Many dog owners may consider entering their dogs in a dog show and if this is the case then it's necessary that you have your dog looking their best and able to overcome any challenge they might come across. This gives you greater confidence if you ever choose to enter them in a show as you won't have to worry about the little things that might affect their performance. The result should be a positive experience any time you choose to enter your dog in a show.
The first thing to be mindful of is your dog should be well trained. Obviously this is more important if competing in activities like agility, but as a general rule it is expected your dog will be on their best behavior. This means going through obedience training as a puppy and being well socialized so that they're accustomed to being in different environments and around different people or animals.
Likewise, your dog should be accustomed to the dog crate by going through the crate training process as a puppy. It should be a positive and happy place for them to stay inside, and it should become their place of refuge anywhere they travel. They will likely spend a lot of time in their crate while on the road so it helps a lot if they enjoy being inside.
Your dog should also get used to traveling. If you plan on going to a lot of dog shows, then your dog will probably be in the car a lot and for long periods of time. Get them used to it by going for short trips first before going on longer ones, and always make sure it's a positive experience for them.
Show dogs should look at their absolute best, and a key part of this is getting groomed. This can be done by a professional groomer, or if you want to develop the skills yourself then you can do it as well. Getting washed, cut and dried will make your dog absolutely shine. Be mindful of your local kennel club standards if you do expect to do it yourself.
Take your dog to the show regularly, and they'll get better at it with practice. Not everyone is likely to be a star performer at their first show appearance. Just make sure it remains an enjoyable experience for them each time, and don't force them into anything they don't want to do.
The last thing is remember to accessorize your dog accordingly using things like dog show leads - leads specifically designed for use in the show circuit.
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