How to Train a Golden Retriever for Shows

Imagine standing in a line up with six other Golden Retrievers. The judge methodically walks up and down the line of dogs, evaluating structure, coat, and temperament, thinking about his options. He indicates for your pup and another dog to make a circle around the ring once more. He studies the two dog's movements as they strut around the ring. Your dog is graceful, strong, and elegant. You rejoin the group. The judge scratches his chin once more while making his final decision, then he begins to point, indicating his choices. You hold your breath, and in a heart-stopping second, he sends you and your dog to the front of the line up of dogs. You have just won Best of Breed! 

Such a scene is what every dog show handler dreams of: winning, earning titles, beating the competition, climbing up in the breed rankings. Showing a dog can be a lot of fun. There is a lot of pride in showing a great representative of a particular breed. There is often great camaraderie among the handlers, who understand and appreciate the hard work and dedication that goes it breeding, raising, training, and showing great dogs. Many dogs feed off of all of the attention and treats that they get in the ring, and they thrive in such an environment.  

Whether you are just getting started with conformation, have just brought home a new puppy that you expect to show in the future, or are simply looking to improve your current show dog's chances, winning a show is not just about successful breeding. Although that is a large part of it, it is also about training and preparation. While selecting the right dog is the first essential step in competing and winning, great training will help you go all the way with your pup.

Preparing your pup for conformation shows is very important. Not only will it increase your chances of winning, but for your dog it will also decrease or entirely eliminate the stress of being in a busy ring, around lots of people, being handled by an unfamiliar person. For you, it can eliminate the stress and embarrassment of being pulled halfway across the show ring when your pup sees a cute female Golden on the far side of the ring.

The easiest time to work on getting your pup used to being handled is when he is still a puppy. If your dog is well past that point, spend lots of extra time gently working on touching him while giving him treats. If he seems uncomfortable with being touched, then use treats that are especially exciting, such as real chicken. If your dog has ever shown any form of aggression, do not use 'The Touch Method' on your own. Find a good trainer in your area to help you. Do not corner your dog or force him to be touched. Instead, use your treats and praise to encourage him over to you. Go slowly with him if he seems unsure.

If you know anyone else who shows their dog, then you can create your own dog show training class, where you can both practice handling each other's dog, walking your dog with the distraction of another dog, and standing for an examination from another person. Doing this with one friend and her dog is good, but doing this with even more people and dogs is even better. If you have multiple dog show friends, then recruit several. Another great option is to find a class at your local dog club, that focuses on preparation for the ring. If you cannot mimic the surroundings of a dog show yourself or find a class in your area, or if you just want more practice, then you can take your dog to spacious public areas, such as parks, and practice your dog's skills around other people and animals there. The more things that you can do to prepare your dog for the distractions of the show ring, the more likely he is to remember his training on show day.

To get started you will need lots of small, tasty treats. The treats should be something that is quick and easy for your dog to eat. Freeze dried meat, real chicken, or other small, soft treats should work well for this. If you are using 'The Touch Method' then once Fido is comfortable being touched by you, you will also need assistants to help you desensitize Fido to being touched by other people. The more volunteers that you can recruit for this, one person at a time, the better the result will likely be. 

If you are using 'The Stand Method' then the training will go faster if you pup already knows the 'down', 'sit', and 'OK' or 'free' commands. If you are using 'The Walk Method' then you will need a small Ziploc bag to put your treats into, and a pocket or treat pouch to hold the bag. You will also need a thin, slip lead type leash--the type that is typically used in show rings. You will also need a resource for viewing proper Golden Retriever movement in the ring, such as online videos or live attendance at a dog show. Finally, you will need a location where you can practice walking your pup in the presence of other people and dogs, such as a class setting, a public park, or your own self-created class, put on by you and other dog show friends. With all of the methods, you will need a positive and encouraging attitude to keep your dog happy, confident, and excited about training and showing.