How to Train Your Dog for the Westminster Dog Show

 The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show doesn’t start until February 12, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start preparing your dog now to compete in the most prestigious dog show in the United States! In fact, preparation should begin long before you hit the show floor. The first step towards competing in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show (and any other dog show) involves research and preparation, including these ten steps to successful dog training for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Get a professional trainer

The Westminster dog show requires that your four-legged friend is obedient and well-behaved, so you’ll need a reputable professional trainer to get your dog up to snuff. Schedule a consultation with them, have a chat about what you’re trying to accomplish, and then bring your pooch in so they can do their thing. They should provide training tips as well as grooming instructions.

Start early

If you're a first-time owner, don't just throw a toy in your dog's face and expect him to learn how to retrieve it. Start small, with pieces of cheese or meat, by placing them at his feet. If he doesn't chase after them or eat them after an hour or so, try again with slightly smaller pieces of food. When he catches on and drops his treat at your feet consistently, move on to more advanced training techniques like the place (getting him used to lying down and staying in one place) and getting him used to wearing a collar.

Practice, practice, practice!

The dog show community is rife with debate over which training methods are most effective. The answer is that it depends on your dog and your goals, but in general, you should focus on obedience training first and agility later (if at all). Think of agility as a sport that builds off of basic obedience skills; if your dog can't walk nicely on a leash or respond to a simple command like sit, it will be challenging (though not impossible) to train him for agility. It's best to get these fundamentals down before moving on to more complicated behaviors. Before practicing, get familiar with AKC rules and regulations. If you want to participate in competitive events like confirmation obedience or rally/obedience trials, research those as well.

Keep it fun

While your dog must be properly trained, remember that learning should be fun. The most effective training methods are ones that capture and keep your dog’s attention, like treats and toys. Try using a toy or treat dispenser toy and reward them with treats only when they follow through on their commands. Whenever you see him or her doing something right, give them a treat right away. You can also use his favorite playtime as training time by asking him to do certain tricks like sit before playing fetch or tug of war. These types of games will help both you and your dog learn while having fun at the same time!

Don’t forget about basics like sitting and lying down

Most people think that dog training is something only professionals should handle, but you can easily teach your dog basic commands. Start by teaching him how to sit, lie down and stay. As time goes on, gradually increases his obedience training with simple tricks like fetching and giving a paw. If you follow these steps and spend some quality time with your pet each day, soon he’ll be eager to impress anyone who comes over!

Stay consistent in your training throughout the year

You may know about potty training, sit, sit, ay, and other basics. But if you want your dog to be successful in a competitive environment like the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, then you have a lot of work ahead of you. You'll need to make sure your dog knows his breed’s standards and how he's supposed to look while standing or sitting during judging—and that can take years. Be consistent with your commands at home so that when it comes time for competition, your dog knows exactly what's expected of him.