There’s no business like show business, but dog shows can come close. Ever think you might like to become involved with showing dogs? If your answer is yes, then we suggest you start with small dogs, popularly known as “toy” dogs, as they are easier to maintain and easier to keep around at home than larger breeds.

When dogs of a certain breed enter a dog show, they would be judged by a pre-established standard that would define their eventual success. The winners, or Best of Breed dogs, then compete against each other for Best in Group within one of the seven basic groups to which their breed has been assigned (the Herding Group, Hound Group, Non-Sporting Group, Sporting Group, Terrier Group, Toy Group or Working Group). The winner of each group then goes on to compete for the coveted Best In Show title and hopefully, earn more points toward a Championship.

Since you are most likely new to the dazzling world of dog shows, here are some reasons why small dogs are a better choice than larger dogs.

Ease Of Maintenance

First of all, smaller dogs usually are easier to groom and give a bath to before the show begins. At first, you may think “hey, I’ve got all the time in the world to prepare”, but you’ll notice the difference once you’re a veteran of several shows. Small show dogs can easily be carried in and out of a tub, and you won’t need as much soap, conditioner and water as you would for a big dog. Less dog = less hair – this maxim applies in all small show dogs except long coats. So why groom a Standard Poodle show dog when you can spend the same amount of time taking care of five or six toy-sized show dogs?

Git Along, Little Doggies

The second reason would be because small dogs take up less space, allowing you to breed more dogs for show purposes. You will have to buy a small crate for each small show dog to travel in, but these crates are easy to handle and store. A grooming table would be needed to take care of small show dogs, but they are large enough to accommodate more than one dog – provided they don’t pick on each other.

Easy Does It

The third factor is, showing small dogs requires less physicality on the part of the person handling them. You won’t see too many handlers running out of breath as they try to follow a small show dog. A large dog has much longer limbs, naturally, and would make bigger strides, often making it hard for a handler to keep up with it, unlike small dogs, where all the handler usually has to do is match the dog’s pace. Of course, smaller dogs are easier to set up for viewing, as you wouldn’t have to go through the physical effort of setting up a larger, heavier dog.

As you can see, showing small dogs enjoys a bit of an advantage over showing large dogs. As a result, you may find that showing small dogs makes a very rewarding start to a downright addictive hobby that you and your mini champ can enjoy together for years.

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If you’re reading this, you’re a dog owner, and if you scroll down, then you are most likely interested in hiring a professional dog trainer. A professional dog trainer can make the life of living with your not so pleasant dog better. Don’t get us wrong – dogs are man’s best friend, but they have bad habits that can sometimes be gross even to merely think about. In other words, having your dog trained can be the right solution to your problems. People hire professionals to do this on a daily basis. Every day of the year, someone is looking for a trainer for their dog. The dogs can’t help it, to paraphrase Fergie, even if they may get on your nerves while at it.

A professional dog trainer will break your loving pet of those bad habits. And even if these habits are as gross as they often seem to be, hiring a professional trainer can help you and your dog coexist in harmony like you should. And you should only expect nothing less than professional service from the pros, when it comes to training your pet.

Be forthright with the professional trainer you hire and let him or her know every one of your dog’s mischievous or disgusting behaviors. You will end up a satisfied customer with a well-behaved and contented dog if you explain everything thoroughly to the trainer of your choice.

It can be surprisingly easy to find a professional dog trainer. Do you take your dog to the local dog park? If you see an owner with an especially behaved dog, ask them some interview questions on the spot. First, ask them who they hired as a dog trainer, and ask other relevant questions that could lead you to a decision.

Not only can you feel more reassured about the fact that you’ve got a problem dog, you may realize that breaking their habits is possible. And when those bad habits are broken, it will be your turn to be interviewed by other owners, as they ask you who you got as a dog trainer.

When choosing a professional dog trainer, you may sometimes encounter some difficulty. Try talking to all of the trainers you are interested in. Take them over to meet your dog and see how each party would react to each other. After all, you will want to get a trainer your dog will be comfortable with, because they will be spending a lot of time together.

Author bio: Darlene Barton is a freelance writer and researcher on health and nutrition. Check this calorie chart for a list of healthy foods with maximum nutrition and minimum calories. Learn how to lower cholesterol naturally and protect your health.

Knowing how to potty train a dog is one of the most important skills for a new dog owner. Even if you have had dogs before, it is useful to get a few extra tips. If you just got your first dog, then you would surely want to know all you can about potty training so your pet won’t be causing you clean up his little bombs.

Puppies are easier to potty train but the same concept is used to train adult dogs. Most adult dogs have been house trained but they often have accidents when they first arrive in a new home because of excitement or stress. You potty train your adult dog as you would a puppy.

First, you should decide what reward you will give your dog when she accomplishes something. To avoid confusing the dog, it is best if this will be a reward that you can use right through all of her training.

Food should not be your number one option as a prize for your pet. It’s better for a dog who’s under potty training to eat at a strict schedule. You’ll have a harder time predicting when your dog will go potty if you keep giving her little snacks. It is usually better to reward her with approving words, petting and play.

Once you’ve decided on a reward, you have to learn how to predict when your dog will pee or poop. Your dog will usually poop or pee after he wakes up, after mealtimes, during or while playing or exercise, and when she is excited or stressed.

If you look closely enough, you’ll find that dogs tend to do something just before relieving themselves. It could be the act of heading towards a certain place or circling around and sniffing the floor.

When your dog gives off these telltale signs, you can take her outside to do her business. You shouldn’t let her mess just anywhere outdoors but keep her on a leash and guide her to her “bathroom’ area. You could use a place that she previously used herself. Wait until she’s done.

If there is no poop or pee, just take her back to the house. If your dog has not done what she was supposed to, then don’t give her a reward.

But if she did make a mess outside, the give her a reward and maybe play with her for a little while. Don’t wait until you are back in the house for the reward – it must be immediate if she is to understand that it relates to her potty behaviour.

There is one more thing to remember when you are figuring out how to potty train a dog. You shouldn’t punish your dog if they make a mess in the house. Puppies or sick dogs can’t really control themselves and punishing them will only cause fear.

If she thinks she will be punished for messing in the house, she will not stop, she will just try to hide it from you. So you will have a harder time potty training her because your dog will hide from you when she has to poop or pee, and you’ll have a house full of hidden messes. Instead, focus on rewarding the right behaviour. That is how to potty train a dog easily.

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