Book Review: Successful Obedience Handling

   Have you ever been interested in showing your dog in obedience? Maybe you have a dog that you've taken to obedience classes, or trained yourself, and you would like to enter your dog - to try for a qualifying score - and to get out and chat with other people who are just as interested in the latest flea remedy as you are. However, it is a big jump between taking your dog to an obedience class and actually entering him in a show. This gap is bridged by Barbara S. Handler's book, Successful Obedience Handling (Alpine Publications, 1991).

   Handler explains how to fill out an entry form, which class you should enter, what exercises are done in each class, what kinds of leashes and collars are acceptable, how to avoid points off for handling errors, and whether a performance by your dog would be likely to result in a passing score (what if he lags at the heel? moves his foot during a stand? lifts a leg on the corner post of the ring? - it has happened!). Proofing exercises (distractions to see how well your dog remembers his training), the difference between 'fun' matches and sanctioned matches, and good photo examples (showing breeds such as the Irish Wolfhound, Bernese Mountain Dog, and Kuvasz doing obedience work - if they can do it, why not an Anatolian?) are included.

   There is also a handy column of summarized information running down the far right and far left sides of the pages, for quick reference. This book contains the kind of information that is usually only attained after years of experience in obedience handling. However, it is not a basic training manual; the emphasis here is on polishing the basic work that you and your dog have all ready done.