Preparing a dog for a specific goal: giving every session a purpose

But “doing well at this show” is still a rather vague instruction. To know what to work on, you need to define the result you want, check the applicable conditions and choose the learning that is useful for your dog.

Here are nine tips for building this preparation.

Beginner — Defining the target

1. Write your goal in one sentence

Start by naming the event and what you want to achieve there.

For example: “Show my dog at its first show in June, with an examination prepared step by step and a steady trot.”

Your exercise: complete this sentence: “For this show, I want us to be able to…”

You'll get a more useful target than a simple “win”.

2. Check the conditions before you enter

Look up the rules of the event: required age, class available, documents requested and conditions for the awards you are aiming for.

The FCI regulations define the classes at international CACIB shows and the conditions for awarding certificates. [1, sections 5 and 7]

Your exercise: prepare a short list of conditions to check. If you are aiming for a national title, use the official regulations of the kennel organisation concerned.

3. Distinguish the result you want from the preparation goal

You may want a placing or a certificate. Your daily work should focus on what you can concretely improve.

The CACIB, for example, is not automatically awarded with a “first Excellent”. [1, section 7] Your exercise: keep two lines in your notebook:

Result wanted:
Skills to prepare:

This distinction will help you assess your progress together, whatever the result on the day.

Intermediate — Building the preparation

1. Take stock at the start

Watch your dog on the exercises needed: moving, standing, approach and examination.

Your exercise: for each exercise, note “steady”, “still variable” or “to learn”. Add a specific observation.

Then choose the difficulty that most gets in the way of the presentation. You'll avoid spending every session on an exercise that is already well mastered.

2. Work backwards from the planned date

First put the event in your calendar, then plan preparation steps and a review date before the final entry, where deadlines allow.

Your exercise: organise three phases:

Learn or clarify the exercises.
Find them again in different contexts.
Carry out short presentation simulations.

Keep a margin. If a skill takes longer to learn, adjust the programme rather than speeding up the demands.

3. Prepare for the situations actually expected

A stance achieved in the living room doesn't, on its own, prepare a dog for the environment of a show.

Your exercise: gradually introduce a different place, the presence of another person or light distractions. Change one element at a time and simplify the request if necessary.

For the examination, prepare the handling separately, without holding your dog by force. Ask for a demonstration if you don't know how to go about it.

Advanced — Adjusting to the dog and the deadline

1. Look for a presentation suited to its breed

The movement to showcase depends on the requirements of the standard.

The Poodle is described with a light, bouncy gait, whereas the German Shepherd Dog is described as a trotter whose movement must be far-reaching and look effortless. [2, p. 6 ; 3, p. 6–7]

Your exercise: film several runs at comfortable speeds. Compare them with the standard and ask for an outside eye to choose a way of moving that lets your dog be appreciated.

2. Assess the preparation before the big day

Plan a short simulation with entry, movement, stance and the approach for the examination.

Your exercise: check three points: does your dog understand the requests, can it carry them out in this context and does it stay at ease?

A difficult simulation shows what needs simplifying or preparing further. It does not justify multiplying rehearsals to the point of exhaustion.

Health and wellbeing are a priority in the FCI show regulations. [1, section 4]

3. Plan your review even before the event

Decide in advance how you will analyse this outing.

Your exercise: note the official result, the judge's report and three observations about the presentation. Compare them with your original goals.

You will then know whether the next step is to carry on learning something, ask for an explanation or pick a new target date.

Example: preparing a first show

Goal: to be able to show the dog and allow it to be examined in calm conditions.

Starting priority: identify the exercise that is least well understood.

Preparation: short sessions, separate learning, then gradual changes of context.

Check: an accessible simulation, with an outside eye.

Review after the show: what went well, what was difficult and a single priority for what comes next.

The FCI regulations provide for “Cannot be judged” when certain situations prevent the assessment of movement or the examination. Preparing these steps is therefore of practical use. [1, section 6]

Your goal sheet

Event and date:
Result wanted:
Class and conditions checked:
Skills to prepare:
Current priority:
Planned steps:
Simulation date:
Signs of satisfactory preparation:
Possible adaptation if the dog isn't ready:
Review date:

The reflex to keep

A clear goal must translate into observable exercises and steps adapted to the dog.

The result gives a direction. The preparation, for its part, is built on the small successes that you can find again together.