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49 – What Was the Dog Show Judge Thinking? AKC Judge and Dog Show Mentor Lee Whittier

From the Judges Perspective

As an AKC Judge, Lee Whittier often saw quality, but untrained dogs with exhibitors that could use some help.  Digging a little deeper, Lee realized that the exhibitors that really needed a mentor were not just the beginners, but the Owner-Handlers that have been showing for 5-15 years.

Owner Handlers – Help from the Judge’s Perspective

Many owner-handlers have ring experience, but have also developed habits, attitudes, or beliefs about their breed, dog, or ring procedures that actually keep them from succeeding.

What is the Dog Show Judge Thinking?

Ever walk out of the ring wondering what the dog show judge was thinking?  Many exhibitors lay “blame” on the professional handler in the ring, rather than examine other reasons?

Dog Show Mentor is a program developed by Lee Whittier to mentor owner-handlers from the judge’s perspective.

Enjoy listening to Lee Whittier as she gives 3 tips and a few suggestions to help you improve today.

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48 – Mike Pitts: Teaching the Next Generation

From Apprentice to Master Handler to Mentoring the Next Generation

 

Mike Pitts, along with his wife Linda, are among the top tier handlers in the country, having run multiple top dogs over the years. Most recently, Linda piloted the Puli, Preston, to number one all breeds all systems in 2016.

 

Back in the day, they studied under top handlers, including Linda’s time working for Houston and Toddie Clark, now well-known and respected AKC judges, and Mike’s apprenticeship with top Cocker handlers of the day.

 

But they also carried their knowledge forward to the next generation, mentoring other aspiring young dog people. One of those folks you heard from last week when we talked to Jason Lynn about his second win at Crufts in the last few years.

 

Mike and Linda live in Knoxville, Tenn. Mike’s recommendation for new and hopeful dog people (handlers or breeders) is to bring your passion, your determination to succeed and a willingness to embrace brutally hard work. And, most importantly, to ask for help. “We will help anyone who has a legitimate desire to learn,” he said.

 

The operative phrase there is “desire to learn”… Mike expresses frustration with folks who don’t want to put in the effort to get ahead. “We had a kid, he was always on his phone…. With my dog on the table…” His expression spoke volumes about this lack of attention and focus on the number one priority… The dogs.

 

“It isn’t about politics, it isn’t about who you know…. It’s about doing the work, putting in the time, paying your dues,” Mike says.

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47 – Yellow Submarine, Rock and Roll, Peace Out and Woofstock: Kim Meredith

How Tie Dye and Rock and Roll Saved the Dog Show

After funds went “missing” from the Contra Costa Kennel Club, drastic ideas were need to save the show.  Members even had to loan the kennel club funds for the show to go on.

Kim Meredith and her Far Out Idea

Listen to Kim Meredith as she tells the story of the Woofstock conceptualization and how everyone thought she was a bit “far out”.

Woofstock is celebrating the 10th anniversary, is now a four-day show with Yosemite Kennel Club, and is limiting entries to 3,2oo due to lack of space.

 

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46 – Two Time Crufts Winner – Breeder Owner Jason Lynn

Kentucky Born to Twice at Crufts – Jason Lynn

Jason Lynn was a 7 year old Kentucky boy when he watched a televised replay of the great German Shepherd Dog Manhattan winning Best in Show at Westminster Kennel Club in New York City. Although his family did not own a show dog, he was captured by the vision and from that day forward it was his goal to achieve that dream.

 

Dedication, hard work and dash of good fortune have brought him, exactly 30 years later, to the realization of that long-cherished goal.

 

Jason owned, co-bred with Michael Gadsby, and handled two of the last four Best in Show winners at Crufts. Winning with the Standard Poodle Ricky, Ch/Am Ch Afterglow Maverick Sabre, in 2014 and just last month with Miami, Show Champion Afterglow Miami Ink, the American Cocker Spaniel.

 

In today’s podcast Jason talks about his history in the sport since that impactful day watching the Garden while home sick from school. His mentors, his journey and what he feels helped bring about this level of success.

For all of us with dreams, this is a powerful opportunity to hear from someone who started at the very bottom and made it all the way to the top of the mountain.

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45 – Canine Conditioning: 8 Simple Exercises from Dixie Rae Sick

Dixie Rae Sick on Canine Conditioning

Canine Conditioning is fitness for all our canine competitors and athletes.  Whether your dog is a show dog, an agility dog or a frisbee dog, herding, hunting, working, or field dog, or just your best backpacking companion; fitness prevents injury and encourages a healthier, happier experience.

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