MINDSET RESET FOR YOUR DOG
with obstacles that can be used both in your house and out on your walks. Have fun! Your dog will learn, overcome chal- lenges, and thereby, develop confidence. Now we’re getting to what’s important about your dog’s mindset. Observing how your dog thinks and approaches life is essential when setting him up for success as a show dog. What is his natural mindset? There are so many challenges for new show dogs to address. What about teaching him to understand the boundaries of show venue behavior? For example, barking in the crate is not acceptable. Remember that dogs are pack animals by nature, and many are chal- lenged by being left alone. So, use that knowledge as you help him get used to the grooming area. Your fellow exhibitors will set up far away from you whenever possible once you and your dog get a reputation as “the noisy ones.” Teach him to tolerate, if not play well with, others; to respect the other dogs and their space. As complicated as show eti- quette is for new exhibitors, it is probably even more so for dogs.
First, identify whether your dog has a growth mindset or a fixed mindset. This is not a lesson on this topic, but here are points that I look for in my puppies. In my interpretation, exhibitors who have a growth mindset are those who are spurred on by a challenge and bounce back from a loss, ready to take on the next challenge. In contrast, the exhibi- tor with a fixed mindset will often finish many dogs to their championship, but not beyond that. They have created a formula that works for them, one where they feel comfortable and safe in their own zone of expertise. However, the limitation is that they are not moving beyond that level, as they are unwilling to take on new chal- lenges. Perhaps they feel that the next level might not be achievable. They may be uncomfortable with the unknown. It takes growth, and a stretch, to move into new territory, doesn’t it?
Upon evaluation of your dog’s tenden- cies, how will you develop your dog to his full potential? How will you develop your dog to his best advantage if he has a fixed mindset—or a growth mindset? How do you handle your dog if he is uncertain around new or unusual circumstances? Do you use growth principles to help him shift his tendencies or use a fixed approach to give more rigid structure to his experi- ences? How about a dog that is easily dis- tracted? How do you create a stellar pre- sentation for the judge? THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF A GROWTH MINDSET IN THE SHOW RING Seek ways to expand your dog’s hori- zons through gentle challenges. Through exposure and training, your dog is prepped and will develop a level of comfort over time. On the one hand, you don’t want it to go on for too long; on the other, rushing could ruin it forever. Use your good judg- ment or that of a good mentor. I often hear, “Oh, I don’t know how to teach my dog to stand stay.” Start by teach- ing him to concentrate in a place with no distractions. You have to teach him how to concentrate and to learn self-control. Then add in layers of distraction. Teach your young dog to focus totally on you, even amidst distractions. Particularly in dog shows, there are the added distractions of lights, people cheering, and clapping. When your dog is in the ring and it’s showtime, he will be at ease and totally focused on you, because you’ve already taught him to stand- stay in the middle of a downtown area. Picture this scenario: You are walk- ing the grounds and come upon a metal grate in the path. Your dog might pause, inhale, and then exhale; a moment of, “I got this,” with a step forward or a head tilt. A powerful and exciting moment to watch. Now let’s apply this scenario to a dog show. “BOTH SMALL AND LARGE CHALLENGES CAN BE OVERCOME THROUGH A GROWTH MINDSET. ”
“IT IS EXCITING TO THINK OF THE POTENTIAL THAT HANDLERS CAN TAP INTO—IF THEY ARE WILLING TO WORK
A TOOL TO TAP INTO THEIR TRUE POTENTIAL
The challenge is to get the word out to exhibitors to help them elevate their dog’s performance as a quality show dog. They can effectively shape their dog’s show experience, and ultimately their show career, through the use and application of Mindset Theory. When we look to the successful breed- ers and handlers, they know this. As they work with their dogs, they use their experi- ence and intuition to adapt to each dog’s needs. They recognize that each dog is different, with their own unique quirks, tendencies, and needs. If you appreciate the Mindset Theory and apply it, not only to a single dog but to a litter, it is evident that each puppy has a particular mindset, and that it may change within different aspects of their lives, just as ours does. It is not only possible, but probable for a dog to have a growth mind- set in conformation and a fixed mindset in performance—or vice versa. Thus, the importance of identifying each area you wish to build upon. For example, my young bitch is a “tomboy.” Through chan- neling her “tomboy energy,” we can create a strong ring presence for a bitch. (We plan on giving the boys a run for their money.) By tapping into her attitude that consists of a growth mindset, we create a show dog. However, her headstrong attitude may be less useful in performance events.
ON THEIR DOG’S MINDSET SHIFT.”
LET THE TRAINING BEGIN The key to successful exposure train- ing is to teach the dog through games. Tap into that growth mindset as an umbrella filter for your developing young dogs. This is about influencing their minds through “dog fun!” We all know that training begins in the puppy stage, long before they enter a show ring. Depending on your dog’s age, you can start with super simple things. We have so many puppy training devices now. One of my personal favorites is the kiddie pool with balls; another one is the puppy slide! It’s not only fun for them, but its great entertainment for us to watch. The use of agility equipment is a way to teach dogs of all ages how to overcome physical and mental challenges. Be creative
164 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, OCTOBER 2021
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