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PHMowgli: Welcome to Show Dog chat tonight's topic is "Motivating the Hard-To Motivate dog in the Show Ring"

PHChristy: First I want to define what *I* mean by a "hard to motivate" dog

PHChristy: any dog who cares about food is by definition not hard to motivate LOL

PHMorgan: I had one I had to sing the ABC's song to in the ring

PHMowgli: Ok I want to start chat of course with brags!!!!!!!!!

Bert_nr: Tally eats well but would not even TAKE food in the ring

PHMowgli: so anyone have a brag to share?

Bert_nr: Night all

Bert_nr: Not me I haven't been anywhere

PHMowgli: nite bert

PHMowgli: Ok I have a brag LOL

harvbeck: a bullmastiff named TORI got his MACH this week. pretty good huh.?!

Bert_nr: I wasn't leaving

Bert_nr: OH !! Tally, the aforementioned, acutally Q in Jumpers at a match 14 classes total

PHMowgli: Merlin my 7mth old boy went to Canda

Bert_nr: Oh oh I think we lost her

PHChristy: sorry!

PHChristy: I had a call from my electrician

PHChristy: OK.... so.... harv, what is a MACH?

PHChristy: Hi Clover! Welcome!The topic in Showdog Chat tonight is "Motivating the Hard-to-Motivate Dog in the Show Ring"

harvbeck: very high in obedience and agility. I beleive that he is the first ever to make it

PHChristy: What I find with dogs who don't care about food.... it's hard to keep their interest up

PHChristy: Hi there HedgeMom! The topic in Showdog Chat tonight is "Motivating the Hard-to-Motivate Dog in the Show Ring"

PHChristy: Mow! WB

PHMowgli: wow my brag lost all its power LOL

PHMowgli: Welcome to Show Dog chat tonights topic is "Motivating the Hard-To Motivate dog in the Show Ring"

PHChristy: that's is great, harv, very inspirational!

PHMowgli: Ok let me try that again LOL

PHChristy: so when food is off the table..... it seems you're left with YOU and your voice and body language

PHMowgli: My 7 mth old boy went to Canada this weekend and got his first herding title in a 3 day show and sunday he took high in trial

PHChristy: I find there are two basic enemies of animation int he show ring.... nerves and boredom

PHChristy: MY nerves, THEIR boredom, LOL

PHChristy: Mow, congrats!

PHChristy: if I'm nervous, my dog can get very subdued

PHMowgli: thanks

HedgeMom: Excellent Mowgli

PHChristy: but also, if they are bored, they show it

PHMowgli: Christy I agree I have to chew gum LOL

PHChristy: they dont' care about food

PHChristy: LOL Mow

PHChristy: they might care about a squeaky toy once, but that's it

PHMowgli: to keep me calm which keeps my dogs calm but not bored LOL

PHChristy: deerhounds aren't what you call sparkling showers at their best

HedgeMom: Often, novices make the mistake of overstimulating their dog.

PHChristy: HedgeMom, that is SO true!

PHMowgli: yes or the dogs shows no animation at all

HedgeMom: Trying to make a moderate energy dog a high energy dog.

PHChristy: although I'd rather see a dog with "happy feet" jumping and chewing on his leash, then a bored dog

PHChristy: but I agree, so often you have these dogs all over the place, and the handler is acting all animated and upbeat, and making it worse

Bert_nr: The only food I found that turned Tally on was fresh cooked bacon....... the real stuff and late in his career

PHMowgli: I like to see a dog who is enjoying the show

HedgeMom: What breed are we talking about specifically? A Mastiff jumping and chewing on his lead is a dangerous animal in a show ring. : )

PHMowgli: LOL

PHChristy: Bert, I swear, there simply IS no food a deeerhound will reliably bait for

PHChristy: ROFL Hedge, Scottish Deerhounds

HedgeMom: Ah. Not quite as dangerous.

PHChristy: I don't mind seeing a deerhound who is having fun in the ring, but you can't judge that dog

PHMowgli: Christy I have found my guys as I never let them miss a meal are not food motivated either

PHMowgli: Welcome to Show Dog chat tonights topic is "Motivating the Hard-To Motivate dog in the Show Ring"

PHChristy: welcome back clover!

PHMowgli: hi clover

PHChristy: HedgeMom, don't Mastiff pups get "happy feet" in the ring, though?

HedgeMom: Nope. they go to sleep.

PHMowgli: harv don't you have bull mastiffs?

PHChristy: I've had veterans get happy feet, they get so happy they run and jump and snatch the leash

Bert_nr: A friend that has Labs took Tally in once and was angry with otherS Sam exhibitors because their dogs were barking and bouncing

PHChristy: I wish I could have them have that joy combined with actually showing

harvbeck: yes

PHChristy: I have no idea how

PHMowgli: wow two mastiff people tonight neat

PHMowgli: Welcome to Show Dog chat tonights topic is "Motivating the Hard-To Motivate dog in the Show Ring"

PHChristy: a Sammy bouncing, who could ever imagine THAT? LOL

clover_nr: Hi everyone.

PHChristy: Hi there Mara!

PHMowgli: WElcome mara

HedgeMom: DeeDee Andrews, Storm Mastiffs, had a male that would stand on her handlers shoulders. Scary.

PHChristy: LOL HedgeMom

PHChristy: deerhounds do that all the time

PHMowgli: shelties don't LOL

PHMowgli: they are typically afraid of heights LOL

PHChristy: I find specialties are the most boring for the dogs, as they are so much longer in the ring

PHMowgli: Christy I have found benched shows to be hardest on dogs

PHChristy: an all breed show is usually pretty fast, sometimes you can keep them interested long enough to smile pretty for the judge

PHChristy: Mow, absolutely

Bert_nr: Is that ever the truth

PHMowgli: and owners and handlers LOL

PHChristy: so, what tricks do some of you use to motivate these kinds of dogs?

PHChristy: don't make me beg

PHMowgli: well I myself like to play a game with my dogs

PHMowgli: not a run and jump and chase game more a mental game

PHChristy: clover! welcome back again

PHMowgli: Welcome to Show Dog chat tonights topic is "Motivating the Hard-To Motivate dog in the Show Ring"

PHMowgli: WB

PHChristy: : : : : : : : : spraying crazy glue on clover's seat: : : : : : : : : :

Bert_nr: Do you know that song Dayo?

PHChristy: Mowgli, say more about that?

HedgeMom: Depends on the dog. No training two weeks before a show. Squeak toys, cellophane in your pocket, cat kibble. Unwrap hard candies.

PHChristy: Yes, Day o Day o, Daylight come and I want to go home

clover_nr: argh! computers!!!! If I don't touch the wrong key again, I'll stay for awhile....

PHMowgli: I like to try to make things fun for them by giving htem extra attention of course and I also usually use a toy to play find it or some other simple little game like that

HedgeMom: Swapping dogs with a friend.

PHMowgli: as I have found my dogs really thrive on loud obnoxious praise LOL

PHChristy: somehow I want to make them have FUN without triggering them to jump and play

Bert_nr: That's Tally mons song........ it gets his attention

PHChristy: Bert, I had a silly poem for my dog Lillie, it was incredibly embarrassing to say in public, though, LOL

PHMowgli: so when I get all exicted and say Good Boy/!!!!!!! and clap and act the fool they are ready to show

PHChristy: Mowgli, if I do that, mine get TOO excited

PHChristy: and they try to gallop in the show ring

PHMowgli: h aha Bert you know the cops theme song bad boys we sang that for Rueger LOL

Bert_nr: Okay Christy spill it...........

PHChristy: which in addition to being a problem for the judge can be somewhat dangerous to me, LOL

PHChristy: Silly Lillie Billy Goat

PHMowgli: yeah but my guys are little LOL

PHChristy: In her Silly Lillie Coat

PHChristy: Went swimming in her Lillie Moat

PHChristy: but soon found out she didn't float

PHChristy: so we had to get a Lillie boat

PHChristy: for Silly Lillie Billy Goat

PHChristy: the end

PHChristy: ROFL

Bert_nr: LOL

PHChristy: some of us are seriously insane

PHMowgli: ok that cleared that up like mudd in a storm LOL

PHChristy: and I AM editing that out of the log, ROFL

HedgeMom: *makes blackmail notes*

PHChristy: LOL HedgeMom, have mercy on me!

PHMowgli: ha I am taking a copy of transcripts LOL

Bert_nr: copying copying

HedgeMom: Nooo.... I may have to show against you one day. ;)

PHMowgli: to hold over Christy's head for yrs and yrs

PHChristy: LOL

clover_nr: Hmm, seriously insane. I could be in the right hobby!!!

PHChristy: she loved that little poem

PHChristy: ROFL clover, all too true!

PHChristy: let me tell you how the "billy goat" thing happened....

PHChristy: I was in the parking lot of a market once

PHMowgli: Christy you are safe I will never compete against you unless it is best in show and on that note I will wind your dog like a top LOL

PHChristy: and ran in to buy something and Lillie and another deerhound were in the car

Bert_nr: My dogs think I'm insane laughting at a computer

PHChristy: and when I came out, a little girl saw my dogs and said.... "Oh look mom, GOATS!"

PHMowgli: LOL

PHChristy: and then the little girl grew up to be a dog show judge

PHChristy: LOL

PHMowgli: yeah Christy I see the resemblance LOL

Bert_nr: Rofl

HedgeMom: I think I've shown under her...

clover_nr: LOL

PHChristy: I think we all have

PHMowgli: me too hedge

PHChristy: LOL

PHChristy: If the dogs go over the edge into total boredom, nothing gets them "on" again

PHChristy: I am speaking of MY dogs

PHChristy: so I have to try to keep them from being bored

PHChristy: but they find animation boring after a while. It's a very difficult balance.

PHChristy: I really do think Deerhounds are somewhat hard to show.

PHChristy: I don't THINK I'm just incredibly inept, but it's possible.

PHChristy: WB Rueger, and bert... what happened???

bert_nr: got kicked out

Rueger: so did mowgli LOL

clover_nr: I think my little scotties can be hard to show, too! So many times they get an attitude - very hard to overcome.

bert_nr: What did we do what did we do

PHChristy: clover, how do they show that?

HedgeMom2_nr: Ok, this is NOT fun.

PHChristy: wow, what happened???

HedgeMom2_nr: Haven't a clue.

bert_nr: We're all going to go home mad in a minute

PHMowgli: whew why are we all being kicked out

PHChristy: oh no!

PHChristy: WB HedgeMom!

PHMowgli: Welcome to Show Dog chat tonights topic is "Motivating the Hard-To Motivate dog in the Show Ring"

HedgeMom: Thanks.

PHChristy: we lost harvbeck and clover and Mara now

clover_nr: The attitude? They will fold their ears closed and hold their ears to the side like little donkeys.

HedgeMom: How odd.

PHMowgli: don't anyone go away mad honest we are not doing it LOL

PHChristy: LOL clover

PHChristy: I thought we lost you too!

HedgeMom: No, it's a hitch in the gittyup

clover_nr: Not this time!

PHMowgli: yes it keep redirecting eveyone for some odd reason

clover_nr: I'm glad I'm not the only one with a hitch - I couldn't figure out why it was kicking me out.

PHChristy: looks like the reptile room is empty... it's NEVER empty

PHChristy: clover, what can you do when a Scottie gets like that?

HedgeMom: *smacks the chat software*

PHMowgli: but lets try to stick ot the topic although it will be hard with us all popping in and out LOL

bert_nr: LOL got rid of them too?

clover_nr: Go to a nice restaurant afterwards and moan with your friends...

PHChristy: ROFL clover

PHMowgli: clover oh that is common for all breeds LOL

bert_nr: With Sams you need the tail and the ears up. Not always easy

PHMowgli: Welcome to Show Dog chat tonights topic is "Motivating the Hard-To Motivate dog in the Show Ring"

PHChristy: Hi there Mildred!

PHMowgli: with shelties they need to show animation and have expression in face

clover_nr: Some scotties are very food motivated. My newest girl is, but my first showgirl was very moody and I never found a reliable trick with her.

PHMowgli: and use ears to show expression LOL

Mildred_nr: Hello. I have IGs

PHMowgli: hi mildred that ia great

PHMowgli: is*

PHMowgli: I have poor typing skills

PHChristy: Mildred, that's great! Do you find they need a lot of motivation in the show ring, or are they pretty easy to keep animated?

bert_nr: The pup I have now will bounce off me if I have a "high value" food and dont' hand it over quickly enough

clover_nr: Scotties need ears and tail up, too. Standard requires they show "proper attitude"

PHChristy: LOL bert

PHChristy: all I require is my deerhound not actually force me to drag them around

bert_nr: Yes Mowgli you do LOL

PHMowgli: bert what food are high value to her?

PHChristy: and not drag ME either, LOL

PHMowgli: I know popcorn has worked with some of my dogs

PHMowgli: beef jerky is a good one too

bert_nr: At this point anything except dehydrated hotdogs

PHMowgli: not exactly the best diet for a dog to be on though LOL

PHChristy: even foods they love don't work with my dogs

PHChristy: in the ring or in a class

bert_nr: His mother LOVED mini marshmallows

PHChristy: I've used EVERYTHING

PHChristy: don't tell anyone, but I've used smoked salmon, LOL

PHChristy: cookies, biscuits, cheese, meat

PHMowgli: some of mine are same way christy and I have to purr at them

PHChristy: Hello dl_pap!

PHMowgli: Welcome to Show Dog chat tonights topic is "Motivating the Hard-To Motivate dog in the Show Ring"

dl_pap: hi

clover_nr: My dogs always worship at the House of Liver

Mildred_nr: It is not so much animation as it is "getting ears" for the judge after the down & back.

bert_nr: I had a freezer burned steak that I sliced and dried in my oven and that drove him CRAZY

PHChristy: at home they act like they are just DYING for the food, in the ring or class they just look at it like it's a rock

PHMowgli: you know that purring sound by roilling your tongue on the roof of your mouth

Mildred_nr: Or standing for exam on the table

PHMowgli: Welcome to Show Dog chat tonights topic is "Motivating the Hard-To Motivate dog in the Show Ring"

PHChristy: Mildred.... any tips and tricks to share?

PHChristy: Mernie, hi there!

PHMowgli: hi mernie

Mernie_nr: Hi, How's everyone!

PHChristy: I think of ears as being part of what I mean by "animation"

PHMowgli: Welcome to Show Dog chat tonights topic is "Motivating the Hard-To Motivate dog in the Show Ring"

PHChristy: welcome back harv!

PHMowgli: WB harv

PHChristy: Mernie, doing really well here!

PHChristy: how about you?

Mildred_nr: For some judges it is No Ears no Ribbon

PHMowgli: yes mildred

PHChristy: I like to see a deerhound work their ears, but it's not something I think about.

bert_nr: Right

Mildred_nr: IGs are sighthounds so we usually toss something to get their attention

PHMowgli: oh that is one trick I forgot about LOL

PHChristy: Mildred, does that work consistently, or just with some dogs?

PHChristy: I have tried that during show photos, but it only works once or twice then they find it boring, LOL

PHMowgli: I have an old rabbit skin and many of my dogs will bait for a piece of that

PHChristy: and I have not figured out how to get a deer to run across the show ring at just the right moment

Mernie_nr: I find that making my own bait from scratch gets a better reaction in the ring than the bought kind.

Mildred_nr: It works pretty well if you switch off the item that gets tossed so they don't get too used to it. Some people toss bait...

HedgeMom: I HATE that

bert_nr: Try a goat they behave much the same..... LOL

PHMowgli: Christy could you use a piece of deerskin or rabbit fur or something like that

Mernie_nr: I thought that tossing bait was not allowed in the ring

PHChristy: Mernie, it is

HedgeMom: There is NOTHING worse than trying to drag a juvenile Mastiff around a ring who is too busy vaccuuming

Mildred_nr: I see it done all the time

bert_nr: Which some judges it will get you no ribbon

PHChristy: yes, and all handlers should PICK UP what they tossed, but they don't always

Mildred_nr: It is a problem, the bait tossing.... some nice people actually pick it up

PHMowgli: Mernie many judges do not like food bait tossed but I am also talking fur not food

PHChristy: if I were the steward I'd make them

bert_nr: Others don't seem to care

Mernie_nr: I have a male malamute that won't run in the ring, everywhere else but in the ring. Any suggestions?

PHMowgli: me too Christy I had many a dog lunge at others bait and who knows where that stuff has been LOL

PHMowgli: Welcome to Show Dog chat tonights topic is "Motivating the Hard-To Motivate dog in the Show Ring"

PHChristy: hi there whitegold!

PHMowgli: hi whitegold!!!!!!

whitegold_nr: hi all

Mernie_nr: Hi whitegold!

PHChristy: Mernie, will he trot for you outside of the ring, but on leash?

PHChristy: or will he only trot when he's offleash?

Mildred_nr: I was yelled at for running in the ring by one judge...very humiliating

Mernie_nr: Yes

PHMowgli: ok so to sum up so far we have food, songs, games, fur or skins, squeekers, did I miss anything LOL

HedgeMom: Cellophane in the pocket.

PHChristy: Mernie, does he just move too slowly? or does he not move at all?

PHChristy: for a dog who moves to slowly, which I find very common in deerhounds, if I make my movements very graceful and smooth, and DO NOT LOOK AT THE DOG as we move out, they will usually pick up a nice pace

Mernie_nr: He moves too slowly, does the puppy shuffle and he's 5 years old

PHChristy: keep your arm down and your lead loose

HedgeMom: Not looking at the do g is KEY

PHMowgli: Mernie how about if you are just slightly in front of him will he move then?

PHChristy: even if you have to slow your steps to a crawl, keep your stride long and low to the ground

PHChristy: YOU need to float

HedgeMom: if you look at them you slow down to accomodate and then the dog slows down

PHChristy: Hedge, absolutely

Mildred_nr: Same thing with a horse...don't look back

PHChristy: I think that twisting your body to look at the dog is the number one handler fault

PHChristy: right

PHMowgli: I agree Christy

HedgeMom: Just look forward and go. The dog will follow.

PHMowgli: Welcome to Show Dog chat tonights topic is "Motivating the Hard-To Motivate dog in the Show Ring"

PHChristy: Hi again Mara!

PHMowgli: WB mara

Mernie_nr: I haven't tried that, but that make him look like he's slow anyway?

Mara_nr: hi

PHChristy: Mernie... no

Mara_nr: I went away a couple of minutes and got bumped

PHChristy: sometimes it makes the dog go faster, but NOTHING makes the dog look slower than you dragging them!

PHChristy: Mara, yes, several folks did!

PHChristy: we're sorry!

PHChristy: and some dogs resist being dragged, so slowing down and having a loose lead will prevent that

PHMowgli: Christy did it to us all Mara LOL

PHChristy: you need to have a very relaxed body, relaxed arm, relaxed lead

Mernie_nr: I think you're right there!

Mara_nr: I've been helping to show a grand dog that has one speed

PHMowgli: loose leads are a big key too

PHChristy: keep your arm DOWN

HedgeMom: George Austin (sp) used to teach the best handling gate for handlers. You looked like you were running at break neck speed yet you weren't moving any faster than a walk.

Mildred_nr: How do you get a dog to stand for examination on a table. My bitch needs one more Major and has decided not to stand\

PHChristy: Hedge, yes, that's exactly it!

PHMowgli: if you are too tight on the lead the dog is nervous and often afraid to move

PHChristy: you can LOOK like you're really moving out but not be going fast at all

whitegold_nr: I use stilts for training my dogs to stand

PHChristy: I mean you, the handler

PHMowgli: Mildred that I can give you a trick for LOL

Mara_nr: I've tried loose lead, food in face but she gets slower and slower

PHChristy: and if you are floating around, the dog will be more likely to be floating around

Mildred_nr: Good I because I need help

PHMowgli: we start our dogs standing on upside down tuna cans on the table

Mildred_nr: Tried that

Mara_nr: we have tired different handlers as well

PHChristy: whitegold, stilts?

PHMowgli: that way if they step forward or back they step off

Mernie_nr: I've seen cases with stilts that you can teach a dog how to stand

Mildred_nr: She stands fine at home and at the hotel and everywhere else but for the judge

PHChristy: Mildred, what exactly is she doing when you say she won't stand? just moving around?

whitegold_nr: yes, they are called Happy Legs and they are WONDERFUL

PHMowgli: Ok so only in the ring and what does she do?

Mildred_nr: Backing up, twisting sideways, picking up her legs

PHChristy: she feels threatened for some reason, maybe?

PHMowgli: ok during exam?

whitegold_nr: you can have a dog standing and not movning a muscle in a couple of days

Mildred_nr: Yes, on the table

PHMowgli: so she is moving away from judge

PHChristy: are you possibly tensing up?

PHChristy: and conveying nervousness to her through the leash or your arm?

HedgeMom: Accidently trying to adjust by pulling the lead forward?

Mildred_nr: Yes, away from the judge. Doesn't matter if man or woman

PHChristy: whitegold, do you mean literally STILTS?

whitegold_nr: yes

Mernie_nr: Got another one for you, my new female jumps when she meets people,(I haven't entered her for this reason).

PHMowgli: no way would my dogs go for that LOL

whitegold_nr: they are about 6 inches high

Mildred_nr: I

Mildred_nr: I

PHChristy: I have no idea how that would work, my dogs were born with their own natural stilts, LOL

HedgeMom: Grooming stilts. You use them for Bichon and Poodles and breeds that need leg grooming all the way to the ground.

PHChristy: well, you learn something new every day!

Mildred_nr: I've seen the stilts... I tried them at my friends. She will stand quietly anywhere else but on the exam table in the ring

PHMowgli: I know LOL

PHChristy: Mildred, so you need to figure out what's different in the ring from all those other times

PHMowgli: Mildred is it with all judges?

Mildred_nr: it is the judge

PHMowgli: or particular judges?

Mernie_nr: I can't bait her, she gets too excited!

Mildred_nr: Right now it is all judges

whitegold_nr: after 10 min on the stilts, they will stand quietly wagging their tails on the ground

PHChristy: Mernie, there are worse problems to have LOL

PHChristy: Mildred, try taking her to some handling classes, maybe?

HedgeMom: Can you get someone else to handle her and see if she does it with them?

whitegold_nr: if they move, you put them back up onthe stilts

PHMowgli: ok thought maybe we can say she just likes men too much or something LOL

PHChristy: see if she does it there

PHChristy: OK, let me ask, is this stilt method generally considered a bit on the extreme side, or is it common?

PHMowgli: Mildred have you tried a match?

whitegold_nr: it's very commom

Mildred_nr: My friend took her in and she was better but not great.....

whitegold_nr: all the top handlers use them

PHMowgli: since they have judges I am wondering if she does it at matches too

Mildred_nr: Yes, We have several match Group 1s

PHMowgli: cause if not it may be she is sensing something

Mildred_nr: She even has a Group 3 placement from the classes

PHMowgli: so obviously this is something new she is doing

Mildred_nr: Yes, and it is driving me crazy

PHChristy: Mildred, for some reason she is having a different experience at shows. I think you are going to have to really do some detective work to understand what this is from her point of view

Mildred_nr: I may have to put her with a handler

PHChristy: do you think it's something you're doing?

whitegold_nr: am I allowed to post a link here or give out a web addy? I am in no way afflitated with the company, they just work.

PHMowgli: are you by chance getting excieted as she getscloser to finishing?

PHMowgli: yes whitegold

HedgeMom: Mowgli, I agree.

whitegold_nr: www.happylegs.com

HedgeMom: It's a very good possibility you're transfering your nervousness to her.

PHChristy: that is my thought too HedgeMom

Mildred_nr: I first thought it was because she was coming into season... but she has been out a while now and it is still the same

PHMowgli: I know it is hard to contain ourselves as our dogs get closer and closer and of course we enter shows with the hopes we will win

whitegold_nr: I start my pups at 8 weeks old on the stilts.

PHMowgli: that is why I chew gum LOL

Mernie_nr: Is there any way you can have someone else hold her right before you go into the ring?

PHMowgli: I have found if I have something spearmint or pepermint in my mouth I can contain myself better

PHMowgli: whitegold waht breed?

PHChristy: Mildred, how long has she been out of season?

PHMowgli: eskies?

whitegold_nr: Samoyed

HedgeMom: I suggest a dose of Bach Rescue Remedy for the handler right before going into the ring...

Mara_nr: Have you tried visualization?

PHMowgli: ok so two bullie breeders to sammy breeders

Mernie_nr: Hey we're cousins, I have malamutes!

PHMowgli: Christy I am outnumbered here help LOL

Mildred_nr: She has been out since the beginning of Feb. I've tried 3 different types of calming drops

PHChristy: I used to have a deerhound bitch who would shy away from judges when in season

PHMowgli: no other herding dogs LOL

Mara_nr: Visualize her movig briskly around the ring standing solidly on the table, doing her down and back and being handed the purple ribon

PHChristy: Mildred, on YOU or on the dog, LOL?

Mara_nr: I think the book reference is the winning edge

HedgeMom: Mildred, for YOU. : )

Mara_nr: sports therapy

Mildred_nr: On the dog..... I am almost a narcoleptic..... I can hardly stay awake

PHMowgli: Mildred I prescribe you have a nice calming vodka tonic before going in ring LOL

PHChristy: visualization has been shown to improve athletic performance in humans

Mernie_nr: Trade show secrets is pretty good too.

Mildred_nr: We are going to Vegas this coming weekend for Silver State.

whitegold_nr: I use visualization to put the picture in my mind of how I look moving and showing my dog

Mara_nr: stand ringside before, watch the judges pattern then do it over again in your head with you having the win at the end

PHChri