My Weekend with Johnny and Tara

J & T... what can I say?
What rhinestone covered words are there to explain the time I spent with the fabulous duo?

It all started a couple of months ago when NBC Sports host David Frei put out a post on Facebook that they were looking to do a handler makeover as a fun segment for the Kennel Club of Beverly Hills' first televised dog show. It wasn't a contest or sweepstakes, just a general outreach to the dog sports community that Mr. Frei has become such a well respected part of. I was already planning on attending the show to handle a friend's dog and enter Andy as a veteran (old dog class). I figured "why not?!" and sent off a few photos and a little information about Andy and me. Then I promptly forgot about it for a couple of weeks.

Some regular Wednesday I looked at my phone after my students had left for the day. It was Kristen, a producer from NBC Sports! I called her back immediately and we chatted about schedules and the segment. They picked me!

After our conversation the first person I told was obviously my Mom! She screamed. When my sister, a phenomenal figure skater found out about the segment her response was, "The dog gets to meet my idols? Are you kidding?!".  I must add, being the people Tara and Johnny are, they called Megan to say hello during filming.

My cute sister Megan doing her thing! 

So fast forward to the show weekend. I looked through my closet to find my least favorite show outfit. I have this horrible set of "dog show shoes" that stay in the plastic bag until we get to the show. I won't even wear them in the car. They're disgusting! I couldn't bring myself to wear those across the famous checkerboard flooring of Bloomingdales. I wore some old white sneakers instead. 

Let me just say, Johnny and Tara are the prettiest, skinniest, most tongue-in-cheek people I've ever been in the presence of. I was immediately thankful I did my pore strip and plucked my eyebrows the night before. Honestly and truly, they are the same people on and off screen. There is no Jekyll and Hyde  scenario with those two. 

We shopped all day. From 10 am to 4 pm I was in the store trying on clothing. I've never put on and taken off so many outfits at one time. It was a little exhausting. Tara and Johnny both picked out adorable outfits and options. I tried on so much more than was shown. The duo made the day hilarious and fun.

 The entire NBC Sports crew were so good at their jobs. They were kind, helpful, and had a great sense of humor. The poor sound guy, Adam, just had to laugh when he was half way through placing my body mic and I mentioned, "I'm sure they told you, but I am changing clothes in this segment". His sigh filled answer was, "No" and out came the boom. The makeup and PA girls kept getting asked if they worked at the department store. Kristen, the world's best producer somehow kept every outfit, employee, and shot location together. We were definitely a strange sight to behold to the regulars and tourists of the Beverly Center. 

What I appreciated most about this entire segment was that NBC aimed to make it educational. Why do handlers dress the way they do? What do they look for in an outfit?
Obviously not every bit of information could be smushed into a couple of minutes, but we actually went shopping for outfits that were wrong on purpose. We picked a dress that was way too short as well as a dress that was too close in color to my dog. I got to exclaim my love for pockets and functional clothing. 
At one point Kristen did ask me about handlers that hold the bait in their mouths. I told her that some people do it and more power to them, but I think it is super gross. This emphasized my need for an outfit with pockets! In the past I've actually taken clothes to my favorite tailor and had them sew in a pocket on the right side since we hold the lead with our left hand. 
Tara, Johnny. and the rest of the crew asked a lot of questions about conformation, breed heritage, and dogs in general. I was happy to answer any of them. I found it admirable how much they wanted to learn!
On this Access Hollywood interview, Tara and Johnny talk about the show and some of the things they learned that didn't fit in the makeover segment. It was an honor to be the one they learned from!


The day of the show arrived. I remember telling Kristen I didn't have super high hopes for Andy. While he is an AKC Grand Champion, he is also 10 years old and doesn't look like the dog he once was. He also isn't every judge's cup of tea. That's okay! He likes to show, so we take him out and let him enjoy the ring as a veteran dog. I told her that there were some really lovely dogs entered that all deserved to win. It would just be left up to the judge.  

Needless to say, I was surprised and overjoyed when Andy (GCH Blue Knight Silent Alarm) won Best of Breed. What a dream! What an honor! Mom and our friend Daos were sitting ringside watching with the crew. When the judge pointed to Andy, Kristen asked them "Does this mean they won?". They screamed YES and the crew began giving each other high fives! I didn't see any of this unfold. Mom told me later and I find it so sweet and genuine. No one could have predicted the way this weekend turned out. 

This meant we got to represent the Labrador Retriever in the Sporting Group! 

You can watch Andy's full examination here: 2017 BHDS: Labrador Retriever, Sporting Group

After Best of Breed Andy got a few hours to relax while I ran to the hair and makeup trailer. I had to get ready for the Red Carpet Reveal!

Later, Andy and I made our way back to the lounge. It was a secret hideaway filled with celebrities and very important people. As soon as we made our way back there Tara, Johnny, and the rest of the crew gave hugs and congratulations for our breed win. They were genuinely excited for us. After some primping from the incredible hair and makeup team, Andy and I were ready. We filmed our outfit reveal in a few takes. Andy gave lots of tail wags and enjoyed pats and scratches from the people in the lounge. 

Tara and Johnny told me what a great time they had at the show. They said they met some great people as well as some whacky ones. I let them know that is a pretty accurate depiction of the dog sports world. Truth be told, I think we're all a little whacky.


They wished us well and we went off to the Sporting Group which was the last of the night. We had been at the show for over 12 hours at this point. I was tired, but the excitement outweighed the exhaustion. Andy napped all day so he was ready for anything!

Andy showed so well in the group. I am so proud and honored that he got to represent the most popular breed in the USA at the Beverly Hills Dog Show.

 I want to give a big thank you to Mr. Frei, and Mr. O'Hurley for showcasing Andy as a veteran and therapy dog. The compliments on my outfit were nice, too!

Tara and Johnny, thank you from the bottom of my heart for the stellar outfit and best day of shopping.

Thank you to the Kennel Club of Beverly Hills for putting on such a star studded show.

Thank you to Bloomingdale's for letting us shop, and thank you to Maje, Ted Baker, and Via Spiga for my adorable outfit.

Kristen, Autumn, and the rest at NBC Sports and USA Network, thank you for making me look as cute as my dog and for a great experience. It was such a pleasure meeting all of you.

Mom, Dad, Megan, Adam, Daos, Blue Knight Labradors, Nancy, Alice, Carol and the rest of our wonderfully supportive and phenomenal dog community, thank you for your love and excitement. I am lucky to have grown up in the right with a village worth of mentors.

You can watch the entire Beverly Hills Dog Show at the link below. Our segment in full and the Sporting group start at about 01:07.
 http://www.usanetwork.com/beverlyhillsdogshow/videos/beverly-hills-dog-show-2017

I guess the only thing left to say is,

Pockets!

What is the OFA and Why is it Important?

Purebred or AKC Registered do not automatically equal health or quality.

 If you're looking to add a purebred puppy to your family, be sure that at least the sire (dad) and dam (mom) both have clearances in the OFA database. The pedigree of a puppy should have OFA clearances for many generations back in their pedigree. This is a measure responsible breeders will take to ensure health and quality.

"Vet checked/approved" does not replace hereditary health screenings.

The OFA is the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. The non-profit's mission statement is to, "promote the health and welfare of companion animals through a reduction in the incidence of genetic disease". They are the world's largest health test result database. A list of the laboratories OFA accepts DNA tests from can be found here: http://www.ofa.org/dna_labs.html 

The OFA is best known for their elbow and hip evaluations. These are done to detect dysplasia. An x-ray is taken by a skilled veterinarian and submitted to the OFA. The same picture is sent to 3 of the 24 board certified veterinary radiologists. This is done randomly and anonymously. The three separate professional opinions are taken and averaged to reach the final score. The score options are: excellent, good, fair, borderline, mild, moderate, and severe. Click here for a description of each.

To read about the impact genetic selection makes in breeding, check out this research article by PLOS: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0172918

The overall purpose of health clearances is to weed out genetic diseases through responsible breeding. Only dogs with passing tests should be bred. While nothing is a guarantee in life, purchasing a puppy with generations of proven good health is one of the best ways to be sure your new pet will be with you for as long as possible.
This is one of the reasons a well bred animal can be pricey. These tests are expensive and add up. 
Think of it this way: Would you rather purchase a dog for a low cost and end up spending thousands on preventable health issues down the road, or purchase a more expensive animal to significantly lessen the chance of expensive vet bills and heartbreak?

Top winning dogs in performance, field, and conformation have passing scores from the OFA. 
Some examples are:
"Rumor", German Shepard Dog- Best in Show Westminster 2017
"CJ", German Shorthaired Pointer - Best in Show Wesminster 2016

Animals that have test results in the OFA database will be traceable on the website. Be sure to look up the results yourself when researching a pedigree. 

Each breed has their own list of recommended genetic health screenings. To find out what tests your breed of choice should have, take a look at this page from the OFA website. 

https://www.ofa.org/breedtests.html?btnSearch=Tests+by+Breed


Follow the OFA's Facebook page for updates on your social media.

It is true that a dog's breed can make them more susceptible to certain health issues. It is also true that purebred dogs with generations of health clearances behind them will be significantly less likely to have these problems. Learn more about  CLEAR BY PARENTAGE. 

10 Tips for Junior Handlers

My childhood was enriched by showing in junior showmanship and my adulthood was shaped off of the lessons I learned through junior showmanship. I am eternally thankful for the junior handler program through the AKC.

When I was active in Juniors I qualified for Westminster and the Eukanuba Classic each year, but due to life outside of dog shows I never got a chance to go and compete. In 2004 I was the #1 Junior Handler for German Shorthaired Pointers in the USA. Now at 26 years old, I'm excited that I get to partake in Juniors once again by judging. 

I get misty eyed when I watch junior handlers now. It touches my heart to watch young individuals work so hard with their dog and partake in this hobby that creates a unique and wonderful bond with their pet. 

Through my years of handling, I have learned a few techniques that can really improve performance. Here are my top ten tips! 

This article is dedicated to Carol, Alice, Nancy, and my Mom for their love, support, and education in the dog world. I wouldn't be anything without you.

Eukanuba Classic Junior Showmanship with "Becky"
 CH Imagine-ation Runs Wild JH
2003? 2004?

1. Be Prepared and On Time

First thing is first! Make sure you are there and ready. 

Know your number before you go to pick it up from the ring steward. Entering the ring frazzled will cloud your head and distract you from your dog. 

Being on time means arriving for your class early with all of the ringside tools you might need. Make a checklist if you need to. What is the weather like? You might need the cool coat and spray bottle. Do you have enough bait? What about that squeaky toy? Once you get this down to a science your ring experience will be much more relaxed. 

2. Don't Look for Mom

Parents are great. They let you do this. They probably taught you how to show dogs in the first place. Go give your parents a big hug and say thank you.

I'm asking that you do this now because they can't save you when you're actually IN the ring. I see this mostly in the novice classes and it bums me out that these awesome little handlers aren't trusting themselves in the ring. 

If you're not feeling confident yet, watch the more advanced classes. Take notes and learn from your peers. Look for handling classes in your area! Many show catalogs will have a list.

From a judge's perspective, we notice when you're looking outside the ring. We notice when you get frustrated. Handling your dog is a special time you get to have with them so don't let outside interferences tarnish it. Getting upset and splitting your focus will make matters worse. The only person that can save your showmanship is you!

Parents... please let your children do their thing. Your confidence in your child will build confidence in them. If your child has fun, learns, wins, or loses, the entry was not wasted. Supportive critiques can be talked about after junior showmanship judging has come to a close. 

Trust yourself, junior handler! You have a wonderful companion at your side! You've got this.

3. Disappear

Junior showmanship is a special conformation class that judges how the handler shows their breed appropriately to the written standard. The conformation of the dog is not judged, but the correctness of their presentation by the junior handler is. One of the best pieces of advice I've ever received is to show your dog like you aren't even there. 

What does this mean? 

No unnecessary movements. Don't be waving your arm around with bait and switching positions around your stacked dog when they're standing like a perfect statue and don't require it. Demand attention to your dog, not you. Busy hands draw attention for the wrong reason. Clean, precise, and well thought out handling is a very advanced skill that should be rewarded.

I know how nerve racking juniors can be. Trust me. I know. Fidgeting might feel like you're showing how badly you want that win, but it is an even stronger skill to release that energy into enjoying the moment. I want to see you love and present your dog in a way that shows them in their best light. Getting up, kneeling back down, waving your arm around, and throwing bait does not do that when they're already holding a perfect stack. 

That being said, if your silly pooch is distracted or not listening, do what you need to do to get them to stack and move well. We can tell the difference and I know you can, too!

4. Smooth Movement

The way a handler moves their dog says a lot about their abilities. While we dive into this tip, keep my perspective on clean handling in mind. 

Get to know your dog. Do they need a little turn before the down and back or can you go straight from a stack into the movement pattern? 

Make sure you've adjusted their collar to being right up under their jaw. Some breeds/handlers prefer the lead to come off the top and some prefer the lead to come out from under the right side. Either is fine. 

Take your time. You don't need to rush into your movement pattern the second the judge instructs you. Take a breath, look at your dog, and get your lead held nice and neat. 

Make sure the dog is going straight out from the judge. They don't need to see your gait so show them your dog's. Line your dog up with the judge so they do not have to move to see them. When you get to the corner and turn, look at the judge to make sure your dog is lined back up (they may have moved to test you). It is okay to stop for a moment and take a breath to do this. 

Keep your dog on the mats if you are indoors! We want all humans and dogs to be safe. Wear shoes with good traction so if you need to run off the side of the mat to keep your dog safe, you won't slip either.

When moving, you have THREE places to look: where you're going, your dog, and the judge. Split your attention between these points. 

5. Be Polite

Junior Showmanship is about sportsmanship. YOU are the future of this sport. Think about the kind of community you want to compete in 20, 40 years down the line. Be a good example by being a gracious winner and loser. You can't win them all. I promise. Give your congratulations and look out for your fellow competitors. Use your "please" and "thank yous". Take care of each other and be supportive.

6. Be Aware

Safety is the top priority. While there are precautions in place to keep the show and the junior ring as safe as possible, you have the responsibility of being aware of your surroundings.

 Keep a close eye on your dog to make sure they aren't getting too close to another dog. Is another dog coming too close for comfort? You may not notice these things if you aren't paying attention.

 How fast is the dog in front of you going? If you need to move fast give that little dog in front of you plenty of room before you take off. 

What is on the ground in front of you? It might be a courteous gesture to move that left behind treat or stick out of the ring for the safety of you and your fellow competitors. 

7. Keep it Functional

When I try to explain to people why we dress up for dog shows, I use the parallel of dressing up to see a play. When you attend a live theatre production, you dress up as an audience member out of respect. You aren't the one on stage, you don't have anyone to impress, but your attire and effort commend the work of the performers and crew. 

As handlers, we aren't the ones being judged, our dogs are, but we still dress presentable for the occasion. As a junior handler, your handling is being judged. Please understand that you don't need to go out and buy an expensive outfit. The key to your outfit is that it needs to be functional. If your skirt is too long you run the risk of tripping. If your hair is in your face, it could be distracting. Do your shoes have enough traction? I will not judge you on your outfit. However, keep in mind that an outfit that is not functional or well prepared can impact your handling. 

8. It is Okay to Ask

Sometimes judges do not give clear instructions. Sometimes you just didn't quite hear them. Maybe your judge speaks a different language. 

It is okay to ask for your judge to repeat or clarify their instruction. However, this is all leaning on the understanding that the way you ask is everything! Trade out a "huh" or "what" for "I'm sorry. I did not hear you" or "Could you please repeat that?". It is better to ask and do it right than assume you understood and do it wrong.

If you have a special need, please inform the ring steward. If you are Deaf or hard of hearing, hopefully your judge will either use ASL or very clear gestures. If you need a special step stool or another piece of adaptive equipment, informing ahead of time will help the ring procedure run smoothly. These are not circumstances anyone should be embarrassed about. The dog fancy is for people of all walks of life and all abilities. I can only hope every judge and ring steward will be helpful to you.

9. Mistakes Happen

I've slipped on wet grass (multiple times in the same class), fell flat on my face in a gopher hole, had my shoe fly off and across the ring during my go around, and bumped heads with judges during examination (this happened in my junior days and actually happened last weekend, too). My very first show at 10 years old I went around the ring the wrong way. 

Here is the secret: It is all how you handle it. You're a handler, remember? From the days I made those mistakes, I still went BJH or won my class. 

Don't die of embarrassment! Keep going! When you fall (literally and/or figuratively) you have to get right back up again. Take a deep breath and refocus yourself. You're too great to let a little thing like that ruin your day.

Apologize if you bump heads, make sure your dog is okay if you slip and fall and then keep going (if you're not too hurt), and if your shoe flies across the ring keep going, do your free stack and then wait for the judge to say it is okay for you to go get your shoe (that's what I did at least).

10.  Smile

Okay. I know this one probably seems cheesy (no pun intended). I'll have you know that I won a few BJH with tough competition because I was the only one that smiled! I'm not talking about a fake synchronized swimmer smile. Show your judge that you love this sport and that you love your dog. A smile here and there won't hurt. Be genuine! 

It's a dog show. We are so privileged to have this experience with our animals.  Enjoy it! 

Michelle and her family's first dog "Morsel"
circa 1994