73 – Dog Grooming: Back to Basics for Better Coats

Grooming Back to Basics for Better Coats

Grooming is as important a part of successful conformation presentation as handling. It doesn’t matter how gifted you are, you can’t make a silk purse out of sow’s ear in the 10 minutes you’re in the ring. It takes work. In many cases untold HOURS of hard work.

For today we’re just going to talk about some basic maintenance and at home care. Breed specific grooming, ring prep and favorite product recommendations will all be covered in later epidsodes.

Coat Care

Coat care is as individual as the breed. Double coated, single drop coats, hand stripping, scissoring, short smooth coats, short double coats, long fine hair, long coarse hair, curly hair. No matter what breed and coat type you’re working with, you need to have a routine and a plan. Hair is a renewable resource but it also requires loving care and maintenance. Those stunning, shiny dogs don’t just happen by accident!

Establish a Routine

Pick a day that is dedicated to dog grooming or assign a time each day to one part of the process. EVERY dog needs nails trimmed, teeth and ears checked and cleaned, coat brushed and a good bath and dry. If you have a Komondor this is a whole lot different game than if you have a whippet! Plan accordingly. Your dog’s success is dependent on the time and dedication you put in to this process.

Brushing the Coat

Brushing a dog to the skin is critically important to keeping the skin and hair coat healthy. A couple rules that apply, especially in drop coated breeds, NEVER BRUSH DRY HAIR! A light mist of conditioning spray as you brush will help minimize breakage and damage to the coat.

We have far too many different coat types to focus on just one, but I do want to touch on the heavily coated breeds. Please, I beg of you (as does every professional groomer) learn how to properly brush your dog. Start at the bottom of the dog (ie the feet), pull the coat up with one hand and brush down with the other. Literally, this might be a half inch section at a time to start with. Make sure that you SEE the skin and that the brush is actually *touching* the skin…. The best way to check your work is to run a comb through each section when you’re done brushing. If the comb doesn’t reach the skin and pull through easily, you have more work to do.

Now, whether you use a pin brush or slicker brush for this task depends on coat type and condition, and, to a degree, personal preference. Be VERY sure that you are brushing *through* the coat, not “flicking” your wrist… This also will help prevent breakage.

Train the Dog for Grooming

One thing I think folks forget is that grooming is something for which we train the dogs just like any other skill. Starting your puppy out as soon as it comes home with a quick trip to the grooming table each week for some kisses and treats, handling feet and mouth, rubbing and touching all over gradually increasing the time and attention as they get older and require more effort will pay HUGE dividends in the long run with a dog who sits, stands or lies quietly on the table instead of shrieking like a banshee and thrashing wailing biting lunging etc. A dog who is started early, consistently maintained and properly trained for grooming will enjoy the time and special attention. One that is 6 months old or more when it’s started might fight the process and often “learns” that the table is to be hated. Which means your life just got more difficult and the dog is less liable to win because the grooming process is such a nightmare it’s just easier to not do a thorough job.

Don’t forget, even dogs with short, smooth, single coats need weekly brushing with a good bristle brush to keep dead hair coming out to be replaced by new and to make sure the skin is healthy and its natural oils are distributed through the coat.

The Dreaded Toe Nails

Toe nail maintenance is regarded as the bane of dog grooming existence by far too many people. It really, really isn’t as hard as you think it is. A couple important tips will help you move through this in a flash.

First, just like brushing, start early and stay on top of it. This is part of your weekly ritual with your dog. If you keep the nails down short, the dog feels better, walks better, grows up on it’s feet and pasterns better.

Second, DO NOT BE NERVOUS!!! If you’re scared, and worried and overly dramatic about this horrible task, the dog will be also!!! Stay calm, cool and collected, from the very beginning and that attitude will pass to your dog. I understand you don’t want to hurt the dog. That’s good! But you are MUCH more likely to quick a dog that’s flailing and blowing its anal glands because it’s so freaked out because you are terrified you might make it bleed.

So, stop. Just, stop. If you have a puppy, start it out right. If you have an older dog that already has issues, go back to your own job, which is to be the dog’s fearless leader. It isn’t scary to the dog if it isn’t scary to you.

You can manage your fear by learning safe and simple techniques for trimming nails. Whether you use a nail clipper or a grinder, understand that the quick, the part that makes the dog bleed, is always going to be *behind* the curve of the nail… In other words, closer to the dog’s body. You can also look at the bottom of the foot and see under the nail… You will see the little triangle of fleshy stuff that stops (the nail bed) while the actual nail continues growing. This works for clear or dark nails. You should trim or grind right up to the quick without touching it in order to keep the nails a good length (My 4-H leader used to make us slide a dime under the toenails of a dog standing up on a smooth surface to make sure they were short enough… I like to keep them shorter than that, but to be honest, as long as they aren’t touching the floor they aren’t harming the dog’s health.)

So, you know where the quick ends. You know that you are going trim in front of it. So you can relax, take a deep breath and calmly zip zip zip through those toenails. Suddenly this is not the most feared of all dog grooming tasks!

Bathing

Next it’s time for a bath. A couple important notes. DO NOT bathe a matted dog… All that does is tighten the mats. Always brush first, then bathe. Again, frequency of this depends on your breed. For MOST breeds (ie NOT wire coated dogs, not corded dogs, etc) a bath once a week in tepid water with gentle shampoo and light conditioner is the right answer. This will change if you are keeping a dog in oil, if you want to hold coat on a double coated dog (bathe it in cold water), if you want to get the coat OUT of a double coated dog (bathe in very warm water), etc. The single most important part of the bath, no matter coat or breed, is to RINSE RINSE RINSE!!! shampoo residue is one of the top causes of skin irritation, dull coats and even hot spots. I tell the kids to rinse until you think you’re done, then rinse again.

Drying

Again, just like rinse rinse rinse, we have DRY DRY DRY!!! A damp dog makes mats, hot spots, cold tail, curly hair where it should be straight, etc. Towel drying the pointer is fine. Not so much for the poodle. Some breeds seem to take a lifetime to dry, others you can zoom through it. In all cases, coated dogs should be brushed and dried at the same time. This again keeps the circulation going in the skin, removes dead coat, reduces drying time and even helps train the hair lie to a certain direction. Same as rinsing, dry until you think you’re done, then check armpits, undercarriage, behind ears, etc …. and dry some more.

OK, there you go crew. Time to define a plan of action and set it in motion. Whether you’re working with a new baby or overcoming some bad habits, regular maintenance grooming at home will improve your dog’s appearance and make him shine in the show ring.

Best of luck at the summer shows and we’ll catch you on the flip side.

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72 – Steve Gladstone: AKC Board of Directors and Cardigan Welsh Corgis

Steve Gladstone – AKC Board of Directors and Cardigan Welsh Corgis

AKC Judges Biography

Steven D. Gladstone, of Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, sits on the AKC Board of Directors. He has bred and shown Cardigan Welsh Corgis under the Aragorn prefix since 1974, earning more than 100 AKC titles in nearly every aspect of the sport in which a Cardigan can compete. One of their most cherished memories was winning BOB at the 1984 AKC Centennial Show in Philadelphia under the noted Cardigan fancier Dr. Ed McGough. The Gladstones have also owned Norwegian Elkhounds, German Shepherd Dogs, and Australian Shepherds.

Mr. Gladstone began judging match shows in the late 1970s and was first approved to judge Cardigans in 1988. He now judges the Herding and Working groups and five hound breeds. Judging trips have included assignments in New Zealand, England, Canada, and most recently, Saint Petersburg, Russia. He also judged the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship show in 2003 and 2005.

Mr. Gladstone has been AKC Delegate from the Reno Kennel Club since 1999. Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone are members of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club of America, and each has served on the club’s board of directors over the years. They are also longtime members of the Pocono Mountain Kennel Club and the Penn Ridge Kennel Club, both in Pennsylvania.

Before serving as a Delegate, Mr. Gladstone represented members of the fancy for 15 years as their attorney. Those representations concerned most every possible problem that can arise in the sport, from disciplinary matters to judges’ applications to registrations, club relations, and studbook discrepancies. Through his experience in this field, Mr. Gladstone is “proud to have helped reshape the AKC Discipline Bylaws,” which he feels gives the fanciers “a truly fair and equitable disciplinary system.”

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71 – Top Dog Dreaming: Professional Handler Laura King on the Road to #1 All-Breed

Top Dog Dreaming?

On the Road to #1 All-Breed with Laura King

Dreaming of owning or showing the top dog, the #1 All-Breed dog in the America? Laura King tells the fun and frustration, and the magic

Laura King

Laura King grew up in a show dog family with Belgian Sheepdogs and Schipperke. Today, she co-breeds English Cockers, Foxhounds and Springer Spaniels.

With Robin Novak, Laura King has been in contention for #1 All-Breed several times and tells you from her experiences just what magic it takes to be #1.

Manage Frustration and Timing

The more you win, the more rumblings are spoken that might set questions in the minds of the judges. Perhaps you win with lovely compliments under a judge, but the same judge awards another the next time out. There is no sure thing and just when you think you “figured it out”, the certainty of a win changes. Timing is everything. It takes planning and practice and pure luck to get it right every time. Scoring a “perfect 10” is not accidental, but the discipline of training the perfect 10 day in and day out.

Hours and Hours on the Road

Top Dog show schedule is grueling. You must have the right dog, with the right temperament, who can give 1000% week after week. As handler and caretaker, you must know what the dog needs and how it’s affected.

Financial Support

To campaign a top dog is a costly endeavor. Most important is to have clients that are cheerleaders, so on those difficult days, they are supportive of you and the dog.

Support System at Home

Most handlers have a string of dogs, or their own dogs and business to take care of at home. Support system of home care, training, and showing of young dogs, breeding and whelping, and someone just to pay the bills and handle emergencies is critical.

Sport Appreciation

The “sport” or “fancy” has to appreciate and respect the dog and the handler. No dog rises to the top without others believing and recognizing the breed quality and being a cheerleader.

After all, there are many great dogs just sitting in backyards at #20 in breed rankings. There is more to #1 than just a great dog.

Laura and her Talent for Special Needs Dogs

One key to Laura King’s success is her innate ability to feel and read a dog, and her intuitive comprehension of how to serve the special needs of a particular dog. Knowing whether a dog is difficult or just needs to decompress can look very similar in behavior, but how the handler should react are very different. The muscle tone, ears, eyes, and tail tell much of the dog’s needs.

Dogs Come First

Dogs come first. No matter what our dreams or agenda is… dogs come first.

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70 – Movement Improvement: Expanding Dog Show Basics with Laura Reeves

Movement Improvement with Laura Reeves

Most important is to move properly for your breed. Don’t follow the crowd.

Basic Movement of the Dog – Episode 3

To refresh on the basics of moving your dog in the ring, listen to Episode 3 on PureDogTalk.

Movement Improvement – Down and Back

In episode 3, we covered 1, 2, 3, go….. and how to line up your dog with the judge. The judge wants to see your dog’s rear, not yours.

To improve movement, you need to see what you can’t from the end of your leash.

Have someone else move your dog so you can watch.
Have someone videotape you moving your dog to evaluate how you are both together.

How your dog is moving is one factor. How the two of you move together, is another story.

If your dog is crabbing or sidewinding, try slowing down or re-positioning the collar higher on the neck.

If the front is flailing and flopping, you may have too tight of a leash or holding the dog’s head to high – lower your hand and let the dogs head down.

Movement Improvement – Going Around

Reach and Drive is not correct in every breed standard. While an Afghan floating around the ring is gorgeous to watch, it’s difficult to achieve with a Bulldog.

Again, video tape is your friend.

Movement Improvement – Equipment

Laura covers different collars and leashes in this episode. Sometimes a metal chain bothers a dog with sensitive hearing, and a simple switch to a soft choke solves the problem.

Experiment with options to see how your dog performs.

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69 – Dog Savvy Lawyer: Jen Amundsen – Puppy Contracts, Estate Planning and Pet Trusts

Dog Savvy Lawyer: Jen Amundsen

Dog Savvy Lawyer on Puppy Contracts

Puppy Contracts – you should have one!

Puppy contracts are are starting point for a conversation with puppy buyers about expectations. This is where you memorialize how you are going to work together, what you expect from the buyer, and confirm that your expectations are going to be met.

Send the contract in advance for them to read. Best to know if they didn’t hear anything that you said about limited registration or spay/neuter before they show up to pick up their puppy.

Legal Considerations

Let’s say you have a spay neuter in the contract but they breed. this is a very hard scenario. The mechanism for enforcement is a lawsuit, and even then establishing damages is difficult.

When you write the contract, put your home jurisdiction in it, and consider specifying the liquidated damages. It may not always work, but in writing is best.

From the buyer perspective …do not take it personally. Breeders should explain that it is to show responsibility and to ensure safety of the puppy. Consider adding a visitation clause with notice for checking on the puppy.

Estate Planning

Many have a will that includes the care of their dogs. However, a will only deals with after your death. If you are incapacitated, legal provisions should be taken for that situation.

A power of attorney that specifies who and how is to take care of your dogs and how they will be provided for is a good start.

Be sure to update a list of who the dogs are, and who they go to.

Pets are Personal Property

Pets are personal property and state specific law usually states that personal property passes to next of kin, whether that is who you really wanted or not. Be sure pets are clearly spelled out in your estate planning with contingent beneficiaries.

Pet Trusts

Most states now accept Pet Trusts that define the person to receive pets, a sum of money to care for the pets, and trustee that makes sure money goes to care of pets.

Call the Dog Savvy Lawyer for any advice or recommendations. We hope you enjoy the episode.

In Case of Emergency – from PureDogTalk

Considering the miles that we drive to and from shows, trials and field events…often late at night, remember these tips:

Home Safe Buddy – Someone that knows when you should be home, what route you are driving, and your license number. TEXT or CALL your buddy when you arrive home safely.
Authorization to care for your dogs, vet number, and emergency numbers in your glove compartment in case you are unable to answer questions.
Identification on crates and dogs. Leashes attached to crates.

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67 – African Basenji Project with Damara Bolte: Legendary Basenji Mentor

African Basenji Project Stories with Damara Bolte

Damara Bolte: PHA Handler, Basenji Breeder and Animal Sculptor

Enjoy the stories of a woman professional handler in the 1950’s, early days of Basenji’s in America, 33 years of working at National Institutes of Health’s “Mouse House” and more…

Damara Bolte’s sculptures can be found in the AKC Dog Museum, as commissioned works and awards.

The artist, Damara Bolte, has a strong background in Animal Husbandry and Livestock Judging. Graduating from Purdue University in Animal Husbandry, she studied sculpture in Paris under Messr. C. Delhommeau and retired from thirty-three years as a supervisory Animal Scientist at the National Institutes of Health. She has bred generations of Best in Show Basenjis under the Reveille prefix and also Mastiffs and Border Terriers.

ARTICLE ON AFRICAN BASENJI PROJECT BY DAMARA BOLTE

BASENJI CLUB OF AMERICA AFRICAN STOCK PROJECT

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66 – Free Stack Perfection: Dog Show Basics Expanded with Laura Reeves

Free Stack Perfection – Nail it Every Time!

Impress with the Best with tips from Laura Reeves.

In episode #2 we talked about the basic practice for training the free stack.

Free Stack – Tip #1 – Opposites Attract

When training the basic free stack, if you step towards the dog, the dog backs up. If you step backwards, the dog moves up. Step sideways or turn and the dog adjusts to your front.

Now we are going to put the leash on, use a little bait and set a perfect stack.

Stand squarely in front of your dog. Shoulders back and good posture. Make eye contact affirming your watch command.
Move forward to back you dog up. Back the dog until he sets his rear properly.
Back up slightly until dog moves front feet forward. Use the leash gently if necessary. Reward immediately the perfect stack.

Free Stack – Tip #2 – Dancing with your Dog

Think Dancing with the Stars! Each dance partner has their own space. Shoulders back, posture erect, tummy in and balanced.

Slight movement in your body and your dancing dog adjusts. Both are bonded through eye contact. Your right hand is an extension and expression that mirrors the headset of your dog.

Free Stack – Tip #3 – Focus and Zen Mode Watch

In the basics we stressed the importance of a good watch command. Being able to maintain focus and eye contact is paramount. A good watch will keep your dog focused when there are distractions outside the ring.

Spend time doing the “Zen Mode Watch”. Practice it in relaxed situations with lots of positive reinforcement. Practice it until “Watch” is a reward in itself.

The Zen Mode Watch is an understated, elegant, confident, quiet focus. If you aren’t sure what this looks like, study Andy Linton and his amazing free stacks.

Extra Tip – Throwing Bait

If you must toss bait – don’t throw your bait in front of another dog. Don’t distract another dog. Be a good sport and be sure to pick it up.

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65 – Purina Farms Event Center: Canine Competition Destination with Kaite Flamm

Purina Farms Event Center – Canine Competition Destination

Kaite Flamm – Senior Manager of Programming

Sixteen years in the making, the Purina Farms Event Center evolved from typical outdoor shows to the premiere canine competition destination. Agility, Conformation, Dock Diving, Tracking, Barn Hunt… you name it and your club can do it at the Farm. This multi-million dollar best in class center was built by dog people for dog people. Over 30 Nationals including Poodle Club of American were hosted this year.

Built for the Dogs from the Ground Up

Distinguished in design, the Purina Events Center was built from the ground up with dog competitors in mind.

Flooring

Rubber padded floors help ease the full day’s of standing and walking.
Light color selected to highlight dog coloring and visibility.

Electrical Heaven

Power reigns at Purina! Special outlets and system to handler the “blower” demand… even for Poodle Club of America.

Lighting

Close to natural lighting in the show arena and the same lighting for grooming hall… so what you see on the grooming table is what you see in the ring.

RV Parking and Rent-a-Trailer

Full hookups for RV’s that want to stay and enjoy the quiet nights on 346 acres of Purina Farms. Don’t have a trailer? No problem.

Trailers are delivered to the RV parking ready for you and your dogs. Your temporary home awaits.

Future Recommendations?

What’s in store for the future? Possibilities range from more box truck parking to additional Event Centers on the West or East Coast.

Have a suggestion? Let Kaite Flamm know about your great idea.

Thanks to Purina Farms for building us an Amazing Facility.

PURINA FARMS EVENT CENTER

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64 – Bloodhound Mantrailing and Canine Health Foundation Tick Program with Susan Hamil

Bloodhound Mantrailing, Canine Health Foundation Tick Program and more with Susan Hamil

Bloodhound Mantrailing vs. AKC Tracking

Bloodhound Mantrailing is a Bloodhound Club breed specific performance trial that differs from AKC Tracking. AKC Tracking is an all-breed event where the dog has to track every turn.

Bloodhound Mantrailing does not have to indicate each turn. Scents can be 18 hours to 36 hours old. Trails are variable surfaces – grass, parking lots, buildings, and the bloodhound has to give positive identification of the person that laid the trail.

Bloodhounds as Evidence Tools

Did you know that bloodhounds do more than find lost people or track criminals? They also are used as an evidence tool in court and investigation. An item is presented to the bloodhound, and the dog then “picks from a line-up” the person whose scent matches the item.

Susan Hamil – Quiet Creek Bloodhounds

#1 Bloodhound status belongs to Susan Hamil’s Quiet Creek Bloodhound line. However, Susan’s dedication to the Canine Health Foundation and its Tick and Disease prevention program demonstrates how excelled breeders and dog people give back to their sport. Listen as Susan Hamil discusses many of the challenges and accomplishments of the Canine Health Foundation and her role as an AKC Delegate.

Chien d’ Saint Hubert / Bloodhound Club d’Italia. April 2017
San Miniato , Tuscany, Italy

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63 – Conformation Basics Expanded #1 by Laura Reeves

Conformation Back to Basics for Summer Shows

Ready for Summer? Let’s start with a quick review:

Stack Your Dog

Moving Your Dog

Quiet Hands with Janice Hayes

Teach a dog to stand without stuffing food in it’s mouth…

Your show dog lunging at bait does not create a simple, clean and impressive picture. Train without handfuls of bait. Handfuls of food equals bribery, not training.

Watch the video below to see how this is accomplished.

Be Fair and Consistent – Don’t Expect what you don’t Train

If you don’t train a behavior such as a stack, don’t expect it in the ring. It’s just not fair. Put in the time if you want the reward. Remember, Olympic athletes win because of the discipline and training first, then their talents.

Conformation Common Battles

Rocking Horse or Racking Back

If the judge approaches and the dog racks back, you have an outside the ring practice issue. Laura explains a little of this in her personal story at the end of this episode but also:

Conga Line – At a show or kennel meeting with experienced dog people:

Stack your dog
Have first person approach with a smile and just touch your dog on the back and keep going, reward and release.
Repeat with a slightly longer touch – don’t push it. Reward and release.
Repeat with pat on head, touch on back, walk around rear and back to standing in the front away from the dog, reward and release.
Get the picture… Don’t go to fast. If the dog reacts, go back a step.

Balance

Moving a foot or dancing in the ring could be as simple as poor stacking or stacking your dog in an uncomfortable position.

Be sure to stack your dog appropriate to your breed.
Practice stacking while looking in a mirror.
Print photos of winning dogs and paste them to the mirror to compare.

Over Exuberant, Happy Happy

Yes, we want our dogs to have a good time. Yes, this is an issue if the judge cannot examine. Yes, this is lack of training the basics.

A happy, happy release from a stand stay is a reward. Watch the agility and obedience rings if this is a new concept to you.

Sit, Stay, and Stand are all trainable expectations. Practicing or “proofing” these expectations in dog show or public situations are part of your job to prepare your dog for the show ring. It doesn’t just “happen”.

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