How to Prepare a Golden Retriever for a Dog Show

By eMerrill

Instructions

Step 1:
Attend a dog show and watch the Golden retriever breed judging to get an idea of what the process involves. Try to talk to handlers and owners about the basics of showing. Buy a show lead at one of the vendor booths, to start practicing handling your Golden.
Step 2:
Exercise your Golden every day to achieve optimum physical conditioning. Exercise should including running, which can be accomplished by repeatedly throwing a ball to retrieve. Feed your Golden a healthy diet twice daily, and don’t overfeed before the show.
Step 3:
Practice with your show lead and learn to control your Golden at a trotting gait and in 90- and 180-degree turns. Practice standing still and posing your Golden (called "stacking") by moving her/his legs/feet or body to show of your Golden’s form. Get your dog used to having his/her teeth and ears inspected without shying away.
Step 4:
Wash and condition your Golden with unscented or low-scent shampoo and conditioner the day before the show. Trim "feathers," the excessively long hairs along tail margin, back of legs, chest and around ears. Make sure claws are well trimmed and ears are clean.
Step 5:
Arrive at the show grounds at least an hour before judging for your first show, to get your Golden used to being around a large number of dogs. Bring show leads, grooming brush, treats, towels, water bowl and water in a backpack or canvas bag.

Tips & Warnings

If your Golden is difficult to control in trotting gait and turning, find a small treat like a dry sausage that you can use to keep their attention.
If your Golden is not used to being around other dogs, take your Golden to a busy dog park to help get acclimated to being around strange dogs.

Resources

AKC Guide to Dog Shows

Photo/Video Credit

http://www.akc.org/breeds/golden_retriever/

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