I show my dogs. Here are some tips on preparing the dog. Extract from the link below.
Like help!! Where do I begin.
Conformation showing is not just about your dog looking exactly to breed standard. Training, grooming, the skin and coat from the inside out, teeth, bite, eyes, bone structure, gait and temperament make up most of the factors.
You are also an important part of showing, yes it can be nerve wracking when you first start, if you are not relaxed and confident, your dog won't be either.
A special note....if your dog does not win in the ring, never be angry or show your displeasure to your dog, it just does not understand.
** Note information supplied is Australian based, if you live in another country please check with your breed club first before relying on all that is posted here.
First up you need to know the points of a dog. *See 1 the diagram below.
Now get your breed standard, have a look at this diagram and check what your standard is, using this picture as a guide to compare it to your dog. If purchasing an intended show pup, look at the parents.
It is pretty hard to judge how a pup will look as an adult for show standard, but the parents will give a fair indication. Every breed has a specific height, beware of this when looking at the parents.
Once you know your dog is suitable to show and has no disqualifying faults IE:- severe mis marks in coat, too tall/short(puppies exempted), clipped when coat is required, wrong eye color, bone problems, etc. You are ready to start.
Training is the first step. If you intend to show don't go to obedience class. You do not want your dog to do the typical sit, stay commands. In fact your dog has to stand, not sit at all.
But puppy socialization is a must, as your show dog is not to be submissive, or shy towards other dogs or people, any aggressive behavior, you will be disqualified straight away.
As soon as you get your puppy start touching it, everywhere, especially the mouth, looking in the ears, lifting the eyelids gently, touching the toes and tail. If you have a male touch his testicles, the judge will check always to make sure he has two well descended testicles, if not he will be disqualified.
Lead training. First of all don't put a normal collar on your dog, it will mark the fur, you want your dog to look it's best on show day. You will need a very fine slip lead.
Find yourself a quiet place first where there are no distractions, slip the lead round pups neck and have plenty of tasty treats on hand. The idea is to not pull your pup, just get it to walk beside you coaxing with treats till pup is not pulling or biting at the lead.
5 minutes about 5 times daily is enough for a young puppy. Never hit or strike at your puppy, even in frustration, it will make it shy.
Once pup is accustomed to walking on the lead you can step it up a little. The idea is to get your pup to gait, not run, you will have to be semi jogging yourself to accomplish this. You need to practice this often for very short bursts otherwise pup will become overtired.
The judge will give allowances for the age of your pup.
Pup/Dog needs to be trotting freely beside you, neither pulling or lagging on leash. *See picture 2 below.
Once your pup has mastered this it is time to bring in the distractions, a show is a very busy place, lots of people and other dogs. Get a family member or a friend to come on the scene, get them to clap, run round, even rattle biscuits etc. Pup now has to do the same run without stopping to look at the other person.
Stacking. This is the term used for making your dog stand in a particular way. Every breed has their own stacking style, you will need to check with your club or breeder on how yours is to be stacked exactly. I know the GSD has to have their feet placed much further back and the tail held higher for example.
If you are training a puppy I used a table to start with. Once they have the hang of it there I move to the ground.
Get a family member or a friend to come on the scene, get them to clap, run round, even rattle biscuits etc. Pup now has to stack without squirming to look at the other person.
Grooming. Get pup used to being washed and groomed. This is an essential part of showing. Never go to the show with a dirty dog.
Good skin and coat come from the inside out. What you feed can make a great difference to coat, general appearance and health (Fish oil/Omega 3, is great for shine, 1 teaspoon of an omega 3 margarine per day does wonders).
Every breed also has it's own specific requirements for show standard and you will have to check with your club.
A few tips to help in general....Don't wash your dog the day before the show, do it 2 days before, this allows time for natural oils to give it shine and let it settle.
Every country also has forbidden no, no's and here it is dyes. Make sure you check out your no, no's.
Some breeds also have certain areas trimmed, my breed for example has the very tip of the tail trimmed and that is all. Whereas the Old English is trimmed along all paws, ears, bum, mane and beard.
Bleaching. No not household bleach, it is a term used when a dogs' coat fades because of the sun. Happens a lot on darker coats, you will notice it when they moult, a lovely dark color coming through and all this paler fur moulting out.
Nothing worse in the ring, it looks awful and detracts from your dog.
The solution, sorry there is only one, have to keep your dog out of the sun if you want to show.
You may like to visit the link below, there is also a listing of breed clubs from around the world and others that show.