Picture
By Deb Cooper
In Part 1 of this article, I gave some insight about my views regarding optimizing one’s relationship with his or her handler. After further contemplation, I realized that this was only a piece, albeit a significant one, of a much larger picture. My intent here is to share my views on the big picture of campaigning your dog.
Set Goals
Goals for your special’s campaign should be set by the team. I define the team as the owner, the handler, the breeder and, of course, your dog! While it may be very difficult, listen to those who can be more objective about your dog’s potential, and realize that with some hard work and dedication you may be able to build on the potential that already exists.
Be realistic in the goals you set and be pleasantly surprised if you exceed your goals. Don’t expect to take out a special that took two years to finish and consistently win breeds and groups. When mapping out your dog’s campaign, you should contemplate what it is that you are trying to do – do you want your dog in the Top 10 in Breed points, in group points, or are you really pulling out all of the stops and are you trying to rank in the top 10 in your group? Once again, I must remind you to listen to those that you have hired to help you achieve your goals – let them do their job. If you realize that your goals are not consistent, this should be recognized early on and a change should be made, or a serious discussion held and agreement reached relative to what your goals should be. Not all dogs can be top show dogs – it takes a combination of attitude, conformation, drive and conditioning. A dog that doesn’t want to be a show dog will be frustrating to campaign. You can have the most awesome example of your breed, but if that dog does not enjoy going into the ring and proving that to everyone else, you will be met with some frustrating times ahead.
Contemplate the Commitment
While you have now agreed with your team what you are trying to achieve with your dog, you have to seriously decide if you are up to the challenge yourself. If you have a dog that needs to live with your handler to form a bond, can you let that dog go? Once living with your handler, can you accept that you are hiring that individual to decide what is best for your dog to keep him or her in top show condition, and to maintain that show dog frame of mind? If you are fortunate enough to have a dog that can do his or her best and continue to live with you, then are you up for a strict conditioning regimen? If you have a dog that has a coat that needs to be maintained, are you willing to spend the time and effort necessary to maintain it? I, for one, am very supportive of the individual who wants to be as involved as possible in their dog’s show career. However, I also recognize the importance of the owner doing their part. Your handler can only do their best if they have the best dog with which to work. The phrase “that’ll do” can no longer be in your vocabulary if you are responsible for maintaining your dog’s condition and attitude for the show circuit!!
Managing Relationships
When you begin campaigning your dog, you should consider that you need as much on your side as possible. As I mentioned in my previous article, you should always try to optimize your investment. This means managing the relationships with your fellow sportsmen, and judges, as much as managing your relationship and your handler’s relationship with your dog. Whether you are showing your dog yourself or you have a handler showing your dog, you MUST be able to lose graciously, congratulating whoever is standing in that BOB spot. While you may not agree with the judge’s opinion, you paid for it and you got it. Losing graciously can be difficult – if you need to vent, DON’T do it where others can see or hear you – do it in your truck, do it in your hotel room, or do it in the restroom – NOT at ringside! Winning graciously is also extremely critical!!! You will not receive support from the community if your attitude is not sportsmanlike and somewhat humble.
Terrorizing judges after they have made what you feel is the wrong decision is something that should be avoided. While it may make you feel better short-term, it will hurt you long-term. If you have hired a handler to show your dog, and then you as owner go up to the judge and ask why they made the decision they did, that stigma will attach itself to your dog and you could have, in one shot, hurt your dog’s chances under that judge next time.
Being overly critical of a competitor or “killing” the competition as it is known in the business is also something that I am strongly against. In the long haul, if you play fair and continue to be a good sport, your overall campaign will be more successful, and you will receive more support from the community. Please don’t kid yourself! In order to maximize your effectiveness with your campaign, you MUST have support of the dog show community. Remember, you are trying to do what is best for your dog.
Advertising
There are two schools of thought on advertising. The two schools of thought I refer to are those that simply don’t believe in advertising and those that do. I believe that the majority of handlers believe that a campaign will be more successful with advertising. There are some folks who either don’t believe in advertising or who do not want to spend the money. I personally advertise because I enjoy it! I enjoy creating the ads, and I enjoy looking at them. My advice is follow your handler’s lead – if they think that you can increase your success by placing an ad or two, I would encourage you to do it – if you don’t, and you are not where you want to be, I don’t believe that you can hold it totally against your handler. If you are showing your dog yourself, you will have to decide, if your dog’s campaign will benefit from a bit of P/R or not…
Maintain Perspective
Now it is time for me to get on my soapbox!!! It is critical to remember at all times throughout your dog’s career that the race for Number 1, the race for top dog, the race for that BIS all involve a living creature. Your dog will show well if he or she feels well and is rested. If exhausted, he or she will not show well, will not grow hair, will not ask for the win, etc. DON’T forsake friendships, your dog’s well-being, or relationships that you have developed for a win. You will regret it in the long run. Be thankful when you do well, be supportive when others do well. If you have a handler, remember that this, too, is a living person that has needs, gets tired, and can only do their best. Give your handler and your dog a pat on the back when they look good, whether you win or not.
Most importantly, NEVER forget that your dog is doing this because you are asking them to; they deserve consideration in return. All of our time on this earth is limited, and you never know when your dog’s time will be up. If you wake up every day and be thankful for what you have, and ALWAYS praise your dog after they show well, whether they win or not, you will not have guilty feelings should something happen.
Short URL: http://caninechronicle.com/?p=6053
Posted by Comments are closed
