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If you are considering preparing your pet for the dog show, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
Owning a dog is a joy like no other. They say dogs are man’s best friend, and it isn’t hard to imagine why people say that – the happiness they bring into your lives is unmatched. The emotional connection which you share with your dog is a bond that will stand the test of time.
While you have your dog, appreciate it, love it and train it to be the perfect pet.
Speaking of training, it would be a great idea to train your furry friend for the dog show! The first place’s reward is usually reasonably lucrative, but other than that, the training process can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience for you and your doggo. Winning the dog show is an ultimate end goal, but it would be great if you appreciated the journey to get to the finish line!
If you are considering preparing your pet for the dog show, there are a few things you should keep in mind. The training process isn’t the most comfortable hill to climb, and it’s going to take a considerable amount of effort to qualify, let alone win. Therefore, here are five tips to help prepare your pet.
Pedigree dogs are easier to train
Though we advocate for adoption whenever you can, it is now somewhat understood that behavioral genetics limit how much you could train a dog. Stray dogs are considerably more challenging to train than pure-breeds. Other than the fact that they stop biting at a late age, strays are naturally more resistant to training. You might have a hard time qualifying for the show with an untrained pup.
If you are looking for a pure-bred dog to train for the dog show, consider a mastiff. Mastiffs are larger dogs that are relatively easy to prepare because of their undiluted blood. If you get a mastiff, there is a strong chance you will probably be getting a pure-bred. If not, you can check out Wilck Woodlands American Mastiff Breeder. They will be able to hook you up with the dog of your choice and get you to the dog show!
A proper diet
It would be wise for you to give your dog a balanced diet when training them for a show. A balanced diet ensures that the animals don’t gain unnecessary weight. Additionally, certain foods can also make the training process considerably more challenging than it needs to be. A balanced diet helps remove this problem too.
Much like humans training for an athletic event, you might want to consider a balanced and well-rounded meal plan rather than simply giving them meat in every meal. Raw meat can make them aggressive and hinder the training process. It would be best to include a fair amount of greens, carbs, and proteins in their diet to get them ready for the training process and make sure that they have the energy to get through a day of hard work.
Reinforce the basics
Throughout the training process, your dog must listen to your commands at all times. Even when you advance to a more rigorous training regimen, it would be wise to reinforce the basic training principles continuously. Merely reminding them who’s boss through a command-and-reward approach can be one of the best training tips to consider.
What this does is reinforce a system of listening and comprehension. Telling your dog to sit and roll over even when you have crossed significant training milestones reinforces the master and pet role and reminds them that they have to listen to you.
Expose your dog to other dogs
A trip to the park serves more than one purpose. Sure it gives you a place to walk the dog safely, but it can be a precious part of the training process that you might not realize. You need an open area to walk the dog, but have you ever thought of the other benefits pet-friendly provides?
Exposure to other dogs is an essential aspect of training. When your dog becomes desensitized to other animals, they are less likely to react aggressively and cause a scene. Imagine you have the best-trained dog, but they have never seen other dogs in their life. Do you see the potential issue that can arise during the dog show? They will freak out when they see other animals, no matter how well-trained they are!
Please don’t be too hard on them
The learning process should be fun for both you and your furry friend. Yelling all the time while training is nonproductive for both you and your doggo.
It would be best to achieve the perfect balance of affection and corrective action so that the dog doesn’t feel that it is in a constant state of training. Spend time in practice, but remember that these are still your pets who want to make you happy and gain your affection at the end of the day. Please give it to them!
Conclusion
These tips can go a long way in helping you train your pup for the dog show. Dogs are some of the most loyal companions you can find. Rescue dogs are even more trustworthy than regular dogs because studies show that they feel like they owe you a debt for taking care of them. Enjoy your pet, train them, love them and appreciate the bond that you have.
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Welcome to Spike’s Dog Blog by Acme Canine. Throughout the site, you will find a variety of helpful dog training articles, insightful dog behavior tips, and truthful product reviews from nationally-recognized canine trainers and professionals.