| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | of the judge’s table. This move will give the |
| If you will not be hiring a professional Shih Tzu handler | | | | judge a good opportunity to the second look at your |
| for the show ring, there are a few things you should | | | | Shih Tzu. Now, set your Shih Tzu up in a show pose. |
| know about how to protect yourself and your Shih | | | | As the judge goes up and down the line of Shih Tzu, |
| Tzu so that neither of you are too discouraged right at | | | | maintain your Shih Tzu in a show stance. Do not brush |
| the start. | | | | the Shih Tzu’s hair at this time. Do not be |
| Try to remember a judge’s first and lasting | | | | adjusting the Shih Tzu’s feet, or tilting the head, |
| impression of your Shih Tzu’s temperament will | | | | or positioning the Shih Tzu’s tail. By the time the |
| be made the moment it walks into the ring. Do not | | | | judge reaches your Shih Tzu, the Shih Tzu should be |
| carry your Shih Tzu into the ring to avoid getting its hair | | | | standing as still as a statue with your hands off of it. If |
| messed up. Let the judge see the Shih Tzu’s | | | | you show a lot of fussing over the Shih Tzu at this |
| gait as it walks into the ring. Do not drag the Shih Tzu | | | | time it only calls attention to the fact that you are |
| behind you. It invariably will be a stressful 48 hour | | | | probably an amateur at this and you will be seen as |
| period for your Shih Tzu before the show. This time | | | | nervously mishandling the Shih Tzu. A free, natural |
| period will either be too hot, too cold or too rainy. A | | | | stance will be more appealing to the judge. |
| few hours before the show will involve your Shih Tzu | | | | People play games in anything that is competitive to |
| having to stand rigidly on a crate, having its face and | | | | try and discourage a newcomer especially if the |
| body sprayed with grooming substance that does not | | | | newcomer really has a good dog. This poses a threat |
| smell or taste very good. Your Shih Tzu may have to | | | | to others who are competing with you and people do |
| endure a session of sneezing while you brush their hair | | | | play games to try and make you or your Shih Tzu |
| out to perfection. Then remember all the hours your | | | | look bad. |
| Shih Tzu was in the bathtub and the grooming session | | | | These same kind of games are played in other arenas |
| the day before the show. What about the ride to the | | | | of the purebred dog sport such as what we have |
| show? Was it over bumpy, uncomfortable roads? The | | | | today on the internet with so many Shih Tzu dog |
| 48 hours just before the show can be a drooling, | | | | websites springing up. People get jealous and feel |
| torturous time for your precious Shih Tzu, soon to | | | | threatened by what they see their competitors doing |
| become a Show Dog Shih Tzu. Experienced judges | | | | that may take away something from them. So |
| know just what a Shih Tzu has to endure the 48 | | | | they try and set up little games to make their |
| hours before show time. If your Shih Tzu can still strut | | | | competitors look bad or seem unworthy in the hopes |
| into the ring after all this, the judge will have to know | | | | that the consumer will pass up their competitors |
| your Shih Tzu has an excellent disposition. This will be | | | | when it comes time to purchase Shih Tzu puppies. |
| the judge’s first impression. It will also be a very | | | | I suppose if it works in the world of politics to |
| lasting impression. | | | | bad-mouth your competitor and opponents, it should |
| Do not try to be first to enter the ring if you are a | | | | work in all other situations is the thinking of individuals |
| novice. It will be much more educational for you to get | | | | who stoop to this type of a tactic. And you definitely |
| behind a more experienced exhibitor or professional | | | | will meet up with this type in the show ring as well. |
| handler where you can observe and learn ring | | | | Simply label these behaviors for what they truly are, |
| behavior and procedures. When you do enter the ring | | | | which is unprofessional. Don’t be |
| with your Shih Tzu, do so quickly and calmly. Have | | | | unprofessional. Hold your head up high and |
| your Shih Tzu on a loose lead. Watch for the first | | | | always work as a true professional in anything you |
| opportunity to show your arm band to the judge for | | | | attempt to do in life. Do not join in with any kind of |
| check in purposes. Then get in the line-up already | | | | childish game playing. How you play your game is |
| forming in the ring. This is usually at the opposite side | | | | what will be remembered most. |