Level 2Exhibitor
Getting your dog used to the table
Gaining a bit of height… while keeping confidence!
On the ground, your dog feels at ease. But put him on a table and he flattens himself or tries to get back into your arms. Between the height, the unfamiliar surface and a person approaching to examine him, that’s a lot of new things!
The aim is simple: to teach him that the table is a stable, predictable place where he can stand for a few moments with confidence. The polished presentation will come later.
Note: not all breeds are examined on a table. The FCI publishes guidelines specifying the examination surface by breed: floor, ramp or table. Check what applies to your dog with his breed club.
Beginner — Discovering without getting scared
1. Start with a mat on the floor
Choose a non-slip mat. Encourage your dog to step onto it, then reward him when he stands on it, even briefly.
This little exercise creates a familiar reference point that you can bring to a suitable platform.
MyDogShow tip: with a small dog, introduce raised surfaces gradually, starting low.
2. Prepare a genuinely safe surface
The surface must be stable, suited to the dog’s weight and size, and roomy enough. Check that it locks in place and fit a non-slip covering.
A table that moves or paws that slip make learning harder. Stay next to the dog and prevent any attempt to jump. Never leave him alone up high.
3. Reward a very small success
At first, a few seconds may be enough. Put your dog on a low, safe surface, give him a reward, then help him down.
There’s no need to wait until he fidgets before finishing. A short, pleasant experience makes him want to do it again. The duration suggested here is a teaching guideline, not a competition requirement.
Intermediate — Feeling comfortable up high
1. Take care over getting on and off
For a dog you can lift comfortably, support the chest and the hindquarters as you move him. Ask for a demonstration at a handling class if you lack confidence.
Don’t lift your dog by the lead or by his limbs, and don’t ask him to jump down. If his weight makes lifting difficult, get someone to help you find a suitable solution.
2. Gently lengthen the time standing
Reward your dog while he stays in position. Add a little more time once the previous step becomes easy, then use a clear signal to mark the end.
MyDogShow tip: work on one difficulty at a time: if you change location, shorten the exercise again. This progression helps your dog learn to stay in place.
3. Add a first touch
On the table, briefly touch an area your dog already accepts on the ground, such as the shoulder. Take your hand away, then reward.
Then introduce the other movements separately. A familiar table doesn’t automatically make having the ears or paws examined pleasant: each type of handling deserves its own learning.
Advanced — Preparing for the judge’s examination
1. Bring in another person
Invite a calm person to approach and make brief contact. Stay close to your dog to keep him safe.
Start with someone he knows before varying the helpers. If he stiffens, turns his head away or tries to move off, simplify the exercise. Stillness alone doesn’t prove he is relaxed.
2. Vary the conditions gradually
A dog who is at ease at home may hesitate in a busy hall. Practise in different safe places, then introduce a few moderate distractions.
Change only one element at a time: the place, the person or the duration. Handling classes at shows can help you adapt these exercises to your breed.
3. Rehearse a short complete sequence
Put it together: getting onto the table, standing, a few handling moves, reward, then a supported descent.
Aim for a smooth sequence rather than a long period of stillness.
MyDogShow tip: be clear about the difference between training and waiting: don’t leave your dog tied on a grooming table for longer than needed to prepare him.
The right yardstick
Your dog is making progress when he finds his feet, accepts being touched and happily does it again. If he tries to escape, make his descent safe and go back to an easier step.
The table should become a reassuring place, not an ordeal to endure.