Pup stars!

Winning is one thing,preparing them to win is a totally different bone game. “For the obedience trial is like an obstacle course,it’s a whole syllabus which you have to teach the dogs in a classroom format,” Shiv used to begin his trainings at 4 am sharp,and adds that had it not been for the owners keen interest,inclination and encouragement,none of it would’ve been possible in the first place. “Once the owner understands that his pet has the personality and the IQ,and is ready to give you the required time,money,attention,and access,the training process gets streamlined,” he says. But again,it’s an obstacle course,and the dogs,when caught in a crowd,run amock. “You have things like handler in sight,out of sight,and if they don’t see their owner or handler,they freeze,some even show signs of stress!” Shiv elaborates on the military drill full of commands. “Heel,stay,move,come here….they even check the posture,how he kneels,walks to the side…it’s a task,” he adds. For a year,it was school time for the four dogs. Shiv’s van would pick them up,and their training would begin,except for a very pampered Brandy,who made sure Shiv makes her sleep on the bed! “The tantrums of stars!” he laughs,still holding the leash tight. How does he manage to spot a star,and he says “dogs are like humans. If they are fussy,shy and cowards,they’ll never rise,and if they are friendly,greedy as in ambitious and open minded,they are winners.” Guess he spotted them all!

Pooch Lo!
* Dr Rakesh Verma’s Cocker Spaniel,Brandy (Female,18 months old) won in two competitions.
* Arvind Singla’s Shih Tsu Pompom (Male,11 months old) bagged the first prize in puppy.
* Delhi’s Naval Maheshwari’s American Staffordshire Terrier,Bull (Male,18 months old) won the first prize,Best of Breed and 7th Best in Show. He ven got a DVD player!
* Moga’s Inderjit Singh Brar’s British Bulldog Charles (Male,six months old) got the first in puppy.