1. Make becoming a better handler a priority.
2. Find a handling class and go once a week without fail.
3. Bring your dog to the show impeccably groomed and ready to win.
4. Dress as well as you groom your dog. Invest in a suit.
5. Work with your dog for 5 minutes a day.
6. Make it fun for you and your dog.
7. Invest in a full length mirror and practice stacking your dog in front of it.
8. Keep in mind there is no perfect dog. Be honest with yourself and know your dogs faults so you can minimize them.
9. After two weeks, enlist the person running the handling class to give you an honest opinion of your progress. And make sure you listen.
10. After four weeks, find a professional handler that will give you their unbiased opinion of your handling skills and ask for suggestions. Make sure you thank him/her for their time.
And finally, enter a show. You are ready to win. You will be surprised how confident you will feel. Sometimes it isn't the politics that are winning. Sometimes you are just out
handled!
