The day before the show: last preparations without rushing

Good preparation is not measured by the number of hours spent on the table. It must match the needs of the coat, the breed standard and your dog's comfort.

Should you bath your dog the day before?

Not necessarily. The right time depends on the coat type and the look you're after. If the bath the day before is part of a routine you've already mastered and that suits your dog, you can follow this schedule. If not, avoid improvising: ask the breeder or a groomer who knows the breed for advice.

The FCI sets no general rule requiring a bath the day before. The timing advice given here consists of practical recommendations.

Beginner: three tips for a calm evening

1. Do a gentle check of the coat. Check that the paws are clean, the friction areas and any small tangles. Use your usual tools, without pulling or persisting on a sensitive area. A major tangle discovered late deserves a professional's help; it's best to avoid a long, improvised detangling session.
2. Pack your bag before going to bed. Gather the brush, the comb, a clean towel, the show lead, poo bags, water and the bowl. Add the documents requested by the organiser and your entry confirmation. In the morning, you'll be glad not to be hunting for your comb among the shoes!
3. Keep the end of the day familiar. Offer a walk suited to your dog, its usual mealtimes and a quiet place to sleep. Avoid combining late grooming with endless rehearsals. The FCI regulations remind us that health and wellbeing must remain the priority. [1]

Intermediate: three tips for polishing the finishing touches

1. Follow the planned schedule for bathing and drying. If a bath is planned, use the products and techniques your dog already knows. Allow enough time for rinsing and drying suited to the coat, at a comfortable temperature. The day before a show is a poor time to try a new shampoo for the first time.
2. Look at your dog standing, then moving. A well-prepared coat must meet the breed's requirements. In the American Cocker Spaniel, for example, the feathering must not hide the lines or the gait, and the grooming must keep a natural look. An overall check will help you decide whether a small touch-up is useful. [2]
3. Plan the next day's journey. Check the address, the times communicated and the arrival arrangements. Set up a clean, safe travel space, with familiar bedding. Allow a margin to take your dog out on arrival and settle in calmly.

Advanced: three tips to avoid the touch-up too far

1. Limit yourself to corrections whose result you know. Before cutting, look at the outline as a whole. Is a strand really bothering you, or have you just been staring at it for too long? At the slightest doubt, put the scissors down. In the Poodle, the permitted clips are precisely described and the standard discourages excessive grooming. [3]
2. Check that the products you use are compliant. At FCI international CACIB shows, substances that alter the structure, colour or shape of the coat, skin or nose are prohibited. Check the effect the product is meant to have and the rules of the event before using it. [1]
3. Prepare the morning's actions, then call it a day. Put the equipment needed for the final touches within reach and decide what will be left to do on site. Allow breaks during grooming and watch for signs of discomfort. The FCI regulations prohibit keeping the dog tied on the table longer than needed for its preparation. [1]

When everything is ready, put the equipment away and enjoy a quiet moment with your dog. Tomorrow, you'll already have plenty to discover together.

Sources

• [1] FCI: Regulations for FCI Dog Shows (PDF)
• [2] FCI: Standard No. 167, American Cocker Spaniel (PDF)
• [3] FCI: Standard No. 172, Poodle (PDF)