Bought your dog as show quality? Learn to handle them like a professional. Our breed ring handling classes are for first-time exhibitors and owner/handlers who want to train and show their own dogs, and for seasoned exhibitors training a new dog or polishing their skills.
- Classes Beginning Breed Ring, plus Advanced Breed Ring drop-in practice for experienced handlers
- Approach The same attention to detail and step-by-step teaching as all our classes
- Other sports Taught so it won’t confuse your dog if you also train for obedience, agility or other performance titles
- Cost Shown with each class below. Most 6-week group classes are $255, sales tax included.
Beginning Breed Ring
You learn the basic skills of showing your dog in the conformation ring, and the procedures, patterns and courtesies used there. Hiring a professional handler is an option, but it’s a tremendous feeling to own and handle your own dog in the ring!
Handling basics
Gaiting, stacking, baiting and presenting your dog.
Ring procedures
The basic procedures, patterns and courtesies of the conformation ring.
Ring etiquette
A foundation in ring etiquette and how to move around the ring.
Your dog’s best side
How to accentuate your dog’s best qualities.
Many of our students have handled their own dogs in the show ring and come away with group placements and Best in Show. We often have a waiting list for our beginning classes.
Advanced Breed Ring Drop-In
Drop-in practice teaches the dog and the handler to show like professionals. Play dog show, refine your presentation, learn to accentuate your dog’s best attributes and minimize ring stress, and get feedback from the instructor.
Many of our students have gone on to earn championships, compete at some of the top shows in the country (like Westminster and Eukanuba) and develop excellent breeding programs for their breed, all while handling their own dogs. You can too!
Having trouble in the ring?
Having trouble finishing your dog? Can’t understand why lesser-quality dogs keep winning and yours doesn’t? We’ll help you work out what’s happening and how to fix it, from gaiting to grooming and attitude to apparel. Over our years of showing and teaching, we’ve helped handlers and their dogs overcome many issues that were affecting their show careers:
- Your dog lacks enthusiasm. We’ll help you motivate your dog in a positive way.
- You’re not sure of the ring patterns or how best to show your dog. We’ll teach you to handle like a professional.
- Your dog won’t hold their head up, carry their tail up or down, or trot instead of gallop. We’ll help you teach it.
Whatever your challenges, we’re confident we can help.
Upcoming breed ring classes
None of these classes are scheduled right now. Join the wait list or send us a message and we’ll let you know when new classes open.
Not on the schedule?
If you’re interested in a Beginning Breed Ring class, or an Advanced Drop-In for experienced handlers, and there’s nothing on the schedule, fill out the wait list.
Want to know more?
Read About Us for our training philosophy and our programs, or send us a message with your questions.
