Why Isn’t My Dog Winning?

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134 – August, 2025

By Matthew G. Stroud

You hear it every weekend.

“The judge only puts up pros.”

“She looked up the lead.”

“Politics again.”

“They didn’t even glance at my dog.”

It’s frustrating. You spend the money, drive the miles, wash, groom, prep—and still walk away empty-handed. Meanwhile, professional handlers float out of the ring with ribbons in hand, while your dog—the one you love and believe in—barely gets a glance.

It’s easy to feel defeated. Easier still to blame the system.

But if your dog isn’t winning—again and again—it might be time to ask a different question.

What if the problem isn’t the judge? Or the pro handlers?

What if it’s something harder to admit—your preparation, or your role in the ring?

It’s tempting to believe the game is rigged. That relationships and reputations matter more than performance. But for most of us—especially those still gaining experience—that’s not what’s holding us back.

More often, the answer is simpler. And harder to own:

We weren’t ready.

Click here to read the complete article
134 – August, 2025

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