Dog shows often feature canines that have been very meticulously taken care of. Typically, these dogs are very well-trained, well-fed, and are regularly kept at their most optimal condition as much as possible. Taking care of show dogs is an extremely rigorous and extensive process. It requires a high degree of patience, willingness, and perseverance from the owner to stay on top of their dog’s overall well-being and condition.
In this article, we are going to talk about the correct strategies for taking care of show dogs. This list will include preventing parasites, having the proper diet, as well as getting enough exercise and training. By the end of this article, you should be a little bit more knowledgeable on how to effectively handle and prepare your dogs for an upcoming show.
Parasite and Pest Prevention
The first and perhaps the most important aspect of taking care of a show dog is preventing parasites and pests. This is because these little buggers are often the source of a lot of health issues down the line. In terms of parasite and pest prevention, there are a lot of things that you can do as an owner.
First, use quality products. Contact your veterinarian for some recommendations when it comes to effective products to fight off parasites and pests. These products could be in the form of soaps, shampoos, powders, and sprays.
Second, regular bathing. Regularly bathing your dogs will ensure that they stay fresh and hygienic. This alone could get rid of any unwanted dirt or foreign objects and parasites that may have gotten stuck into their coats.
Third, try to avoid dirty areas outside. When walking or training your pet, avoid going into dirty areas or those that may have been infested by fleas or ticks. Try to walk them on dry and clean roads or paths just so you make sure that they don’t get infected with diseases and illnesses from parasites and pests.
Proper Diet
Show dogs often require some sort of specialized diet. This diet will typically vary according to the category or type of dog show that you intend to join with your dog. If you intend to compete in performance categories, such as dog course races, then it would be best to feed your dogs with food that increases performance. Foods that are high in fiber, protein, calcium, and other vitamins and minerals will be very advantageous for your dog’s health and overall well-being.
If you intend to join in aesthetic competitions, which is typical for muscular breeds, it would be best to resort to raw feeding. This feeding strategy ensures that your dog gets as lean or as muscular as possible. This is because these foods are typically very clean and nutritious as part of their unprocessed characteristics. No matter what feeding strategy you employ, be sure to avoid overfeeding your dogs. Not only will this impair their performance, but it could also pose health problems and other complications in the future.
Exercise and Training
A critical component in keeping your show dogs healthy and fit is getting sufficient exercise. The most basic form of exercise you can do with your dog is to go on a walk or run. This alone could prove to be sufficient if done on a regular basis. Dogs love to go outside as well, which means that walking or running could also improve their mood. If you intend to compete in performance categories, it would be wise to do some sort of specialized training. Typically, these categories would require agility, such as fast changes in directions.
In this case, it would be best to customize a workout for your dog, such as including obstacles or blocks and leading them to traverse the course as fast as possible.
Finally, it is also important that your dog gets enough training. This could be in the form of behavioral training or in following specific commands. Not only will this allow them to perform better in specific categories, but it will generally help in keeping you, the crowd, and other dogs safe and away from harm.
