Conformation by Cole

90 degrees, Thunder & rain. Bummer.Seeya next week, Class!

Lightning, Thunder, & Rain, Oh, My!!
No class.. See you next week!
Be safe!!

New Alert!! New Park!! Webster Park across from the Family Arena, 7p, Tue!

♦️♦️Hi Everyone!!! Conformation classes will start again next week, on June 23rd, Tuesday, at DuSable Park, (South of Riverfront Park) in St. Charles, in the Ed Bales Picnic area!!
They will be at 7pm, and there will be signs and my red Grand Caravan!
I can't wait to see you all!!!!‼️‼️
Masks requested, Please, especially for the exams!

Petropolis isn't open yet. is anyone up for doing classes in the park on Tuesdays??

Sorry I haven't posted lately! Changing jobs!!! Tip for the past couple of weeks: If you want to hear some very wise words from my mentor, George Alston, go on YouTube, and type in his name! He recently did a great interview with Will Alexander!!!

O.K. Tip for this week..
After you know your dog is stacked in place, (Move ONLY the feet that NEED moving!) and you are still standing to the side, for a good look over, be sure to lift the dogs head up gently, and back a little, with your right hand, while still keeping tension with your left hand under the collar. This will put your dogs head up (instead of them looking like a turtle) and give your dog a much more elegant look.
Also, if you stand in front of your dog, do NOT bait the dog high up. Bait the dog at its eye level or lower. Baiting your dog too high gives the judge the impression of a rounder eye shape, arches the neck the strong way, and puts a dip in the back and whithers..
Hopefully, I'll be able to see you all soon! Take care, stay safe thill then, and keep practicing when you can!! ❤️

O.K. I'll admit that I've been remiss for the last couple of weeks. That doesn't mean I haven't thought of everyone and felt very guilty!!
Anyway, here is my tip for this week!!
Did you know that AKC and the Handlers Program is offering seminars on June 6th, June 27th, and July 4th?? The second two ore for juniors, but they still might have information you can use!!
Go to the AKC Registered Handlers Program FB page, and you will see the details!!
Until next week.. Stay safe!!! I miss you all!!

Sorry I'm a day late with the info for this week!! I hope everyone is staying inside and safe!
I thought I might recommend something to you that my mentor, George Alston highly recommended.
When George retired, he recommended 3 people to contact, if clubs wanted to give a seminar like his. Two of those people were Will Alexander and me.
Will has some excellent videos on his site, and they are endorsed by George. I recommend them over any others you might want to see.
Will's website is willalexander.net.
Enjoy the video's and I hope we'll be able to get together soon!!

Well, clearly we're not having classes again this week...A couple of tips and reminders. If you have a dog that has a good topline, don't run your hand along it, The judge isn't stupid, and it's irritating to them if you do that. People tend to look where other people are looking, so just look at the topline, (or rear, or head, or neck, or whatever) and the judge's eyes will be drawn to the good point. Similarly, when you take a win picture. (and you will win) DON"T look at the camera and just grin like an idiot! Smile, and look at the DOG!!! The DOG is the focal point, not you, and if everyone in the photo looks at the dog, that is what your eye will be drawn to first.
I know it goes without saying, dress nicely, in well-fitting clothes for your size (whatever that may be), and try to pick a color that compliments or contrasts your dogs, depending on if your dog has few faults, or you are wanting to hide something.
Hope to see you all soon!! Stay safe!
Barb the Hermit...😕

COVID time...sigh, I hope everyone is doing fine and quarantining! For this week's reminders, we'll go with the little dogs!
Remember, when you put them on the table, to pick them up and handle them like they are very precious, and not a sack of potatoes! Pick them up with your left arm over the dog, and around and under the chest, with your forefingers between its front legs, and your right hand under its JAW..not on the neck! Put its hind legs down first, and then when they're on the table, stretch the dog a little forward, and set it's front down. Then only fix the feet that need to be fixed!
When you take the dog OFF the table, turn around to set it on the ground, away from the judge, and then start off right from the table, for your down and back.
If your dog needs a ramp, start it by using a stable grooming table on the floor. Once it's used to that, and raising it, get the dod to the platform part of the ramp for the exam, and then turn him INTO you, and have him go back down the ramp. DON"T have him just bail off of the ramp, to start the moving exercise after the exam!
Those are a couple of things for you to remember, that I"ve probably worked with you before on, and I know we will again soon.
Remember to keep the sessions short, praise for a good job, and have playtime between sessions, to keep it fun, and the dog wanting more!
Stay well, and inside, and practice with your dogs for that Best in Show!!

Wellp....No classes AGAIN!!! Sigh.. Tips for this week, Don't forget to reward your dog right after good behavior and give them a release (I use "O-KAY!!") so they know it was an "exercise" that they accomplished well. Also, don't forget to keep your hand under the collar, and pull UP, and very steady when you set their rear up. Don't fidget, and only set the legs that NEED to be set!!!
YOu guys are great.. More tips and reminders each week that we don't have class.. (Which I hope is a very short time!!) Take care, stay safe, and hug the pups for me!!!💕❤️🐶🐕🐩🐾