Preparation mistakes to avoid

The most common mistakes come from rushing, poorly suited techniques or needless touch-ups. Here are nine tips for preparing your dog without turning the day before the show into a catch-up session.

Beginner: three tips for avoiding the classic pitfalls

1. Don’t wait until the last evening to discover everything. A dog who already knows the brush, having their paws handled and the drying equipment finds grooming easier. Set up short, regular sessions and ask for a demonstration of the techniques specific to their coat.

Also book appointments early enough: some preparations require keeping certain lengths or organising several stages.

2. Don’t automatically copy another dog’s grooming. An appealing outline in a photo is not a set of instructions. Consult the standard and ask the breeder or a groomer who knows the breed to explain the coat’s needs.

Even within a breed, the condition of the coat and the care needed can differ from one dog to another.

3. Don’t force a knot or cut it out with scissors. If the tool catches, examine the area. A tight clump or one close to the skin deserves a professional’s help.

   MyDogShow tip: don’t cut out knots yourself with scissors: the risk of injury is real.

Intermediate: three tips for making grooming more reliable

1. Don’t rush the rinsing and drying. Set aside time for these steps as soon as you schedule the bath. The AKC stresses removing the shampoo completely and recommends drying with gentle heat, at a sufficient distance from the skin.

A coat that looks dry on the surface still deserves a check in the thick areas.

2. Don’t change your whole routine just before the show. A new shampoo, a different tool and a different technique on the same day make the result hard to predict. Introduce new things well in advance, with a professional’s advice, then observe the coat and how well the dog tolerates it.

For particular skin needs, choose the products with your vet.

3. Don’t confuse cleanliness with piling on treatments. Repeated baths, insistent brushing or systematic cleaning are not goals. Adapt what you do to real needs. Also check the paws and nails: general upkeep is not limited to the top of the coat.

Advanced: three tips for keeping your preparation under control

1. Don’t multiply touch-ups without a precise aim. Before cutting, put the coat back in place and look at the dog from a distance. Watch them moving too. Identify what the correction should improve, then reassess after each small step.

If you hesitate, put the tool down: a few minutes’ perspective can save you from losing a length.

2. Don’t rely on the “show special” label. At FCI international CACIB shows, substances that alter the structure, colour or shape of the coat, skin or nose are prohibited. So check the effect of the products, as well as the rules of the event.
3. Don’t sacrifice comfort to finish at all costs. Plan breaks and finish the preparation when the dog is ready. The FCI regulations prohibit keeping them tied on the table for longer than necessary. They also provide for the exclusion of sick dogs from the shows concerned.

Pain, lameness or an injury calls for a proper assessment; it is not fixed with an extra finishing touch.

The small oversight that causes a big rush

Prepare the equipment and the documents requested before leaving. Check the address, the times given and the reception instructions. Once there, keep time for a toilet break, settling in and the final checks.

That way you can put the brush away when you are called, with your mind free for your dog.

Sources

• American Kennel Club: Bathing your dog needn’t be a chore
• American Kennel Club: Dog shampoos
• FCI: Dog Show Regulations (PDF)