YOU SAID IT
Apprenticeships
BY ELAINE J . LESSIG
There are generous members of the fancy eager to share their skills and knowledge .
Families in medieval times would send their sons off to guildsmen ( tradesmen ) to spend years learning their trades . Those young men were indentured to their instructors , required to work for free until they “ repaid ” the cost of their training . They then became the next generation that prospered in their designated trades . It proved to be a very successful concept . From that group , a new class of respected businessmen and community leaders grew to prominence .
Today we see apprenticeships in the construction trades and in many other areas . They differ from internships in that they are longer-term commitments with more training involved . What has set the apprenticeship apart is that the apprentice seeks the position and should have a job at the end of the training period .
What does all this have to do with our dog show lives in the 21st century ? Exhibitors , breeders , handlers , show chairs and judges will succeed at a higher level when they put time and energy into apprenticeships . At every level of this sport , there are ample opportunities and generous members of the fancy eager to share their skills and knowledge . Your task is to seek them out , demonstrate genuine interest and make a sincere commitment .
Exhibitors . Is there anything more frightening for new exhibitors than walking into the ring for the first time ? Before they do , they should consider attending a handling seminar . These are often given by a former or current professional handler who can share the tricks of the trade . Then newcomers can practice what they ’ ve learned at a local handling class , along with fellow classmates and an instructor who knows the ropes . New exhibitors should keep improving their handling skills with additional seminars and classes because , just as with everything in life , the more they know , the better they will do .
Breeders . Breeding is an art . There is so much to learn and consider : reading pedigrees , choosing mates , doing health testing , maintaining pregnant bitches , whelping the litter and caring for newborns . Apprenticing with a breeder long before a first attempt is essential for success . I had the good fortune to learn at the side of an accomplished Shetland Sheepdog breeder while I was still only exhibiting my Cavaliers . I helped at several deliveries and visited the puppies regularly . My unexpected trial by fire occurred when my friend left me to watch over her mother-to-be while she went to a local Obedience trial ( long before cell phones ). Of course , no sooner had she left than labor began , but I knew what to do . With her husband ’ s help and everything at the ready , we had five glorious puppies , a clean whelping box , a content mom nursing her babies and a much relieved me once the breeder arrived home .
Pro Handlers . The American Kennel Club , through its Registered Handlers ’ Program , encourages member handlers to offer talented juniors the opportunity to serve an apprenticeship . The apprentices get to learn firsthand the daily responsibilities and challenges that go along with getting dogs ready for the ring and caring for them when they are not in the ring . Sometimes they even have the opportunity to show a dog too . With guidance and patience from the professionals , the apprentices gain confidence and experience that will serve them well if they decide to continue on as assistants . With years of experience , the most skilled of these young handlers will blossom into the successful professionals of the future .
Show Chairs . Show chairs start out as club members who offer their time and energy to the show committee . Year after year , they do a good job at whatever they do , whether it is hospitality , parking or trophies . With each job comes more experience and knowledge . Time spent with the show committee allows a window into the totality of show planning , organization and implementation . The jobs get more complex , take more time , and require creativity and innovation . Through those many steps and challenges , a new show chairman takes the reins , ready to lead and seek new committee members to complete the job .
Judges . Good judges find themselves in a perpetual apprenticeship as they go beyond their original breed ( s ). To accurately and respectfully judge every breed , judges must constantly hone their skills . Days spent at judges ’ institutes , seminars and specialties go hand in hand with kennel visits , in-ring and ringside mentoring , sweepstakes and special events . There is question after question to ask , and answers to understand and incorporate . All that is just the tip of the iceberg . Step by step , layer upon layer , we learn to effectively and efficiently place the dogs . We learn from each other , fine-tuning our skills .
Using apprenticeships as a gradual and effective method to learn and apply our skills benefits all of us who love our special world . It proves to be time well spent . Give it a try . DIR
70 DOGSinREVIEW . com