Ring Etiquette

This month I would like to talk a little about ring etiquette for exhibitors in the obedience ring.  As an exhibitor, you can give a very positive or negative impression on the judge as you enter the ring to compete.  Although this does not directly affect your score, most undoubtedly, you want to give the best impression you can as you present your team to the judge.

First let’s talk about checking in with the table steward.  If you suspect you might have a conflict showing that day, check with your table steward for the ring approximately ½ hour before judging is to start.  The judge will either give instructions of how to handle conflicts to the table steward, or will require that you talk directly to them.  It is important that this be done prior to judging starting, as the rules state that the judge does not have to hold up judging or wait for an exhibitor.  Most judges will accommodate a conflict with an exhibitor and are happy to make that conflict as easy as possible, if the arrangements are made prior to the start of the class.  Also, make sure you check in as soon as you arrive.  Nothing is more difficult for a judge to figure out than the split of a class for sits and downs, if half of the exhibitors have not checked in.  The rules say that a judge will judge approximately 6 dogs per hour in Utility, 7 in Open and 8 in Novice, however many judges judge much faster than this rate, so be sure to get to the show early, not sit home or stay in the motel until a later date.  Besides you can learn a lot by watching fellow exhibitors in the ring, or going over to say the Utility B class to watch the handling of top exhibitors.

Next, if you are first in the ring, stay close to ringside about 10-15 minutes before judging will start.  The judge will want to show you the heeling pattern and it helps not to be searching for the first exhibitor.  For all exhibitors, watch the pattern of the exercises in the ring for at least 2-3 dogs prior to your turn.  This way you will know where the heeling starts, where to go for the following exercises and will not need to check that with the judge when you are in the ring.  If you watch how the exercises are done with prior dogs, you will be able to walk with confidence between each exercise because, you will know where you are going in the ring!  This saves the judge from having to repeat to each exhibitor where they want you next and certainly saves time in judging. 

As you get to the spot to start heeling, bring your dog to the area, and if the judge is with you, set up right away.  This is something we practice with students in obedience classes.  It gives a good impression to the judge that you and your dog are ready to work.  When the judge asks if you are ready, answer that question!  You would be amazed at how many times I have asked an exhibitor if they are ready and they talk to their dogs, saying “watch me, watch me”  never answering if they are ready to start.  Most of these times, the dog is staring off in space and it is obvious that the dog has not been taught to start the exercise.  This is important to teach – just like the rest of the obedience exercises.  If you are not ready, say no, get your dog in position and then answer yes.  Too much fooling around in this area can cost points under the miscellaneous column at the bottom of the scoring sheet.  Of course, it has to be excessive to loose points, but why leave that determination up to the judge?

Now for group sits and downs, check with the gate steward to find out when they are, and keep an eye on the ring so that you are in the area when the lineup is called.  As the group enters and is placed by the judge where they want you, take off your lead and number and place it behind your dog right away.  Be ready to follow the judges orders for the sit/down and please don’t make your fellow exhibitors do a 10 minute sit because you were futzing with your dog or your lead.  After the group sit/down (which may be the down first in Utility B – depending on the order of exercises) attach the lead and pick up your number after the judge has said exercise finished, then wait for the judge to tell you if you qualified or not.  As soon as you receive that information, you may leave the ring.  I have seen exhibitors have a conversation with each other as a group and not leave after the group exercises are done.  Remember that the AKC requires the judge to watch the group leave the ring, so these conversations really do hold up the judge from entering your score into their book.

At the end of the class judging the judge will call all of the exhibitors back in the ring for placements and qualifying ribbons.  As the judge gives your score to you, say thank you, even if you feel that your dog turned out a better performance than what you got for a score.  If you place in the class, look happy!  You’d be surprised at those who do not!  And, one more note about the placements, step up to the judge if you get first and receive your ribbon/and/or prize.  If you are second, step to the left of the 1^st place team, and so on for third and fourth.  Exhibitors in the A classes seem to want to retreat back to the group.  We are required to have you in order for all of the spectators to see that these are the placements.

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