Communication
I don’t know if all the problems of the world could be solved by honest, effective communication, but it certainly couldn’t hurt.
We have all heard that a lot of misunderstanding is a lack of understanding, and communication is key in solving this problem. According to Google, Effective communication is a key strategy for building strong relationships. It involves clearly communicating your needs and goals, and actively listening to others. When people feel heard and understood, it builds trust and understanding. Good communication also helps in our community, and a lack of it could result in an otherwise enjoyable weekend becoming a disaster.
When a club asks someone to judge at their show, that is the start of communications between show and judge. It is up to the judge to clearly respond, including such information as judging fee (if any), expenses, any special requirements such as breeds she cannot judge because of prior commitments or other issues. Any other requirements, such as hotel room (or hotel near airport on final day of judging), etc., needs to be clearly stated. Other requirements — such as whether she wants to limit number of entries or groups she will judge — needs to be included in the contract.
It is also the responsibility of the club to keep the judge in the loop with information such as which airport is best to use, rent a car or not, what the ground transportation will be, hotel used, etc. Many judges leave this kind of information at home so the rest of the family knows what to expect. Very little is more frustrating for a judge than to be asked to judge, agree and then not hear from the club again until she is expected to show up at the ring. Seriously! It does happen. When a club sends periodic updates to a judge regarding travel, etc., it makes for a much more enjoyable assignment. Air travel is seriously stressful these days, and anything that can lessen that stress is greatly appreciated.
In the ring, the judge needs to clearly communicate how he wants his ring run to his steward. Many stewards these days are very competent, and that makes them a big help to a judge. The judge then needs to make sure his instructions are clear to the exhibitors. Normal instructions to exhibitors should include where to move their dogs, where to stack the dog, and any other requirements — such as keeping the dogs in the shade in warm weather. If a situation arises whereby the judge wants to measure a dog, there is a specific procedure for this, which includes showing the exhibitor where the breed standard shows a DQ for size. By the way, not all measurements are because a judge thinks a dog needs to be disqualified. If a judge thinks a dog is close to the height (or weight) required, he may measure the dog that he wants to put up to confirm that it is within standard. I have absolutely done that — and I have even measured in the group to show that the dog was within proper parameters.
If an unfortunate situation arises whereby the judge feels he needs to excuse or disqualify a dog, this also needs to be clearly stated to the exhibitor. The two most usual reasons for excusals are that a dog is lame or the judge cannot properly examine the dog. Please understand that these two excusals are really for the benefit of the dog. We certainly would not want to make a lame dog continue to show — and perhaps seriously injure himself. If a dog is frightened or very unsure, the judge should make a couple of slow efforts to calm the dog and examine him. However, if it is obvious that the dog is just too frightened, the best thing to do is to excuse the dog.
Some people get annoyed about this, but consider this: What if the judge “forces” the dog to allow the examination, and then the dog bites or snaps out of fear? Now the dog needs to be disqualified. Wouldn’t you rather have your dog be excused so you can work on socialization rather than be disqualified? In either event, the judge needs to be clear on whether the dog is being excused or disqualified, and the reason for it.
Speaking of disqualification, a while ago I had to disqualify a dog for snapping at me and attempting to bite. I filled out the proper paperwork — with the AKC rep present — and thought it was over. Later in the afternoon, I was sitting near the rep as I waited for the group judging to start when the owner/exhibitor of the dog I had disqualified came to speak to the rep. This person asked the rep, “My dog did not draw blood. Is he still disqualified?” Hmmm — maybe my communication was not good enough.
Exhibitors also communicate with judges — sometimes without realizing it. Imagine a judge who has been judging for the past four hours, and has used the same gaiting pattern all day. Finally, Breed X is in the ring, and the fourth person in the class turns to the judge and asks, “Which way do you want me to move? Down and back?” What message do you suppose this sends to the judge?
The judge also communicates with the dog by his posture, position (in front of or to the side of the dog), and by his hands on the dog. An examination should be done quickly, checking for the appropriate nuances of the breed. A judge is to examine the dog confidently and with the proper pace — he is not giving the dog a massage. A good judge communicates what he likes or does not like about a dog to the handler — and whomever is paying attention — by where and how he places his hands. With some breeds, once the judge has examined the dog, he should not go back to touch the dog again without the proper warning to the handler and the dog.
When the judge makes his or her placements, what is being communicated to the handler — and ringside? Actually, the judge is saying to everyone associated with this breed, “These are the dogs that I feel most closely conform to the breed standard, and these are the dogs that should — in some way — be incorporated into your breeding program to help the breed.” He is also acknowledging the success of this dog’s breeding program. The judge is NOT saying, “This dog is ugly” or “I don’t like you or your dog.” It should NEVER be personal. The judge’s sole responsibility in the center of the ring is to show which breeding program is headed in the right direction or is continuing to be successfully breeding to the standard. That is the judge’s most important responsibility, and it should never be shaded by the dog’s ranking.
In truth, the rankings of dogs do not automatically mean that the higher-ranking dog is the best dog of that breed. What the ranking does say is that this dog has been shown a lot and has been very successful in the show ring. This is a special show dog! Very often, the very successful show dog is also of very high quality, but the number of shows — and how competently the dog is shown — does have something to do with the ranking. There could be other high-quality dogs for breeders to consider that are not shown a lot for reasons — the dog does not like to show, the owner does not want to spend the money (yes, shows are expensive), the owner does not want to do all the travel that so many of these dogs and handlers do, or the owner is just not that interested in the show ring. True breeders will find the right dog — sometimes by looking at the breeding that is behind the highly successful dog.
One final thing for all of you who participate in NOHS: It is owner-HANDLED, not owner HANDLER. It is the dog that is being judged — not the handler.
What do you think?