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Loose Lead

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Loose Lead Nancy Francis

       Foreword vii

1 Adelene Cullum 1

2 Lou Pardo 7

3 Ch. Duskin's Princess Shellie, U.D. ("Duchess") 11

4 Weimar Castle 17

5 Adelene Pardo, Professional All-Breed Handler 25

6 Great Handlers and Judges 31

7 Dog Show Stories 37

8 On Teaching 51

9 On Judging 57

10   Today 67

11   What Is Loose-Lead Handling? 69

12   Chains and Leads 75

13   Movement 81

14   Ring Patterns 87

15   Stacking 91

16   That Winning Attitude 99

17   Dressing for the Ring 103

18   Time, Patience and Love 107

19   Baiting the Dog 113

20   At the Show 121

21   Show Your Dog! 129

Samples

 Chapter 11

WHAT IS LOOSE LEAD HANDLING?

 Years ago one of the great handlers of the day showed a whippet at Westminster.  For Best in Show competition, he used a rescoe lead, but he pulled the slide clasp back so it had a big loop and basically it just laid on the dog's shoulders.  That dog just gaited around and did his job with his head up.  They won Best in Show that night, and the commentator said, "And it couldn't have been a looser lead."

Adelene Pardo teaches the art of loose-lead conformation handling, believed by many to be the best possible way to show a dog because it allows more natural movement around the ring. There are many conformation showing techniques and theories advocated by countless experts, but  “Adelene’s way” of loose-lead handling is as successful today as it was 40 years ago. The following chapters present a framework for using loose-lead handling that will enable the reader to show his dog to its maximum potential.

A dog moving around the show ring on a loose lead presents a beautiful picture of fluid, balanced movement.  Loose lead handling utilizes a relaxed lead, with the collar or chain riding delicately on the dog’s top neck bones, enabling the dog to move on his own center of gravity.  A loose lead does not necessarily imply that the collar or chain is also loose.  Successful loose lead handling uses placement of the chain to communicate with the dog.  That communication cannot be achieved if the chain is too loose or too tight.

One ring of the collar must be placed at the center of the dog's throat to enable the handler to be in touch with and control the dog.  Through practice the handler is able to balance the chain gently on the top of the dog's neck bones.  Subtle corrections are communicated to the dog through the chain by tugging the lead and then relaxing it to its original position.

A dog pulled up or strung up very tightly by the chain and lead is unable to move around the ring in a natural, balanced gait.  The "string-‘em-up" technique of handling is very commonly employed in the ring, because that style does not require as much training.  Mrs. Pardo contends that any dog can be trained to show on a loose lead, although some dispute this point.  But she cautions that using a loose lead requires a certain amount of training for the dog and handler.

Many professional handlers agree that using a loose lead gives the dog a better appearance. But they also acknowledge that professional handlers don't normally have the time for training individual dogs that is available to owner-handlers.  They point out that some dogs will move on a loose lead naturally, and some will not.  During her handling career, Adelene always took the time to train her dogs to show on a loose lead.

Mrs. Pardo began to learn loose lead handling at her first dog show.  She became acquainted with many accomplished handlers early in her career and noticed that the most successful ones used a loose lead–or at least a partially loose lead–when moving dogs around the ring.  She studied the more competitive and winning dogs and how the handlers moved them.  She took copious notes and became skilled at correct use of the chain and lead.  She learned that the dog should be noticed, not the handler.  "Nothing should distract from the dog," she states.  And she observes that a handler holding his dog on a tight lead, often struggling to hold him in place, distracts from the appearance of the dog.

A dog moving on a loose lead is not being pulled or tugged.  Many handlers draw the dog's lead up tight, often pulling his feet off the floor and causing him to lose his balance.  She offers the following examples: "If someone is helping you down the stairs, and they take your arm and pull it up, you are off balance.  You'll fall instead of being able to walk down the stairs in a normal position.  Similarly, when a child is learning to walk, an adult walking with the child will pull him up by the hand, and the child cannot really balance because his feet just barely touch the ground.  Holding a tight lead on a dog pulls him off-balance and affects his movement.  And a dog's movement is the most important element in showing."

Any handling style should allow the dog to hold his head in the appropriate position required by the particular breed, but loose lead handling also provides the handler with options should a correction be necessary.  A gentle tug and then relaxation of the lead will communicate with the dog through the chain and remind him to hold his head as he has been trained.  Due to varying bone structures and functions for which they were bred, different breeds of dogs carry their heads in distinct positions.  For example, terriers carry their heads higher than sporting dogs.  A Lhasa Apso or an Italian Greyhound will hold his head high.  Border Collies should drop their heads level with their backs, but a Doberman carries his head high.  Sporting dogs generally carry their heads a little above the withers.  According to Adelene, any dog can be trained to hold his head in the proper position, and a loose lead can be used to correct and facilitate position of the head.

A common misconception regarding loose lead handling is that the lead should be extremely loose.  The lead should be relaxed just enough so the dog is flowing or moving easily, and minor corrections can be achieved through quick tugs and releases on the lead.

After being trained, most dogs moving on a loose lead will try their best to do what the handler is asking of them.  A well-bred dog will just naturally move according to his breed standard if he is well put together and handled in a way that enables correct movement.  Adelene points out, however, that another key to successful showing is to start with a well-bred dog.

Adelene summarizes that the dog should move around the ring on a loose lead at all times, with the handler maintaining complete control through proper positioning and use of the choke chain.  "An important point is training.  A dog must be well trained to show successfully on a loose lead," she adds, concluding, "Training plus time, patience, and love are required to teach a dog to show on a loose lead."