Things are rolling right along here at the Purina National. Right now the Non-Sporting Group is in the ring. The (unofficial) groups winners thus far are:

Sporting Group: Golden Retriever

Hound Group: P.B.G.V.

Terrier Group:Kerry Blue Terrier

Toy Group: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

In other exciting news, Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion has arrived and is taking in the show!

Stay tuned, I’ll be liveblogging Best in Show judging!

There are few thing that I like more than meeting dogs, and dog shows offer me the chance to meet and greet a lot of dogs (even though I can’t pet them all, some are too ’show perfect’ to be pet).

I’ve been going to dog shows since before I can remember, and I’ve always found a way to amuse myself. When I was little it was a blanket and toys set up at ringside. When I got older it was running around from booth to booth collecting kibble samples for the sheer fun of it. And there was always a crate to play in or a dog to play with.

Now, when I go to dog shows, I actually enjoy the dog show itself. I like watching these beautiful animals strut there stuff. I like catching up with old friends and meeting new ones.

So, if you are planning on coming to the Purina National, I would really encourage you to do so. The show is in a big open space, and it has bleachers so you can settle in and watch a few breeds. So come on out and see what this ‘dog show’ thing is all about. If you see me, be sure to say hi, I’ll even introduce you to ‘Vinnie’ the wonder-puppy.

A late-in-the-day audition for a television series kept me from making it to dog training class this week, so my wife Suzanne gamely took the reins… or leash. I’ve got over 60 pounds on Suzanne so it’s interesting to note how the training process, especially with a big energetic dog, differs for us, and also what remains the same. – Neil

I pulled a muscle snapping on the treat pouch in anticipation of the evening’s class. It looks smaller on Neil, but for ‘Owen’ it’s never big enough. Owen was, again, excited to see the other dogs, but I made an extra effort to keep him quiet with treats and activity so we could all hear what Teddy and Lane were saying (most of the time).

Tonight we concentrated on keeping the dogs focused on us, instead of giving in to surrounding distractions. I put Owen on a Down, then stepped in front of him to the end of the leash. He was to stay put as I clapped my hands and then returned to his side. He did quite well a couple of times. Unfortunately, he soon took my clapping and the clapping around the room as a cue that a polka was about to start, and rose to find a partner. I quickly stepped in and moved his hulking mass back to his spot. Owen is growing; it’s easier to move a bag of mortar mix.

The class then began a promenade around the room, following Lane’s changes of direction or passing a slower dog in front of us. The trick is to increase the number of treats and the intensity of animation as you and your dog get closer to any possible distraction, helpful for when you encounter ‘Cedric’ – the dog made entirely of cheese –and his pal Karl the Gazelle. Owen did great. Or perhaps I should say that I was fantastic, but it’s like tap dancing to placate an angry audience; I had to ‘dance faster’ the second his attention wandered, by poking his side, using high-energy dialogue and, of course, treats.

Two important points over the evening: Don’t walk with your hand in the treat bag, and use a good ‘marker’ word, like “Yesssss!” (better than “Good dog”) so the dog knows, immediately, that he has done well and that a treat is coming. All commands, actions and rewards need to be clear. Training takes a long time but you won’t get the payoff if you let your technique slip. Then you’ll really be in trouble when you meet Cedric.

Things are all abuzz over here at Dogs in Canada (and our roomies, the CKC) headquarters. Why? Because the Purina National is today!

Though I’ve been at the show for three years now, this year is a little different. Instead of driving out to picturesque Tillsonburg, we only have to drive a few kilometres from home base to The International Centre in Mississauga. As much as I relish a weekend away from home, I am very excited to not have to pack.

As I hammer out the final details for how I am going to cover the Purina National, I thought that I would give you guys some suggestions for preparing to attend this fantastic show.

Be sure to check out our article Dog show and tell, it’s the perfect primer to learn (or to refresh your knowledge) of how a dog show works.

If you are still on the fence about attending, read up on the CKC foundation, which will benefit from the proceeds.

Finally, if you still need convincing, check out our award-nominated video coverage of last year’s show.