Level 2Exhibitor
Rest: giving your dog real breaks
The answer
At a show, a few minutes in the ring can come with several hours of travelling and waiting. Meanwhile, your dog is discovering smells, hearing barking and watching lots of people go by.
Planning rest is part of his preparation. A useful break lets him settle without having to keep watch, meet someone or respond to a new demand.
Lying down doesn't necessarily mean resting
A dog can stay still while watching everything that passes. See whether he seems relaxed and whether he manages to settle comfortably. If his spot forces him to stay constantly on alert, look for a quieter place.
The RSPCA recommends a clean, dry, comfortable and quiet resting place where the dog can stay undisturbed. [1] At a show, try to get as close as you can to these conditions.
Beginner: protecting the quiet moments
1. Protect his night before the show
Prepare the kit and organise the final touches early enough to avoid an endless evening. Keep his sleep and toilet routines as far as possible. A predictable routine helps the dog know when he can settle. [2]
The right habit: make your kit list before you start grooming.
2. Set up a comfortable rest corner
Bring a familiar mat and choose an authorised spot away from busy thoroughfares. Check the temperature, the ventilation and access to water.
The right habit: watch your dog once he is settled. A spot that is convenient for you won't necessarily be restful for him.
3. Let him sleep without disturbing him
Avoid petting by visitors, photos and repetitions during his rest periods. You can simply say: “He's taking a break, we're leaving him in peace.”
The right habit: keep chats with other exhibitors for times when your dog isn't being disturbed.
Intermediate: organising the wait
1. Alternate rest and outings
A break in the crate doesn't replace outings to move around and relieve himself.
MyDogShow tip: Take your dog out of his crate about every hour during the day. It is a guideline to adapt to his needs, not a length of time to wait as a matter of course.
The right habit: offer a short, quiet outing, then go back to rest without adding a training session.
2. Get him used to his set-up
If you use a crate, get your dog used to it gradually before the show. It must be big enough for him to sit, stand and lie down comfortably. [3]
The right habit: try out the mat and the set-up at home, rather than discovering them in a busy hall.
3. Keep the table for grooming
The preparation table is not a place for prolonged waiting.
MyDogShow tip: Take breaks during grooming and never leave your dog unattended on a table with a grooming restraint.
The right habit: once the finishing touches are done, settle your dog back in his rest space.
Advanced: adapting the programme to recovery
1. Plan the breaks too
When several runs are scheduled, identify the slots when your dog can really rest. Avoid filling every gap with repetitions and touch-ups.
The right habit: note rest times on your schedule, just like judging times.
2. Reassess a wait that drags on
A delay can upset a well-organised day. If your dog can no longer settle, look for a quieter solution, cut back on demands or consider withdrawing him.
The right habit: decide according to his condition at the time, even if a final is coming up.
3. Plan a quiet return
After the show, get back to his routines and let him sleep without interruption. Adapt the following activities to his condition, without imposing the same recovery time on every dog.
The right habit: if unusual tiredness persists or comes with other symptoms, ask a vet for an opinion.
A break has nothing to prove
Your dog doesn't need to be occupied every moment. Giving him calm sometimes means putting the brush away, keeping visitors off and accepting to ask nothing of him for a while.