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Show Dog competitions are popular all over the world. Thousands of dog fanciers find enjoyment through show dog competitions. Obviously, these owners of show dogs are very proud of their dogs, and they just love showing them off and hopefully win the competition.  Show dog training requires  a combination of obedience training, and also presenting your dog to the judges-where it will be prodded and probed as it is examined by the judge. Your dog must meet the standards of its particular breed, which the judge’s are closely looking for, and also maintain a perfect posture while remaining  relaxed throughout the examination.

There are several different categories that the show dogs compete in. Each category is  based on the variety of breeds within them  and the types of activities those breeds are best skilled at. The seven different categories include: Sporting, Non-sporting, Hound, Terrier, Working, Herding and Toy. Besides have a terrific confirmation, each dog must impress the judges with its skills -whether it is working livestock in the case of the herding dogs, or performing an obstacle course for a working dog. Sporting dog, such as Labradors will be tested in field trials. As you can see, there is a niche for every breed of dog.

Here is a list of the various show dog categories. Check out which one best fits your dog.

Sporting Dogs – These types of dogs were bred for hunting  game birds-either on land or in the water. Breeds in this group include Retrievers, Spaniels, Pointers and Setters.

Hound Dogs – These types of dogs were bred for hunting  game by sight or scent.  Breeds of hound dogs  include:  Beagles, Bassets, Dachshunds and Greyhounds and many other hound varieties.

Working Dogs – These breeds of dogs were bred to guard property, pull a cart and even to  perform search and rescue services. Included in this group are such dogs as the Akita, Doberman, Boxers and St. Bernard breeds.

Terrier Dogs-Terriers are breeds that specialize in hunting and eliminating vermin from farms – Included in the Terrier group are dogs  such as the Airedale, Cairn Terrier and Scottish Terrier, Jack Russell terrier and many more.

Toy Breeds – These little dogs have been bred to be household companions. Included in the Toy group are Poodles, Pugs, Pomeranians, and Maltese.

Non-Sporting Dogs – This category is formed by a more diverse group of breeds, that come in a variety of sizes and shapes, and includes Bulldogs, Standard Poodles, Chows and Dalmatians. The dogs in this group are primarily companion dogs.

Herding Dogs – This category includes dogs such as the German shepherd dog, Collies, Australian Sheepdogs, Old English Sheepdogs, and more. These types of dogs were bred to help shepherds manage their flocks, Depending on the breed of dog you want to have, after you have thoroughly trained your dog you can enter him in a dog show in the category you would like him to compete in. Each dog breed falls within a certain category, so the dogs he competes against will have similar skill sets.

If you are interested in dog show competitions, get more familiar with what’s happening in your area. Check out your local Kennel Club to find out more about coming dog shows. You can meet and network with other show dog handlers to get some good advice getting started with show dog training for your dog.

For example, if your dog is a working dog, you will want to concentrate on that particular type of competition and what you will need to train your dog for his particular category’s competition. Watching and learning from an experienced dog handler will help  you will quickly learn the right way to go about the type of show dog training your dog needs.

Of course, you can’t really get involved with show dog training until you have already done a very thorough job of obedience training your dog. If you haven’t already fully obedience trained your dog, of course you will need to concentrate on that first of all.

Weave Poles are the hardest event for a dog to master, so most trainers have their own set at home. The method you use to train your dog is entirely up to you, but I recommend you try a couple of different ones to see which is the best for you and your dog.

Through the years a number of weave pole training methods have been introduced, Channel Weaves, Weave-A-Matic or WAM and Weave Pole Guide Wires, all of which produce various results in individual dogs. The end result depends solely on the amount of time and energy the trainer is willing to invest.

Channel Weave Method

The “channel method” is gaining popularity. This is a great method for those dogs that just can’t grasp the concept of the agility weave poles. Two parallel rows of weave poles are put side by side, but offset in such a way that the dog has a wide square center “channel” to run down. The poles rotate on the base, so you start with a channel and then slowly swivel the poles towards the center as your dog improves. At first your dog is not weaving he is just running through to the other end like an open tunnel. By slowly, inch-by-inch, bringing the poles closer together, your dog will begin to weave without even knowing it! If you are patient and don’t rush the channel process, your dog will come to “understand” weaving and be less apt to miss poles in the future!

Weave-A-Matic or WAM Method

This method is very similar to the Channel method. The main difference is, instead of a wide square channel at the base of the weaves, there is a narrower “V” channel your dog will have to run through. As with the Channel method, the poles are slowly brought back to vertical as your dog learns what he is suppose to do. The WAM method is fine for most dogs, but some might feel a bit claustrophobic in the narrower space and not perform as well.

Weave Pole Guide Wires

Weave Pole Guide Wires will help if your dog is having some trouble learning the Agility Weaves or is just starting to learn.

Guide Wires are an essential part of the training, making it easier, faster, more fun and a lot less frustrating for both you and your dog. The Weave Pole Guide Wires simply show your dog the correct way through the weaves by creating a “tunnel” effect through the event. With the wires at eye level for your dog, he will naturally try to avoid them, taking the path of least resistance thus learning to weave without realizing he is learning to weave. Once the Weave Guides are removed he will continue to weave naturally, but, if needed, the Guide wires can be easily brought back for a quick refresher.

Stick-in-the-ground Weave Poles

If you only own a set of Stick-in-the-Ground Weave Poles, you can try all of the above training methods. This set comes with a “spacer stick” to get the correct spacing of the poles, so, you could, with a bit of work make a square channel. With a lot less work you could use the WAM method just by tilting the poles and, of course, the Weave Pole Guide Wires will fit on these or any set of weave poles you own.

The advantage to using Stick-in-the-Ground Weave Poles is, there is no base, so the dog has one less distraction. The disadvantages are, it takes a bit longer to set the event up and it’s not as easy to move it.

Any of these methods, in the right hands will produce results. It really comes down to what works for you and your dog, if you find one method isn’t working, try a different approach. Sometimes all it takes is a change in routine. Dogs are really no different than people, they all learn at different speeds and sometimes, even by different methods. In the end, it’s your patience, persistence and praise that will determine whether your dogs succeeds or fails.

IT IS ALL UP TO YOU!

Agility, more than just good for your dog!
 
Paul Ineson