Dear Car Chasing: The German Shepherd Dog is a member of the Herding Group. As such, this dog is hard-wired to chase livestock and gather it up into tidy flocks. Your pet clearly believes it is her genetic responsibility to herd all those passing cars into a well kept flock for you, the master. She is just trying to do what she is bred for and please you all in the same activity. However, letting her continue this behavior is a danger not only to you but other folks traveling on the road.

Height Matters

She doesn’t chase the cars in the pick-up truck because she’s at a higher level and doesn’t view the passing cars as objects to be herded. But once you lower her to eye level with the cars, she kicks in the herding mode based on her visual perception of them.

For the sake of everyone’s safety, I strongly urge you to get a crate and put her in it in while traveling in the station wagon. Get a plastic-sided one that will obscure her vision of the passing cars to prevent lunging and keep her from moving around the inside of the vehicle. Trying to train her not to lunge while you are driving is a dangerous distraction for you.

Also, while she rides in the pick-up truck, I hope you have a restraining device, like a doggie harness that you can attach to the seat belt, so she won’t go flying into the windshield should you hit the brakes suddenly or become involved in an accident.

Dear Lisa: I have a Miniature Pinscher and when he gets old enough I’d like to put him in a dog show. I need to know what the requirements are. How do I prepare for this as it will be our first time? – Nervous Novice

Dear Nervous: When most people think of dog shows they are referring to American Kennel Club conformation events, (think Westminster on TV). While there are a variety of events that you can participate in with your dog from Obedience and Rally to Agility and Tracking, Conformation events do require some prerequisites.

To enter all AKC® events, a dog must first be registered with the AKC. For conformation events, he must also be at least six months of age and not have been spayed or neutered, since the purpose of a dog show is to evaluate breeding stock.

Breed Standard

Once your dog has met this criteria, your next stop is to read the breed standard for the Miniature Pinscher. Go to www.akc.org under breeds and you will find the standard. Then take your dog and see how he measures up to the standard. For example, the Min Pin standard says a dog’s height requirement is between 10 and 12 ½ inches tall. Anything under 10 or above 12 ½ is a disqualification. Does your dog meet this height requirement? If not, then I would suggest you not show your dog since he will not be considered by any judge. If he is of the correct height, then continue down the standard to see how he matches up against the descriptions for head, neck, topline, etc. If you feel your dog will make the grade based on the standard then go ahead and train towards entering a dog show with him.

Handling Classes

Before entering any dog show I suggest you find a local kennel club which offers handling classes. These are different from obedience classes, which prepare for obedience competitions. Handling classes (to teach you how to “handle” your dog in the show ring) are sometimes called “breed” or “conformation” classes. Enroll you and your dog before you hit the show ring to learn what to takes to show off your dog’s good qualities. And finally, before going to a championship point show, take him to a few matches, or practice shows, to get your feet wet and to learn the ropes without the added stress of the competition.

Finally, I would go to your first dog show alone, and watch your breed and see how other handlers exhibit their charges. Then after showing, approach some of the handlers and breeders and find yourself someone willing to be a mentor. A good mentor will teach you the ropes and give you a leg up on your first competition.

Good Luck!

              

Lisa Peterson, a long-time breeder of Norwegian Elkhounds, is the Director of Club Communications at the American Kennel Club. Contact her at ask@lisa-peterson.com or Dogma Publishing, P.O. Box 307, Newtown, CT 06470.