Flower Essence Drops for Best Ringside Behaviour
A Question of Attitude
Over the years I've heard
countless comments about a dog's "winning attitude". People talk about a dog
having a fabulous "ring personality" and how a certain dog will just love to
show his heart out and indeed, you do see dogs who have this magical sparkling
air that just stand them out from the crowd.
Is a show dog born or is
it made into a show dog? There hangs the 64 thousand dollar question.
I guess not all dogs are born to sparkle and some dogs need time
and patience to develop. Some handlers just have a special ability
to bring out the best in a dog and others just need lots of training
time with their dog.
However, it is especially humbling when a dog just won't do what
you need it to do on the day. There are lots of reasons for a
dog digging in his toes and behaving poorly. I hear many stories
from owners about their dogs and though genes do determine a lot,
a bad situation or lack of control can ruin a potential star.
Plush
Puppy Drops are plant or flower essences preserved
in an alcohol base. There are 3 types available that work well
for show dogs. They cannot be overdosed though more doesn't work
better so don't waste them. One third of a dropper will do the
job approx 45 minutes before show time. If that doesn't get the
desired result then dose the dog first thing in the morning, then
again 45 mins prior to show time. Keep working back i.e. the night
before and the morning before for up to 3 days if necessary.
The drops don't cure the dog - the dog will do that himself. All
the drops do is to allow the dog to have a good memory of the
show and the ring and after 1/2 a dozen times the problem will
likely go away.
There are some problems
that just won't go away and if the problem is in the breeding
and the parents or siblings exhibited the same behavior then
no amount of drops will correct the situation.
The
Apprehension Drops are for the dog with
an irrational fear of the unknown e.g. flapping ring flags, a
judge wearing a hat, a bitch about to have her first season and
doesn't want her rear end touched, the slobbering big dog next
in the line, wariness of strangers that is out of order for the
breed etc.
Then the
Hyperactivity Drops are good for a dog
who is out of control and over the top e.g. a young dog with nothing
between his ears, a dog that just wants to rocket at flat out
pace around the ring, a dog with short attention span and doesn't
listen.
Lastly there is the
Show Reviver Drops for
frankly a dog that is lazy or without any animation. Now this
is rather good for those long hot days when everyone is over it.
The drops can spark up the dog and enable it to cope better.
Also good for the dog who has been shown to death and is also
over it.
I've had some wonderful results with these drops. I treasure
the moment when a lady with a Golden hugged me and thanked me
for enabling her bitch to get her title. She had had a bad experience
at a show and the bitch had not shown well since.
Apprehension Drops fixed this situation
nicely and with hugs for me too. I also use the Apprehension
with young puppies about to travel for their first time in the
dog trailer. I rarely get a mess when I arrive. These are great
too when a puppy is about to leave home for his new address and
that strange new back yard can be intimidating. Use on puppies
when teething as often they don't like their mouth touched.
I've had days in the high
30's when the Show Reviver
Drops are about the only thing that gets everyone through
the day. They do help to cope in the heat and will often just
add the little bit of spark to a less than energetic dog. There's
a nice dog I know that was getting past it a bit and the spring
in his step is a joy to see. The owner is over the moon with
the results. This is not a miracle, just a little wonder!
A few extra tips for those hot days too - don't fill your dog
full of water to slosh around the ring. He does need fluid and
does need to keep cool. Water him well earlier on and then give
him ice cubes in a small bucket clipped to his cage. Keeps him
amused and cool and light on his feet without all that big gut
full. Small sips of water if really hot. Also water spray his
feet.
It makes the heart sing
to see a dog almost standing on his toes on the stack full of
expectation and eager to please. He will almost transfer his
weight without moving his feet and with ears a-twitch, he will
focus on his handler without a care for anyone else. It is his
show and everyone knows it. He is doing his best and you the handler
can see it and feel it and it then makes your heart sing too.
Make it fun and make it pleasurable. Isn't that why we do it?
CHERYL LECOURT
