We all go out to the Bully Breed Dog shows to have a good time. However, for those who are going to a show for the first time, I would like to point out some well appreciated dog show etiquette.
Always ask to pet a dog before reaching in. This is something very important to explain to your children before attending the event. He’s not yours, and you don’t know him or his owner. Be polite and ask. Yes, our dogs are supposed to be friendly but with all the noise and commotion, you can’t assume anything of a dog you do not know. Never let your child hug a dog you don’t know, even if the owner says it’s ok. That dog doesn’t know your child, and may not be welcome to a hug even if they are open to a petting session. Save the hugs for your own furry friend. I would also suggest no sticking fingers threw a cage to pet any dog at an event.
Don’t feed someone else’s dog. It sounds silly, and while some people may think coming with a small bag of treats is a nice gesture, keep in mind you don’t know the feeding plan for this animal, if he has allergies, or if the owner simply doesn’t give treats outside of training, as rewards. So please be respectful, and ask the owner before you attempt to give their dog a treat.
Do you see a dog you want to know more about? Approach the owner or handler at their booth. Out of the show ring; not while their practicing, entering, or exiting the ring. Let them focus on the show, and then they will have more time to devout to answering your questions.
Stay clear of ring entrances. Feel free to crowd around the ring to watch the event but keep the entrance clear for showing dogs, handlers, and judges entering and exiting. No reason to add stress to a showmen trying to navigate threw a crowd while he’s trying to keep his pet focused on the event.
For handlers and showers, on your part, you can show good dog show etiquette by knowing when your classes are going to begin, and being at the show ring prepared to enter the ring, 5-10 min prior to the start of the show. Most shows have a holding ring for those entering the next class to gather, while the class going on finishes up. Having the announcer delay a class because they have to call any missing participants entry #’s 5 times is unfair to the dogs ready to compete, and delays all the classes after you for the rest of the day. A show day is a long day of hard work. Keeping on time and punctual for your event keeps the event moving forward smoothly, and prevents the show from running into the late hours of the night.
Keep outside of ring markers. These markers or barriers are there to separate the spectators from the competitors. Crossing them in any way is unsafe and can distract show participants.
Outdoor shows may be loud. You may not hear your phone ringing, but guess who does; Fido in the ring does; and it may be enough to distract him out of a 1st place his owner or handler worked hard to prepare for. Try to keep phones on vibrate. If you were the one in the ring, you wouldn’t want cell phones ringing in 10 different spots, having your dogs heading on a swivel, costing him points and/or a ribbon.
Don’t bring food, toys, or any other distracting objects near the show ring.
What is a handler? A Handler is someone who shows the dog on behalf of its owner. A professional handler can guide a dogs show career. Handlers generally work with the dog, training and conditioning him for the ring. Some owners choose to show their dog themselves. Both are acceptable.
Personal pets and dogs not being shown are OKAY, at ABKC, and RKC events. Many registries do not however, allow any dogs to attend a show unless they are registered to participate in the event. For example AKC events to not allow any dogs who are not entered in the event to attend. ABKC and RKC allow you to bring dogs to the event, even if they are not being shown to promote a family friendly environment. However be respectful, make sure you bring a crate to secure them in.
Bring a formidable setup for your comfort, and your pets comfort. If you are attending the event with multiple dogs and people, choose a setup which allows enough space for your group. Dogs who are not being shown should be crated and contained within your booth, or space. At an outdoor show its very important to have shade and cold water for your dogs, and yourself.
It is not the show host’s responsibility to clean up after your dogs, its yours. Everyone please clean up after your own dogs! I see time and time again at shows people feel they don’t need to clean up after their dogs. Why would you want to cause another show participant the agony of walking around with poopy sneakers all day? It’s not something that might happen. It will get stepped in, it’s a 100% guarantee that you’re going to ruin someone’s day. At the last few shows we have attended, I actually saw people walking around with plastic bags tied around their feet. It looks funny, but its totally unnecessary. People should clean up after themselves! Let’s impress the public and our fellow Dogmen and Dogwomen, with our well behaved dogs, and clean events. Don’t give anyone ammunition to complain about anything related to the American Bully breed. If you had a good time at the show venue and want to be invited back, leaving the place a mess is not a good way to ensure that. So in addition to cleaning up after your dogs, clean up after yourselves. Don’t leave a bunch of garbage behind when you leave. It shows respect to the event, and to the show host, to leave your spot the way you found it at the start of the event.
Let’s make 2014, the year that we all take dog show etiquette serious, and promote our breed in a positive light.
exotyco Bully poked 😀