TIPS FROM FEELGOOD PETS PETALIVE – WE TALK ABOUT THINGS THAT CAN HELP YOUR SHOW DOG ACE IT ON THE BIG DAY!
When Show Day dawns it is a very big occasion for owners as well as their dogs! Although it is your dog that is on show, owners AND their dogs have to be at their best! Although there are many things to consider, there are three main areas to focus on in preparation for the day to make sure that your dog is at his best. Over the years at Feelgood Pets PetAlive, we have noticed that three subjects crop up every time when we talk with the owners of show dogs – anxiety, appearance and overall health and wellness.
ANXIETY
Because there is so much focus on Show Day, it is obvious that anxiety will rear its head – and we are not just talking about owners here! Like people, dogs can also become anxious when they are taken out of their ‘comfort zones’. Because anxiety can affect performance, it is very important to try and reduce it and help your dog to feel as calm and secure as possible on the special day. Here are some tips that may help:
A calm owner means a calm dog. As most owners know, dogs are easily affected by the mood and emotional status of their humans. After all, they know that you are their security and the one that makes everything right for them – so if you are OK, they also feel OK. Try to be well prepared for the day and have all your ducks in a row to prevent last minute stress and running around. Do not fuss too much and speak to your dog in a calm, reassuring voice. If something goes bottoms up at the last minute, try not to let your dog see you stressing. Being well prepared is your best defence against last minute nerves – yours and your dog’s!
A well socialised dog is a well prepared dog. In order to perform professionally at shows, dogs need to be very comfortable around people as well as other dogs. Ideally you would have taken your dog to puppy socialisation classes when she was younger. If you did not, all is not lost. Try to take your dog with you to lots of new places and expose her to new people and other pets. While doing so, practice giving her commands and taking her through her paces to help her to learn not to be distracted while in different environments.
A well trained dog AND a well prepared owner will enhance your chances of success on Show Day. While it is your dog that is on show, the way an owner conducts herself may make or break things on the big day. Well-seasoned owners who have attended many shows will attest to this fact! Prepare yourself and your dog by speaking to other owners and asking for tips. Attend as many shows as you can beforehand to familiarise yourself with the proceedings. Go online and search for tips (the internet can be a wealth of information!) and then PRACTISE, PRACTISE, PRACTISE!
APPEARANCE
Whether your dog is being judged on performance or appearance or both, appearance on the big day is very important. Of course, professional grooming to help your dog look his best on the day is a must - but a glossy coat, shiny eyes and bushy tail will only be achieved if your dog is in tip top condition and healthy – and good health starts long before you begin preparing for a show!
Diet: A healthy diet is the foundation for a healthy dog – no dog owner will dispute that! However, what exactly constitutes a healthy diet can be difficult to determine when manufacturers are trying to sell you their commercial dogfood! At Feelgood Pets PetAlive we recommend that you read the labels of pet food in the same way that you read the labels of food you purchase for the human members of your family. Avoid products containing added preservatives and food colouring, Investigate the benefits of a raw food diet or specially prepared dog foods and try to feed your dog food which is as close to nature as possible. At Feelgood Health, we love Vondi’s and Raw Active Doggobone (both available for the Feelgood Health Shop in Plumstead, Cape Town) Some olive oil added to your dog’s food daily will also help to ensure a glossy coat!
Exercise: When talking about a healthy dog, diet and regular exercise go hand in hand! Daily fresh air and exercise take time and commitment from owners, but the benefits will be felt by both dogs and their owners and will give your dog the advantage on show day.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
A healthy diet and regular exercise will help your dog to stay strong and well – you definitely don’t need a runny tummy or other infection on show day! Also remember that shows can expose your dog to disease causing bugs and it is important to make sure that all essential vaccinations are up to date and that your dog’s immune system is strong. Apart from a healthy lifestyle, natural remedies can also help to strengthen animal immune systems and protect against unwanted illnesses – the last thing you want for your dog at any time, but especially at Show Time!
NATURAL REMEDIES
Feelgood Pets PetAlive specialises in natural remedies for pets. We have a very wide range but the most popular for show dogs are:
PetCalm – This homeopathic remedy comes in an easy to administer granule formula – which is simply sprinkled into your dog’s mouth where it will dissolve easily. It helps to calm your dog without causing drowsiness or loss of performance. We have a calming remedy for you as well in our human range! If you tend to become anxious on Show Day, our herbal PureCalm Drops can make all the difference!
Skin & Coat Tonic – This herbal formula contains ingredients especially chosen for their beneficial effect on the skin and coat, helping to reduce skin problems as well as ensure a healthy skin and full shining coat – a must for any dog, but especially for those needing to look their best!
Immunity & Liver Support – This immune tonic helps to strengthen your dog’s immune system and keep him in tip top condition, while protecting against infection. It can also be used as a recovery tonic to assist animals who have been ill.
Performance Plus – This herbal remedy is very popular amongst owners of show dogs as well as for any animal who has to be functioning well mentally as well as physically (for example police dogs). Performance Plus helps to support concentration and focus, to enhance the effects of training and keep your dog ‘on task’ when it is most important.
At Feelgood Pets PetAlive we have a wide range of natural remedies for pets and a dedicated help and support service if you need advice. Visit our Cape Town shop at 8 Gabriel Rd, Plumstead, phone us at 021 7970193 or find us online at – we ship all over South Africa!