Dogs... How many people take their dog to a show??

[Black Magic]

We have a Shetland Sheepdog puppy, and as our friends always take their dogs to the horse shows, we followed suit yesterday. Our (Slow Walking Hank) doggy was doing fine until Liberty! Hank wanted to jump in the ring and join the show!

The kids were upset that we left early, but I was afraid that his occassional barks would upset a mini.

I should add that Hank loves to play with the minis. He can out run them, and would make a heck of a barrel racer. He loves to play with the QH too. He's just a fun dog.... but I'm sort of worried that he was just too rude to go to a horseshow again... What do you think?

 

[minimomNC]

The only way to teach he to not bark is to take him with you. I take Tate all the time, everywhere I can. He does very well for a puppy and very rarely ever barks now. Its just something they have to get use to. Just let him know its ok to watch the horses run, just not ok to bark.

Good luck, I enjoy having Tate with me. He's my traveling buddy.

 

[shminifancier]

Way Too Many, IMO.

 

[rabbitsfizz]

My dogs go everywhere with me, so they have always come to shows, BUT they stay in their cages in the Van, they would not be allowed on the showground. If it is very hot I rig up a canopy, as I used to a dog shows, and leave the back doors open - one I can chain and allow to come and go, the other would eat dogs that went by, so that's a no-no.

 

[kaykay]

problem is shelties are known to bark alot unless trained otherwise. but i agree you have to just keep doing it and really get on him when he barks. misty always goes to congress as shes kinda known and loved there. the first time she did bark once or twice but i got right on her and she stopped.

 

[Sterling]

I do, if I get a chance to. Sometimes in the hot hot summery heat I don't especially if I'm showing, as hubby and I are busy with the horses and it's kinda hard to multitask worrying about your dog if she's getting overheated or not. We enjoy taking them especially if I'm not showing...then we can tend to them 100%. When my dogs are pups, they get socialized with almost anything I can find to put in their way. To country fairs with animals, horses, people, parades...so they get used to all that and they can bark there and it won't be as distracting if they're barking at show horses. Then I am able to correct them and show them that all thats ok.

 

[wcr]

I have a corgi named I Emma Dawg aka Emma that goes to all the shows and horse camping. She is the best dog I have ever owned and so smart that she knows the drill. When showing she is tied to the trailer but in down time goes everywhere with me. At horse shows not a morsel of dog food passes her lips and it is truly amazing that she doesn't get sick on some of the food she eats.

 

[Miniv]

We usually leave our dogs at home. We have taken one of them a couple of times, but we always made sure we had a tack stall to keep him in when he wasn't being walked on a leash.

MA

 

[billiethekid40]

One thing you can do at home that might help is to set him up to bark in a show type setting. At home you just let him run with the horses and play so he thinks he should be able to at the show too. Try doing a "mock liberty class" at home. Have someone hold the puppy on a leash outside the arena/paddock/round pen while a horse is being free longed. This is a much better setting to teach a dog, where you are at home and not out in public. He should be able to learn that when he is on a leash he is NOT free to play with the horses.

 

[Robin1]

My mother and I each have a Tibetan Spaniel that have gone to a show or two with us. If we are showing they stay in their crates in the tack room. My cattle dog has gone a time or two and does excellent, and I have taken an Anatolian who also did great. Most times they stay at home where they are safe and sound.

Robin

 

[Abby]

ok I'll probably get flamed here, but here goes.

I don't take dogs to horse shows and never would. Too many things could happen. I actually don't like it when I'm walking my horse around and get startled by a dog. Old age maybe, but just my opinion.

I would hate to see an accident because a dog spooked a horse and someone got hurt.

Lee

 

[txminipinto]

I need to add my 2 cents here also. While I don't mind dogs at horse shows (I wish I had one to take with me so I wouldn't be alone all the time), I really get irritated when I see a dog off leash. Granted there are dogs that stick close to their masters, but that's not the point. Numerous times I've walked my shetland mare down a barn aisle at a show to have little dogs crawling all over the place. Now, with any other horse, it would probably be fine. But, my mare likes to stomp smaller animals into the dirt (including chickens). I would really hate for her to kick a dog at a show, but what am I to do? My mare is on her lead and has the "right of way" so to speak. If someone's dog sniffs her heal, they may not have much of a nose left to sniff with. If you take your dog to a show, regardless if he barks or not, be respectiful and keep him on a leash and give horses the right of way.

 

[Sue_C.]

I'll get my flamesuit on too...

Horses go to....Horse shows

Dogs go to....DOG shows

I have been set-up too many times with my camper and trailer at an over-nighter, beside someone who feels the need to take thier dogs. Unfortunately, the dogs are often left behind in their campers whilst the owners go off and socialize, and all they do is bark and howl all day and night. WHY would someone feel that the poor dogs are better off in that environment, than safe and happy at home, or boarded out, in a kennel.

Rare is the dog who is as comfortable at a horse show with all that goes on, than at home, in his own house barn, or familar kennel.

 

[Dr. Pam]

I love dogs. I mean, I REALLY love dogs. My dogs stay home when we go to horse shows. So should 90% of the dogs that ARE at the shows. Sadly, no one thinks this means THEIR dog.

 

[shminifancier]

Dogs... How many people take their dog to a show??,

Like I said, Too many people do.

 

[Little Wee Horse Farm]

I guess I should keep my mouth shut here, but well, you guys that know me know that's not likely to happen.

I am not a proponent of dogs at shows. Dogs definitely have a deep place in my heart, but at the shows, it's a horse day, not a dog day. I have had my horses scared darn near to death at a show by dogs jumping out at them & barking all the way. These are dogs that, I know, are at home with horses & with them every day. But a show venue is different than home.

And what if an exhibitor has a horse that is not used to dogs at all? We need to be fair to everyone & every horse. Again, it's not a dog event.

A lot of show grounds do not allow dogs on the grounds. There is a reason. I love my dog dearly & would love to take her everywhere I go, but....this is the exception.

If I were showing liberty & there was a barking dog that ruined my presentation, I'd be upset (ok. That's putting it mildly). My horses are always with my dog, but this is a different situation. And most likely dogs unknown to a stranger's horse. I don't believe horses are dumb enough to not realize it's a different dog than perhaps the one they know. Sorry, but I respectfully disagree. I believe dogs should stay home.

Don't forget that whoever is showing their horses has worked hard & spent time & money to get there in that ring....sometimes blood, sweat & tears. And if a dog's presence just erased all that, well, I'd feel very bad for him/her/them.

Ok, I'll put on my fire-retardent suit now.

 

[kaykay]

well i agree and disagree. i kinda think horses and dogs go hand in hand. but am admant that they should not be running loose. Every show i went to this year they announced that all dogs HAD to be on a leash. But apparently alot of people didnt hear that. The problem is the shows dont enforce their own rules. i havent seen a dog interrupt a horse showing but i dont like them loose all over the place.

 

[mininik]

Personally, I don't think any uncontrolled (loose or barking) dog has a place at a horse show. As for worrying about a dog spooking a horse while showing, well, it IS a horse show. That doesn't mean that I think dogs should be allowed ringside but in my opinion, if your horse can't be presented in the ring without being affected by what may go on outside of the ring or at least be controlled if it is affected by something happening it probably shouldn't be there. I've never understood why at many Mini shows so many people practically tiptoe around so as not to "spook" someone's horse in the ring. I understand being cautious, but really...

 

[Jenn]

We have one show, our club show, that is very dog-friendly. Actually, it's pretty much encouraged for you to bring your dogs! We have everything from Chihuahuas (ours) to little bulldogs to shelties to huskies to an english sheepdog. They are all very well behaved. Some run loose, some don't. It's never been a problem and it's neat to meet everyone else's dogs. And the dogs have a blast!

 

[willowoodstables]

Never..

And I have one dog that is good to take anywhere. Reasons:

1) Dirty people down the aisle leave their freakin dogs tied on a LONG lead in the middle of the aisle and you have to ask them to move them or trip over leash

2) Same dirty folks didn't clean up the dog crap left in aisle grrr

3) Have you seen Fluffy?? She was just here and now amongst the 10 million kids/horses/people she's gone

4) Blazing hot day. Horse has bucket and shade. Dog...none

5) GD barking son of a gun in the stands spooked the pony and now it is running wild through the fairgrounds

6) Heads up, don't forget to move the babycarriage AND the darn dog on the 400 foot retractable leash that doesn't seem to retract

7) Oh this clicker training is wonderful..Oh are you trying to hook that green colt and I am clicking my d%()$(( clicker right by his ear so Fluffy can whine for a treat

8) Oh do you have spare paper towels..I left home without them.

9) Do you have a spare plastic bag too?

10) Do you have a spare water bowl?

11) Can I leave Fluffy in the empty stall to watch these classes. Oh did I forget to tell you Fluffy suffers Seperation Anxiety and barks non stop till I return, and the next 50 classes where so interesting I couldn't leave the stands.

12) Oh, can I use your manure fork to clean (if I remember) the stall 'cause Fluffy was so upset she had the runs.

13) Oh was that your special brush?

LOL Nope never, dog doesn't even go to other people's houses (another pet peeve..people show up with their dogs and you have to tell them to leave them in the car)

Kim