2008 BCA National
Member Education
Have a Briard Puppy??? So what are you to do next???
Check out the Puppy Slideshow for fun, and come to the Nationals. Fun and Educational!
Photos are added as we get them. Send them to:
The Snells
Check out these great Education Seminars to help you and your puppy, or dog learn and have fun.
HANDLING CLINIC - given by: Marsha Clamp
I started showing dogs back in the late 1970’s, and didn't have a clue what I was doing!! Luckily I found some good mentors in both the breeding aspect of dogs, and ones who helped me learn to show my dogs to their fullest potential while still having a good time in the ring.
We try to keep our handling clinic very low key and lots of fun! I try to divide the participants into two groups; those with little or no ring experience, and those who have some experience and want to learn a bit more detail.
I will go over with the handlers proper show equipment, like the best lead/collar to use on a particular dog, different types of bait, brushes to take into the ring (this is a task that takes time to master!! LOL!), etc. Learning the finer points of the ring can help a novice handler get the most out of his/her dogs. Being in the ring should NOT be a scary experience, but a fun time for all! Too many times I see people who, for whatever reason, are just so nervous or stressed in the ring that they get the dog all upset too; this does NOT make for a good relationship between dog and handler in the ring or in life in general! Keeping ones “cool” in the ring makes both the handler and the dog look better! Remember, you only have a very short time to show the judge you have THE BEST dog in the ring and he/she should win! Many years ago I attended a handling seminar given by Jeffrey Brucker (who is one of THE top handlers ever to hit the Doberman ring) and he said the most important word in showing dogs is “confidence”; in both senses of the word. You have to have confidence in the dog you bring into the ring, and, like a “confidence” man, you have to convince the judge that your dog is the best.
When showing a dog, less can be better; one should avoid the “theatrics” that some handlers go through in the ring with their exaggerated movements, phony smiling at the judges, etc., and just concentrate on making their dog look good. I try to help people become less nervous and more relaxed when in the ring, and still show their dog to its full potential. After all, it is important to remember this is supposed to be “fun”!!!
A Briard Head Study - The seminar is being conducted by the BEC
Date: Wednesday, September 24th from 10:30 to noon in the Woden room
Are you “head” over heels in love with the Briard? Can you keep your “head” above water when discussing a Briard’s head? Are you “head” strong in your knowledge about a Briard’s head? If you would like to take the right “heading” in your journey to know about the Briard, then join us for an in-depth look at a major part of our standard…The Briard Head! From viewing the Briard head in artists renderings, in photos and in Jim Gion sculpture, to learning how to correctly measure a Briard’s head, to a special hands-on examination of real Briards’ heads, you won’t want to miss this special seminar presented by the BEC. You can be sure that after this event, you will know the differences among Briards’ heads and you will feel confident with your knowledge about one of the most beautiful heads in all of the canine kingdom. We guarantee that after this event you will almost be an expert at playing “head“ games! Join us for a great learning opportunity along with a good time where you certainly will learn to be “head” strong!
Why Do They / or Should They Move That Way? -
The seminar is being conducted by the BEC
Date:September 23 BCA National Herding Trial and Instinct Testing, Paris, Kentucky.
Your Breed Education Committee is offering "pasture-side tutoring" during the trial in the AM with a question and answer session at lunch time.
Have you ever wondered why our breed standard speaks to structure, movement, balance, and size in the way that it does? Most every breed was developed to perform a specific job, and as these breeds were developed, it became evident that a certain "form" of a dog best enabled it to "function" most efficiently.
So -- come on down to Mary's farm, plan to spend the day with our wonderful breed in their natural environment, and perhaps a lot of your questions will be answered.
Pre-registration -- send name and cell phone number to Meg Weitz
No fee, but information needed for us to prepare materials.
Plan to arrive 30 minutes before start of trial to review materials.
Will need a minimum of a dozen people registered to hold this program.
“Socialization of the Puppy” -
The seminar is being presented by the BEC
Presented by Kathy Lanam with assistance by Elise McMahon
Followed by a Panel Discussion of Socialization Issues by other Briard breeders; Meg Weitz - Moderator
An important presentation for any dog owner, breeder or trainer.
For more information- please download our PDF Socialization Flyer!!!