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Have you ever dreamed of entering your best friend in a dog show? While it can be daunting to get started in the competitive canine world, many pet parents love trying this new activity with their companions.
Here’s everything you need to know about training your dog for their first show!
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the official term for dog shows is conformation. This refers to the “act of conforming” or “producing conformity” — show dogs aren’t judged against each other but are instead compared to their respective breed standards.
The more closely a dog’s appearance and temperament match breed expectations, the greater their chances of producing healthy, predictable puppies!
While most shows in the United States are through the American Kennel Club, there is also a United Kennel Club (UKC) and a Mixed Breed Club of America (MBCA).
Only intact, purebred dogs are allowed in AKC dog shows, which goes back to the original purpose of conformation to judge breeding stock. The UKC has an altered class for spayed or neutered purebreds, though, and most mixed breeds are eligible to compete through the MBCA!
Even if your dog is eligible for a dog show, they might not actually enjoy the experience. And that’s okay! If your pet gets nervous or struggles with changes in routine, conformation might not be for you. Most dogs who thrive in the competitions are confident, social, and happy to work in a range of environments.
If your dog isn’t eligible for a show or you don’t think they’ll enjoy being out in the ring, there are countless other activities you can try together. Here are just a few to consider:
Your everyday walking collar or harness probably won’t be successful in the show ring. Here are two common gear options for your conformation dog:
When you enter the show ring with your dog, you need to work together as a team. These things can strengthen your relationship and make sure you’re both on the same page:
In a conformation show, your dog will need to demonstrate three main skills: gaiting, stacking, and tolerating a physical exam.
It’s generally easiest to start working on these behaviors while your best friend is still a puppy — but even older dogs can learn new tricks!
Gaiting means your dog moves at a certain speed (in line with their handler), in a precise position (head and tail carried in regard to their breed standard), and without pulling on the lead while in the show ring.
The judge will evaluate your dog’s structure as they trot with opposite front and back legs moving in unison.
Stacking means your show dog stands in the proper position based on the written standard for their breed.
There are two kinds of stacking: hand stacking (where the handler or judge physically manipulates the dog into position), and free stacking (where the dog may be prompted to adjust their footing slightly but otherwise enters the position on their own).
Your dog will be stacked multiple times in each show:
Many handlers let their dog free stack for everything except the physical exam. Hand stacking your pet before the judge approaches can ensure they’re in the best possible stance.
Note: Your dog’s specific stack position will depend on their breed! Before starting to train either a hand stack or free stack, make sure you understand the guidelines in your pet’s breed standard.
Your show dog must also stay still for an examination. The judge will physically put their hands on your pet to evaluate their structure, including checking their teeth.
If your companion growls, snaps, or shows other signs of discomfort during this process, you risk being disqualified from the competition.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed when the stakes feel high. There’s nothing wrong with wanting your dog to place in conformation — but keep in mind the more important reasons (like trying something new as a team) that you wanted to start showing them in the first place.
The right guide can make a world of difference in your new dog show journey. If you own a purebred dog, consider reading out to your dog’s breeder or a local breed club to ask about conformation! Many veterans are happy to help newcomers find their footing — and you might even find a group training class perfect for what you want to practice.
Slow and steady wins the race. No matter what dog show skill you’re working on or specific training process you’re following, it’s important to break things down into small, bite-sized chunks. Set reasonable expectations for both you and your dog.
Above all, the greatest joy is simply sharing life with your best friend. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying the thrill of a competitive dog show! But first and foremost, remember to just enjoy your dog — independent of championships.
There is so much misinformation out there, we want to make sure we only provide the highest quality information to our community. We have all of our articles reviewed by qualified, positive-only trainers. The trainers that review our content are reviewed by other trainers to ensure that we have the best quality filters on our content.
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Relocating to a new home can be a daunting task, especially when you have a four-legged friend to consider. So, we analyzed responses from Sniffspot users to get their best dog-friendly moving tips and advice.
With the percentage of households with dogs rapidly rising in the USA, it's never been more important to know the most dog-friendly cities. An estimated 65 million households in the US own at least one dog, and pet lovers value their pets feeling welcome where they live.
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Traveling with your dog can be a rewarding experience, but what do you do when adventure calls you to a place that’s a bit too far for a drive? If you're a pet-owner who want to jetset with your pup, then you’ll want to find the best dog-friendly airlines.
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Welcome to life with your new puppy! We're not sure much is more exciting: You just brought home a furry best friend—the start of a lifelong relationship that will change both of you—and the days ahead are sure to bring adventure, laughter, and so many memories.
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
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All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
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* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
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* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Much like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.”
Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.
Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
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Welcome to the Michigan Sniffspot top dog trainer list for 2023. This is a list of the top dog trainers in Michigan based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public. Over 55,000 votes were used in compiling this list. We have only included the top trainers with sufficient votes and the trainers are ordered in terms of the number of votes received. Trainers that tied are ranked in reverse alphabetical order based on first name. All dog trainers on this list are positive reinforcement only, as defined by no force, fear, intimidation, or aversive methods used. To learn more about our dog trainer contest, feel free to view the dog trainer contest post.
Welcome to the Washington Sniffspot top dog trainer list for 2023. This is a list of the top dog trainers in Washington based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public. Over 55,000 votes were used in compiling this list. We have only included the top trainers with sufficient votes and the trainers are ordered in terms of the number of votes received. Trainers that tied are ranked in reverse alphabetical order based on first name. All dog trainers on this list are positive reinforcement only, as defined by no force, fear, intimidation, or aversive methods used. To learn more about our dog trainer contest, feel free to view the dog trainer contest post.
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