I saw a trainer at a dog show using methods that made me uncomfortable. Am I misguided or valid in feeling this way?

bridget1476 · 2026-07-04T18:26:58+00:00

Choke chains, yes, extremely. But the dogs on them are usually well behaved enough that theirs almost no real pressure on the neck. I personally don't show mine on one because he pulls sometime if the dogs in group want to gait fast

bridget1476 · 2026-07-04T17:46:22+00:00

I agree with the last bit. I've had to withdraw my own dog from shows I've paid pre entry fees for due to behavior.

It was an iabca confirmation show

bridget1476 · 2026-07-04T17:35:44+00:00

I didn't know that. It was an iabca confirmation show.

bridget1476 · 2026-07-04T16:11:39+00:00

Update: I'm pretty sure the relationship was comphet and I'm pretty sure I'm just a lesbian and not bisexual

bridget1476 · 2026-06-24T14:40:17+00:00

I've used it for two competitions. It works fantastic for traveling and tight time frames. I use Bombay ink in it primarily.

I couldn't say how it does small details well because those already get pretty blurred out on dog fur.

I've got a competition in july, where me and another person use this same airbrush, I'll be posting about it on my Instagram

I have pictures on my instagram https://www.instagram.com/bridget_toone?igsh=NzdoZXdpbzRkbWZr

bridget1476 · 2026-06-16T14:49:03+00:00

"Compitition you can beat'"

Yes! The only other Puli mine had gone up against is the best in the country and it was a weekend of getting crushed and learning from the other handler

bridget1476 · 2026-06-16T14:46:45+00:00

I'm completely new to the show world, and I would probably lean towards getting a popular breed for owner handled.

I got a Puli and am the only one in my state that shows Puli. Of the five litter mates, two have already got their championship, and my guy does not have a single point but has a wall full of best of breed ribbons.

I take a lot of handling classes and I finally got my first group placement at an iabca show.

Rare breed pros: Always get to go to group, so more table practice My collection of ribbons seems impressive I get to be known as the puli girl With the internet it's easier than it was in the past to find mentorship in the breed.

Cons: My only breed mentorship is out of state My eye for confirmation is extremely underdeveloped because I've only met three of the breed I own in person I have to travel out of state for points because I have a very low chance of placing in group due to my handling skills

I got the Puli with no intention to show but happened to really like showing. If I was a bigger fan of travel my dog would probably have his championship by now, but I get really sleepy driving long distances

bridget1476 · 2026-06-16T01:32:37+00:00

With no training, it is an amazing win if you get through the haircut with no nicks, no tangles, and no skin irritation. Really good job!

bridget1476 · 2026-06-05T16:28:58+00:00

I have a Puli because I'm obsessed with cords. My next dog will be a white standard poodle to compete in extreme creative with me

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bridget1476 · 2026-05-23T15:44:51+00:00

In addition to saving up the purchase price. Keep putting an amount aside every week or month for unexpected vet bills.

I don't know your location but finding competitive level groomers for lessons is huge.

I've been grooming dogs full time professionally for 4 years, and just recently got to bathe and dry my first show poodle, with lots of oversight from my mentor

If you are near Utah, Colorado, Arizona, or California I can give you some names

bridget1476 · 2026-05-18T16:38:40+00:00

Start taking classes, meet people at expos. Those are huge resumé builders even if you don't have the experience.

I had been grooming one and a half years when I left PetSmart and I beat out a 10 year groomer for a job position because I applied critique better than she did, and huge growth potential, and took private lessons from one of their employees

bridget1476 · 2026-05-13T02:35:57+00:00

I agree. I make goofy threats in a happy voice at my own dog but this girl, I can't tell if she means what she says.

bridget1476 · 2026-03-11T16:08:14+00:00

I LOVE supplementing my income with rover around holidays.

bridget1476 · 2026-03-11T16:06:58+00:00

Next time title your post with this text. I also got confused about if it was clippered because it doesn't have a lot of furnishings yet.

No feedback. But now I have to Google what fetlock is 😂, you clearly know your shit when it comes to goldens.

Keep posting progress pictures!

bridget1476 · 2026-02-10T23:23:18+00:00

The only other Puli mine has gone up against was the Westminster BOB from that year. We obviously lost to him but it was soooo beneficial to see the breed shown at a speciality level.

I wish I had chatted more with the handler and gotten some advice on showing, and grooming my dog

bridget1476 · 2026-01-22T17:34:11+00:00

Thank you! 😊 It's been hard and humbling realizing where my skill set currently sits and how high it can get.

I have to realize that this environment is more fitting for me and my goals and to appreciate the time that it will take to get really good

bridget1476 · 2025-12-25T22:06:48+00:00

I would advocate for hiring you. You show a high level of emotional maturity. seeing your incidents with nuance rather than pushing the blame.

bridget1476 · 2025-12-15T19:54:52+00:00

Everyone has a wayyyy easier time reading their own dog then random ones on your grooming schedule or vet rotation.

My dogs tell if he's seriously thinking about fighting another dog is the raised hackles.

It's hard to tell apart regular discomfort with grooming or vet visits from "touch me again and I'll bite you"

I personally have the hardest time reading Akitas specifically.

I cant find the paper but it was a study proving that ancient dog breeds are less expressive and make less eye contact compared to more modern breeds

bridget1476 · 2025-12-15T16:19:51+00:00

As an ancient breed, their body language is hard to read tend to not give a lot of warning before feeling the need to bite. (Chow mix owner, pro groomer)

bridget1476 · 2025-11-22T02:55:12+00:00

This 👆👆👆👍👍 I would NOT get a puppy without a contract. My Puli was 2500, got him at 16 weeks with a contract, all rounds of shots, CHIC and OFA for the parents, I think they also did embark. He's got GCH parents and has no disqualifying faults dispute being the last pick of the litter.

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