Today I'm going to give you a virtual tour to help you learn to master the dog show ring. I want to make sure you’re comfortable in the ring, and that you have all the information you need ahead of time. Remember, my goal is for you to be successful by being able to concentrate on just showing your dog. Top competitors in any sport visualize their performances, and I'm going to help you make that transition.

A master handler is a master of the ring. That's their theater. That's their stage. They own that. You and your dog can reach toward that as a goal. Once you get down to the basics of where to place a leg, what to do with the leash and where to set the collar, all the rest of it is in your head. Master handlers make it look really easy. Don’t underestimate the amount of concentration and focus that's required when you're in the ring. I’m going to give you some solid pro tips so you don't get overwhelmed.

Early Bird Gets the Worm

First things first, get to the dog show early. Do not come running in at the last second, you and your dog all flustered and trying to figure out where you're supposed to be and what you’re supposed to do. This is guaranteed to be unsuccessful. Get to the show two hours ahead of your scheduled ring time. Get to your grooming setup, get your dog settled and then go find the ring. Check to confirm your dog is actually entered in the catalog.

I strongly recommend that you go two breeds ahead of yours and watch the judging. Sit there for half an hour or whatever it takes and really watch the judge. Watch the pattern, watch where and how the dogs are examined. Does the judge look back down the line? Do you have to pay attention to that? This is part of your visualization, figuring out how you can best show your dog on this day so that the judge can find what they're looking for.

Let's say your ring time is 10 a.m. and there are three breeds ahead of you, with a total of 30 dogs in those three breeds. AKC schedules each judge for two minutes per dog, so you might think you're not going in the ring until 11. Pro tip? Sometimes those dogs don't show up! Sometimes you have judges that go much faster than two minutes per dog. My strong recommendation is that you go to your ring when the set of breeds you're being judged in starts. Pick up your armband and politely ask the ring steward to see how many dogs are picked up before the judging of your breed starts. That way you know that you're going to be there on time and you're not going to miss your class.

I don't recommend having your dog sit ringside for two hours because they're going to get bored. I like to go watch a couple breeds, pick up my armband, know how long it's going to be until I'm in the ring within a reasonable amount of time, and then I go get my dog ready.

Cleanliness is Next to Godliness

Head back to your setup and double check that your dog is properly groomed. Your checklist on this includes:

·  Clean dog (yes, he has to have a bath!)

·  Toenails trimmed and not touching the ground

·  Pearly white teeth

·  Shiny pink ears

Breed-specific trimming and presentation are musts, but you have to start with the basics.

Make sure your outfit is comfortable and that you remember to change into your show shoes. Grab a mint. I know this might sound weird, but the smell will help cover the nerves on your breath. Literally, your dog can smell your fear. A breath mint gives you the edge over your super-smelling canine companion.

Now is when your mental game comes in. You've practiced the 5-second drills, you know where to line up, you know what the judge is going to want you to do. You know your dog can do a free stack that rocks the world and your dog can move in a straight line on a loose lead. And you know your presentation quietly and confidently showcases your dog as the easy and obvious choice.

Details Matter

When the judging begins for your breed and your class is called in, look at your armband number and know where you are in relation to the other dogs in your class. If you're the only one in a class, many judges will just have you move around the ring, and others will want to examine the dog first and then go around the ring. This is why it’s important to watch a couple of the breeds ahead of yours so that you're prepared.

When your number is called, go into the ring, get lined up and the judge will ask the class to go around. As you're moving around the ring, and as you are stacking your dog in the ring, always pay attention to the spacing of yourself and the other dogs. Be sure you are not crowding or infringing on another dog's space. As you're going around the ring, wait three strides as the dog ahead of you goes, and then you can follow behind and move your dog in the fashion and speed that is best for your dog.

If this is a table breed, watch where the judge wants the dog placed on the table. Where the dog is positioned on the table should make it easy for the judge to examine the dog. Listen carefully to the judge’s instructions for what pattern in which to move your dog and your earlier observation of the ring will tell you if the judge is expecting to see you free stack the dog at the end of the go 'round or has already turned to examine the next dog.

To Bait or Not to Bait

Whether it be food or a squeaky toy, bait is sometimes an imperative piece of your dog’s presentation. If you've followed this column, where I talk about hand stacking your dog as a basic obedience exercise, you'll know that you can get your dog set up and ready for the judge to see without using any food. Some judges don't want you to use bait at all. And a little bit of food goes a long way. Be courteous! Don’t feed the dog right before the judge comes to do the mouth exam. If you can avoid feeding the dog right when the judge is coming up or feeding on the table at all, that's your best choice.

Sometimes squeaky toys are the only things that work to get expression from your dog. Do keep in mind as your dog is vigorously squeaking her toy, you may well be interrupting or distracting or causing a problem for someone else's dog. If you must use a squeaky toy, use it judiciously. Train the dog so that just showing her the toy brings the desired results.

It's important that you show your dog to the best of your ability, but you also need to be considerate.

Sportsmanship

I can't talk enough about this. Sportsmanship is very much a part of what this game is about. Congratulating the winners and being a graceful winner are important things to consider and to remember. Make a point of saying "Congratulations" or saying "Thank you" if someone congratulates you. Each person in that ring loves their dog the best. Whoever wins is excited and should be allowed the happiness of that moment. Poor sportsmanship takes that away from someone and that's not fair.

Winning Image

Mastering the dog show ring is a mental exercise. Practice really does make perfect. The more you practice and the more you visualize this, the more you are free to concentrate on making the picture for the judge. Your shoulders are back, your bearing is proud, and your dog is picture perfect. That is the winning image. The more you’re able to showcase that to the judge, the better chance you have of being successful on that given day.

That’s a wrap folks! For the past few months, we’ve raised the curtain on the ins and outs of dogs shows, covering everything from finding the perfect show puppy, to moving like a pro with your dog in the ring. Thank you for loving this column as much as I have loved writing it, and for joining me in all of our Facebook Lives, sparking amazing conversations with your questions.

Now I leave you with all of the tools you need to go off and become the master of your own show ring.

Good luck! You're already champions in my book.