Pure Dog Talk

Tricks Are for Show Dogs! Improve Focus in the Ring Show Dog Prep School founder, Vicki Ronchette, provides tips for training tricks to show dogs to help them focus and have fun. "Training tricks is fun," Ronchette said. "People and dogs enjoy it more than they do training traditional exercises. It is relaxing. And it's a good way for people to improve their mechanical training skills." Teaching a "bow" is a great trick for the conformation ring. Dogs get bored in the ring, Ronchette noted. Having a repertoire of tricks available helps dogs and exhibitors relax, she said. Bonus, the dogs and handlers having fun makes a good impression on audience and serve as crowd pleasers. Note the phenomenal success of the "sit up" by the Sussex Spaniel, Bean, at the 2018 Westminster Kennel Club show. Ronchette shared a few of her favorite "tricks" to teach clients that provide specific benefits to dogs and their performance. Touch! Target training is a favorite of Ronchette's. She trains the dog to touch its nose to