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Top 10 Tips For Hobby Handlers

Top 10 Tips For Hobby Handlers

  1. Know Your Limits โ€“ Can you show every weekend or just once a month? Let your friends know which shows you plan to attend and stick to your schedule.
  2. Set Realistic Goals โ€“ What does your friend want to achieve for her dog? A championship? Grand Championship? Group Placements? Make sure youโ€™re both on the same page.
  3. Establish a Budget โ€“ Know how much money youโ€™ll need on show weekends, but remember that showing dogs for a fee will jeopardize your amateur status. Your friend can thank you by treating you to lunch.
  4. Stick to a Routine โ€“ Repetition equals reputation. Practice good training habits so that you and the dogs youโ€™re showing are in top condition and ready to compete.
  5. Keep Your Word โ€“ Honoring your commitment to show a friendโ€™s dog will maintain your reputation for reliability. Make promises and keep them.
  6. Have a Contingency Plan โ€“ Ring conflicts occur at every show. Let your friend know if it is her dog or yours that is the priority.
  7. Be Prepared โ€“ Emergencies can and do happen. Be sure your cell phone is charged and programmed with the numbers of your hotel, emergency vets, and roadside assistance.
  8. Take Time Out โ€“ The pressures to win can be great, but the welfare of the dogs must always come first. Be sure to take time out each day for a game of fetch or a little cuddling.
  9. Reevaluate Priorities โ€“ If a single loss pushes you over the edge, showing dogs may not be for you. Consider other ways that you can participate such as volunteering your time to a local dog club.
  10. Have Fun โ€“Amateurs have the advantage of showing dogs because itโ€™s fun, not because the mortgage is due. Keeping things fun is up to you. So, remember to smileโ€”win or lose.

A version of Top 10 Tips For Hobby Handlers first appeared in the September 2016 Dogs in Review magazine.