ARE YOU DISTINGUISHABLE FROM THE PROS?
So, who wins? The handler who puts in the time and dedica- tion? The cream of the crop? The ones who show up with a profes- sional attitude and presence whether they are professional or owner
GET OVER YOURSELF This goal will not propel you into the winner’s circle in and of itself. By raising the bar of your own presentation to a level that matches that of the top-quality handlers, your dog will not neces- sarily win more. There are still several variables that come into play to make that happen. First of all, you have to get over yourself. Yes, I really said that. Get over yourself. It’s about the dog! Get that dog in peak condition, in muscle and coat, and pull it all together with the mental game of dogs. Here’s the truth about this question. When your skills, talent, and timing improve to the level that can match a professional, then it will come down to who has the better dog. Can your dog stand up to his competition? From a judge’s perspective, some owner handlers have not developed the skill or risen to the level that enables them to hide or obscure their dog’s faults. A skillset that is even more valuable than showing off the virtues is being able to diminish or conceal the faults. A flawed front assembly or a bad topline must be concealed in a timely and proficient way. Therefore, being a quality handler will only take you so far. Getting the most from a dog that has the “it factor,” or one that is average or better, however, is doable. Pairing quality handler skills and the application of a Dog Show Mentor mindset is the dream combination. All seasoned dog people know that the “it factor” can cover a multitude of sins in a dog. So, the answer is that being a quality handler will only propel you to the winner’s circle if you have a good dog or a good dog with a good mindset. Finally, and most importantly as an owner handler, does it really matter if you are indistinguishable to the judge? Do judges care? Of course, judges care. Ultimately, they want to see all the vir- tues of a dog. If they can’t see them as a result of poor handling, they are unhappy with the dogs in the ring. Stop worrying about whether the judge is somehow punishing you for being an owner handler, and have faith in yourself. Be confident that the work you’ve been putting in will pay off. FACT: Owner Handlers are not losing to pros because the pros are better. It is the pros who are showing up like rock stars. But an owner handler can—and many have—shown up like rock stars to win as well. SO, I ASK, WILL THIS GOAL OF WANTING TO BE INDISTINGUISHABLE FROM THE PROS PROPEL YOUR DOG TO THE WINNER’S CIRCLE? OR WILL THE MISPLACED FOCUS ACT AS A DISTRACTION?
handler? Exactly. Here’s how that looks. WAIT A MINUTE, WAIT A MINUTE
As a judge, I should be looking at the dog, right? But sometimes it’s the handler who takes my attention away from the dog, some- times intentionally, sometimes not. If the handler shouldn’t even be in my thought process, how do they make an impact? Here’s how that plays out. One handler in particular always comments on my shoes. I came to realize that it is a way that atten- tion, at that particular moment, is diverted from whatever part of the dog the handler doesn’t want me to focus on. It’s a clever, intentional maneuver by a “pro.” Another handler waves their arms broadly and quickly, divert- ing my attention from the BEST part of the dog being examined. It’s an unintended distraction by an unskilled handler. If I have two dogs of equal quality in the ring with those same two handlers, then I am shown what has been skillfully veiled or ineptly concealed, either intentionally or not. Getting back to our original argument: As an owner handler, is it possible to be indistinguishable from the pro? Let’s look at some differences between Max Handler and Felix Handler, two “quality handlers.” TWO QUALITY HANDLERS Max has a system in place for training, conditioning, and show- ing dogs. Max took an early government retirement. He spends his days with the dogs he’s showing and maintains meticulous records on each dog. They all get daily exercise, food, and vitamins accord- ing to need. At night, the dogs come into the house and play with the family. Sometimes he takes individual dogs from ringside when he knows they are steady in the ring for the judge. Max meets his dog show coach ringside to talk about and reflect on his approach to showing the dogs. When he meets his coach, there is a switch that turns on. His competitive spirit ignites, which spurs him on when the competition gets tough. In addition to working as an insurance adjuster during the week, Felix also has a system. Felix has flexibility so that he can be at longer show clusters. Felix has a system to work with the dogs on a daily basis to focus on conditioning, grooming, and training. He keeps records on each dog, adjusts his approach as needed, and is committed to maintaining the quality of dog that he is proud to show in the ring. Both Max and Felix are owner handlers. Let’s take a closer look to compare these handlers. Remember, in the end it doesn’t matter. It’s about whoever shows up 100 percent. “FINALLY, AND MAYBE MOST IMPORTANTLY AS AN OWNER HANDLER, DOES IT REALLY MATTER IF YOU ARE INDISTINGUISHABLE TO THE JUDGE? DO JUDGES CARE?”
152 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2022
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