Handlers - Page 2

They're generally expected to do one circuit of gaiting too... what about the oldies... like me? LOL

Now that's what i meant by disadvantage, i have been involved and trained my own dogs longer than some of the handlers have been alive, but i am totally hopeless at standing any dog or gaiting one in a ring. I hate running full stop, we do not get on well lol. Maybe that's why nobody ever asked me to handle thier dogs, lol.  liz

Training for Junior handlers ......  it would be good to have access to training full stop!  It would help owners who are fit enough to be able to have a go at handling themselves - and getting the info to improve.   Having to drive 60mins + each way makes training unaccessible to me.  12 years ago we had two different classes each about 30 mins away and they were fab but both have gone now.

Same here Beepy. 

Liz, I'm sure I could manage one circuit... with oxygen and a slow dog! LOL

Would handlers be prepared to handle for free? Yeah, sometimes they do... when they travel, eat, drink and sleep for nothing.

The best deal is to handle your own dog or pay someone else too. Uh huh. Handle your own dog. You'll have a swell view of the winners from the end of the line on the wrong side of the ring.

Also if the handler of one dog is known to another dog (dog 2)  and ends up infront of that dog 2 in the ring it could either affect dog 2 postively or negatively I'll have to remember that excuse next time my dog finishes up the track. I'm pretty sure I have already used all the rest. Thanks for the new material. LOL

Why shouldn't a handler get paid to run his butt around the ring for YOUR dog?  After all, the purpose of showing is to promote and campaign YOUR breeding prospects. The quality of handling does effect the way the dog looks in the ring.  Go ahead and handle your own dog if you like, it's probably good experience cause everybody has to start somewhere.... but there are some people that are good at handling and they deserve to get paid! 

Yeah, fair comment.  The prices some handers charge are OTT though and that's counter productive.

Beepy, so true, most of the top handlers here in the UK are breeders/exhibitors themselves, so you are right they would be at the shows any way. I think most here are more annoyed at the amount charged, and with the shows losing entries by the day, a reduced fee for handlers may go some way in encouraging people back that are finding it too expensive. Every little helps!!!! liz