Level 2Exhibitor
How do you accept a decision?
The answer
You had prepared carefully, rehearsed the movement and pictured a good placing… then the result comes in, different from what you expected. Disappointment is normal.
Accepting a decision means respecting the result and the people, even when you had hoped for something else. You can take the time to understand the judging while keeping a sporting attitude.
Beginner: taking the result in
1. Give yourself a few seconds
Before commenting, breathe and listen to any final instructions. If you are disappointed, wait until you are out of the ring to talk about it calmly.
The tip: prepare a very simple sentence: “Thank you for the judging.” You don’t need to improvise a speech just when emotion is rising.
2. Stay warm with your dog
Your dog has no idea what the placing means. Keep talking to it kindly and end the class with its usual reward, if that suits it.
The result doesn’t erase the progress made: calmer waiting or an examination accepted can already be a real success.
3. Congratulate the other competitors
A “Well done on your result” is enough. Avoid remarks about the winning dog or comparisons made out loud around the ring.
The right reflex: let others enjoy their success, as you would like them to do for you.
Intermediate: understanding without getting defensive
1. Reread the assessment before drawing conclusions
If you were given a judging sheet, read all the comments. Don’t focus only on the point you dislike.
The tip: pick out one quality that was highlighted and one point to clarify.
MyDogShow tip: if a sheet detailing the assessments comes with your grade card, read all of it.
2. Ask a precise question at the right moment
When the judge is available, ask for a short explanation.
Try this: “Could you tell me what you saw in his movement?”
Avoid starting with “But the last judge…”.
MyDogShow tip: if the judge is able to comment on their assessment, use the moment to ask a specific question.
3. Separate your attachment from the result
You know your dog’s qualities in daily life. The judging concerns the criteria assessed at shows; it does not measure the place your dog has in your life.
The tip: replace “My dog is worthless” with a concrete observation: “Today, his handling lacked consistency.” You can then check whether that reading really matches the judge’s comments.
Advanced: making the most of the experience
1. Choose a goal you can act on
Once you understand the assessment, separate what is down to handling, condition or conformation. Not everything can be fixed in a few sessions.
Example: if your speed got in the way of the movement, work on it in training. Choose a precise goal rather than upending your whole preparation.
2. Step back before posting
In the heat of the moment, a post can turn a passing disappointment into a lasting conflict. Give yourself time before commenting publicly on the judge or the competitors.
The tip: write down your impressions for yourself, then reread them later. Keep the facts and remove assumptions about other people’s intentions.
3. Tell disagreement from irregularity
The official benchmark: at an FCI international CACIB show, the judge’s decisions on grades, awards and placings are final and not open to appeal.
A complaint about the organisation or about how awards are made is a separate procedure. Section 13 provides for a written complaint handed immediately to the organisers, with a deposit equal to twice the entry fee. If you spot a possible irregularity, go to the secretariat without delay with precise facts.
The MyDogShow mini-reflex
I respect the result, I seek to understand and I leave with a useful goal.
You can be disappointed today and still want to come back tomorrow. Sportsmanship is also built in moments like these.