Arriving at the Dog Show

Before you leave home to attend a dog show, especially if your pet is going to be a participant, exactly where the show grounds are located. There's nothing like getting there with a half-hour or so window, to find that you totally in the wrong place Where you need to be is across town, plus you'll have to drive through rush hour traffic as well as maneuver through two different detour areas.

Holy crossroads, Batman! To the Bat Copter!

But alas, unless you are a comic book hero, you probably don't have a helicopter or other means of air travel. So plan ahead! Check with the AA A (American Automobile Association) for a trip planner to help.

More tips include:

1) You should check the judging program before leaving home to find out at exactly what time your breed is due to be judged. The judging may be delayed, true, and as a result your breed may be judged later than the program said, but-and here is a good thing to know-it may never be judged earlier than stated on the program.

2) If you have your husband or wife or an understanding friend with you this first time, they can be of great help, particularly if your dog is to be judged early. There is quite a lot to be done at this point: park the car way off in that far lot, watch the dog, produce your admission tickets, watch out for that passing dog, perhaps stand in line waiting for the veterinarian to check your dog, hold on to your brief case or kit containing your possessions, watch the dog, et cetera. Do watch your little bag, for bags have been known to disappear. Perhaps your friend would hold it for you and also take care of the tickets. Then you could devote all your time to the dog. If you want a show catalogue, and if catalogues are sold at the entrance, now would be a good time for your friend to buy one for you.

3) If it is a benched show, you must find your bench. This will be a partitioned-off stall and on it will be marked your breed and the identification number of your dog, which corresponds to the number on your identification card that was mailed to you. Now the collar and bench chain. (Except toy breeds; these are usually placed in wire cages.) See that the collar fits well, making sure that the dog cannot slip his head out of it.

4) Don't use a leather lead or a piece of cord to tie your dog to the bench, as a dog can chew either of these in two before you turn around. Use a bench chain. There will be rings placed in strategic points along the chain with snaps at either end. There should be a ring on the dog's collar. Snap one end of the chain to the ring on the collar and put the other end of the chain through the ring on the bench and then fasten the end to the ring on the chain which best fits your dog.

5) Do not make the chain so short that the dog cannot lie down but-and almost more important-not so long that he can get his head around and into the next stall. He might get bitten by the neighboring dog who doesn't particularly want company. Also a long chain may give your dog the idea that he isn't fastened and if he jumps off the bench when you are not around he is liable to hang himself.

6) Place your packages, toolbox, lunch, dog toys or whatever you have with you under your dog's bench. If you put it down on the bench next to yours, as soon as the dog arrives who belongs there you will only have to move it, and it might be at a more inconvenient time.

7) Allow time to take stock of the situation. If you have allowed yourself time, you will not have to rush right into the ring. If you think the dog has to urinate or evacuate, take him to the exercise pen provided for the purpose. There may be two, one for dogs and one for bitches, and so marked; or there may be several pens with no markings. In the latter case, choose any one. On the way to the exercise pen don't let your dog lift his leg on someone's tool kit or crate, and if you have to walk through crowded aisles, watch that your dog does not get stepped on or panicky at the barking of the dogs on the benches.

8) When you get to the exercise pen, give your dog time to take care of himself but don't overstay. Be sure to fasten the latch on the gate securely. Now back to the bench.

9) If it is a hot day and you think your dog is thirsty, offer him a drink of water; a small one if he is due to be judged soon, all he wants, within reason, if he has a long wait before being judged. Too much water before the judging may make the dog look "pot-bellied." Do not leave the water pan on the bench with your dog. He may upset it and get himself thoroughly soaked as well as the dogs around him, and also your packages under his bench.

10) Thorough check your dog over. Did your dog get dirty on the way ? Did he drool over himself, or pick up a grease spot from the car ? Look him over now. Did he step in anything in the exercise pen that may be stuck between his pads? If he needs cleaning up, get right to it. A sponge and some soapy water, or just the end of the towel dipped in water, will do the job, depending on how badly soiled he is.

11) Next do that last-minute trimming and use those grooming tools. Even though he was thoroughly trimmed, you may see just a little something which could be improved. It is amazing how fast the whiskers grow back in!

12) When you have the dog cleaned up and you are sure he is ready for the ring-well groomed and with last-minute trimming done-put him back on the bench, properly fastened, and give him a hug.

Cheers! Here's to your success :)