TIPS FOR OWNER HANDLERS
What is NOHS? The National Owner Handler Series, is an AKC division where owner handlers compete against each other and not against professional handlers. Most AKC shows now offer NOHS. There are National rankings and invitations to the top dogs in each breed to compete at the AKC National Dog Show held in December each year.
As an Owner Handler myself I know many of the pitfalls and all of the rewards of handling your own dog.
I came into the sport of showing dogs from riding and training dressage horses. In the upper international levels you may be riding a test of some 25-30+ very precise elements from memory. Dog shows were fun to watch, how hard could it be? You run around the ring a couple times, get your dog to stand still for a judge to go over them, take diagonal down and back. Easy, right? NO. NOT EASY AT ALL.
Thankfully, I have been fortunate to have some amazing mentors who shared their knowledge and their time helping me. Not everyone is that fortunate. It was still a pretty steep learning curve. Competing against professional handlers who have done this for years and compete nearly every weekend, is daunting. So, my best advice is to look as much like a professional handler as possible. I know I just said NOHS doesn't compete against the pros. But, the classes are concurrent and you will be in the ring with them. I can't tell how rewarding it is to place above the professional handlers. It means you've worked hard and really done your homework. Congratulations!
I'm going to share some tips to help you make that happen.
1. LEARN: all you can about your breed. Every AKC recognized breed has a parent club. Go to their website, download the standard and memorize it. I know that seems a bit extreme, but it's probably the most important thing you'll do to prepare. Know what the perfect conformation is for your breed. The judge is comparing your dog to the perfect specimen of your breed. Know what job they were bred to do.That's the reason for correct conformation as form follows function. And it will give you a huge edge when you start to train.
2, SOCIALIZE: Get your dog used to other people and other dogs that are also on leashes. After my puppies have had ALL of their shots (about 16-20 weeks) I will take them out in public. Except for visits to the vet, my puppies never step foot on anything but home soil. Most serious diseases Distemper, Parvo and Lepto are spread by feces or urine that is picked up by your dog's feet. Prior to full immunization, I have leash trained them in my house and yard and started playing with stacking. Just a few minutes at a time with lots of praise and treats. This is where a class really comes in handy. Walks in the park are also a good way to socialize your puppy. NEVER let your puppy touch noses with any other puppy or dog. This is the way some diseases are spread and some dogs see this as an invitation to fight.
3. TRAIN: Seek training for yourself and your dog. Many kennel clubs offer training classes. If your breeder is local, they can be a great resource. For those who belong to 4-H, many have dog training classes. There is a whole division for Junior Handlers and it offers college scholarships. There are many great videos online that are very helpful. Eric Salas has a whole YouTube channel of free videos. He shares everything from just starting out to finished dog. ORDER your collar and lead NOW. You will need to learn to use them properly to signal your dog..
4. PRACTICE. That means spending time learning to gait your dog properly and to free stack. If you have a dog that is shown on a table, it takes a lot of practice to smoothly stack your dog and have him/her stand still while a judge goes over them. A mirror is a huge help. A friend who will video you from the side and from the front/back will help too. Practice your hand signals and your lead/collar signals with and without your dog on the end.
5. GROOM. Learn to properly groom your breed. Some are more regulated than others. You've seen the poodles and the terriers with different types of precise trimming to accent their conformation. Some breeds are to be shown in natural coat and no trimming is allowed. A lot of work goes into making that natural coat stand out. Refer to your breed standard. Eric Salas has some very good grooming videos and tools.
6. CONDITION: If you have a breed that works, hunts, herds or is meant to be active; make sure they are in top condition. The judge wants to see a dog that can function as it was intended. That means sleek and muscular, neither overweight nor too thin with good stamina.
7. DRESS. Look at what the handlers wear. We're trying to appear indistinguishable, right? You don't have to spend a lot. Just dress neatly. The very best handlers disappear. It's the dog that stands out.
A word for the ladies: please don't wear low cut tops or short skirts. You may be showing a whole lot more than your dog to anyone watching.
If you can, enter some AKC "B" Matches. They are informal but can give you the feel of showing. Showing in UKC is also a great way to learn. It is a lot less intimidating than AKC. Meanwhile keep honing your skills. Never stop practicing. Never stop learning. If you can possibly get to a clinic with a good clinician, go. Even if you don't take your dog you will learn a lot.
What is NOHS? The National Owner Handler Series, is an AKC division where owner handlers compete against each other and not against professional handlers. Most AKC shows now offer NOHS. There are National rankings and invitations to the top dogs in each breed to compete at the AKC National Dog Show held in December each year.
As an Owner Handler myself I know many of the pitfalls and all of the rewards of handling your own dog.
I came into the sport of showing dogs from riding and training dressage horses. In the upper international levels you may be riding a test of some 25-30+ very precise elements from memory. Dog shows were fun to watch, how hard could it be? You run around the ring a couple times, get your dog to stand still for a judge to go over them, take diagonal down and back. Easy, right? NO. NOT EASY AT ALL.
Thankfully, I have been fortunate to have some amazing mentors who shared their knowledge and their time helping me. Not everyone is that fortunate. It was still a pretty steep learning curve. Competing against professional handlers who have done this for years and compete nearly every weekend, is daunting. So, my best advice is to look as much like a professional handler as possible. I know I just said NOHS doesn't compete against the pros. But, the classes are concurrent and you will be in the ring with them. I can't tell how rewarding it is to place above the professional handlers. It means you've worked hard and really done your homework. Congratulations!
I'm going to share some tips to help you make that happen.
1. LEARN: all you can about your breed. Every AKC recognized breed has a parent club. Go to their website, download the standard and memorize it. I know that seems a bit extreme, but it's probably the most important thing you'll do to prepare. Know what the perfect conformation is for your breed. The judge is comparing your dog to the perfect specimen of your breed. Know what job they were bred to do.That's the reason for correct conformation as form follows function. And it will give you a huge edge when you start to train.
2, SOCIALIZE: Get your dog used to other people and other dogs that are also on leashes. After my puppies have had ALL of their shots (about 16-20 weeks) I will take them out in public. Except for visits to the vet, my puppies never step foot on anything but home soil. Most serious diseases Distemper, Parvo and Lepto are spread by feces or urine that is picked up by your dog's feet. Prior to full immunization, I have leash trained them in my house and yard and started playing with stacking. Just a few minutes at a time with lots of praise and treats. This is where a class really comes in handy. Walks in the park are also a good way to socialize your puppy. NEVER let your puppy touch noses with any other puppy or dog. This is the way some diseases are spread and some dogs see this as an invitation to fight.
3. TRAIN: Seek training for yourself and your dog. Many kennel clubs offer training classes. If your breeder is local, they can be a great resource. For those who belong to 4-H, many have dog training classes. There is a whole division for Junior Handlers and it offers college scholarships. There are many great videos online that are very helpful. Eric Salas has a whole YouTube channel of free videos. He shares everything from just starting out to finished dog. ORDER your collar and lead NOW. You will need to learn to use them properly to signal your dog..
4. PRACTICE. That means spending time learning to gait your dog properly and to free stack. If you have a dog that is shown on a table, it takes a lot of practice to smoothly stack your dog and have him/her stand still while a judge goes over them. A mirror is a huge help. A friend who will video you from the side and from the front/back will help too. Practice your hand signals and your lead/collar signals with and without your dog on the end.
5. GROOM. Learn to properly groom your breed. Some are more regulated than others. You've seen the poodles and the terriers with different types of precise trimming to accent their conformation. Some breeds are to be shown in natural coat and no trimming is allowed. A lot of work goes into making that natural coat stand out. Refer to your breed standard. Eric Salas has some very good grooming videos and tools.
6. CONDITION: If you have a breed that works, hunts, herds or is meant to be active; make sure they are in top condition. The judge wants to see a dog that can function as it was intended. That means sleek and muscular, neither overweight nor too thin with good stamina.
7. DRESS. Look at what the handlers wear. We're trying to appear indistinguishable, right? You don't have to spend a lot. Just dress neatly. The very best handlers disappear. It's the dog that stands out.
A word for the ladies: please don't wear low cut tops or short skirts. You may be showing a whole lot more than your dog to anyone watching.
If you can, enter some AKC "B" Matches. They are informal but can give you the feel of showing. Showing in UKC is also a great way to learn. It is a lot less intimidating than AKC. Meanwhile keep honing your skills. Never stop practicing. Never stop learning. If you can possibly get to a clinic with a good clinician, go. Even if you don't take your dog you will learn a lot.