How to Start an Puppy in Conformation
Conformation (also commonly referred to as the breed ring) is the dog sport which people are typically most familiar with. The massive Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show broadcast on television every year, the Eukaneuba Championships and even a big screen movie or two have portrayed the sport in various lights. Conformation is a sport for conformationally appropriate and correct dogs to compete against the standard to see which dog is the best example of it’s breed, and can be a very exciting and interesting spectacle to behold.
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Instructions
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Teach your puppy a basic set of commands while it is young. This will make its transition to the breed ring much simpler and smoother. Your puppy should know how to handle itself on a lead, how to walk properly on lead, how to handle people and crowds and should be housebroken to achieve the most success in the conformation ring. Show grounds are very noisy, very crowded places and your puppy should be acclimated to large crowds and noises at a young age to avoid any frightening troubles later on in life.
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Place a regular flat collar on the puppy and let him get used to wearing it around. Eventually you can attach the lead and allow the puppy to get used to the feeling of the lead and being walked around. Be sure to offer lots of praise and encouragement to keep the puppy happy and interested in you and in minding your commands.
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Groom the puppy.Regardless of breed, grooming is an essential part of success in the conformation ring. All breeds have some sort of accepted grooming routine that emphasizes their best features while being shown, and your dog will have the best chance of winning if he is used to this grooming well in advance of shows. Brushing, bathing, clipping and trimming of the coat are the minimum things your puppy should be trained to accept, as well as blow-drying and nail trimming. A few breeds have a very complex show grooming routine, and if your breed is one of them, it is best to find a mentor or teacher who is currently active in the breed to show you the proper procedure.
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Get your potential conformation prospects ready for the ring by taking handling classes. Handling classes address a variety of skills ad possible issues and will help get your puppy ready to deal with strange people and other dogs that it will face in the ring. Your new puppy will generally be able to start attending classes at around 10 to 12 weeks of age and should be fully healthy and vaccinated just to ensure the health and safety of all the dogs involved. You will need to make sure you have a few of your puppy’s favorite treats with you, as well as the show lead you have chosen for your puppy. Your choice of show lead will vary by breed and your mentor should have suggestions for you as to what types are typically used in your breed.
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Stacking your puppy is necessary in any breed. Stacking is the act of standing your puppy properly to best show off his conformation and features. Most dogs are stacked with all four feet square and even, which will firm up the dog’s build and physical characters. Begin preparation for stacking as soon as you get your puppy home. Put your pup on lead and begin touching her feet gently with your hands. Pick up the foot, move it around a bit and replace it, offering your puppy a treat or toy when she stands still. Do this often, and with all four feet to assure the pup is comfortable being handled. While stacking, the judge will also touch and evaluate your puppy, checking her build and teeth. You can prepare for this by having a stranger to your puppy gently run his or her hands over the pup and look at her teeth. Praise and talk to your puppy to reassure her to let her know it’s OK to be handled, and eventually the stacking and handling will not even phase your puppy.
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Gaiting, or moving your puppy around the ring is a part of showing in the breed ring that can make or break your day. Your dog should be gaited to display its best qualities and structural features. The proper pace is vital to a good gait. Most gaits involve the dog moving at a brisk trot, which will straighten out and strengthen the topline and allow the dog to have the best flowing movement possible. Put your puppy on the show lead and give the pup a command such as “let’s go.” Begin slowly walking with the pup, then move up to a comfortable jog, encouraging the puppy to move along with you. You can play with the speed a bit to determine which speed is right for your pup and breed. Once you find that pace you will always want to gait at that same speed. Praise and encourage your puppy when it performs well, and showing in the conformation ring will always be a fun and jovial experience for your and your dog.
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Tips & Warnings
Be gentle with your puppy. You do not want to startle or scare the puppy while training, as it can cause a bad impression of showing overall for the dog.
Offer praise and encouragement as your puppy deserves it. Praise as soon as the puppy does something right to show the puppy it is doing things correctly.
Train your puppy in small, frequent sessions. Breaking your routine up into 10 to 15 minutes sessions a couple of times per day will keep your puppy interested and avoid boredom.
Never physically punish your puppy. Negative reinforcement can make your puppy skittish and fearful.
Do not allow your pup to roam free at training sessions. Roaming without supervision can be hazardous to your puppy and other dogs.
- Photo Credit news.nationalgeographic.com
