04/10/2020
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!!
