Greg Strong Seminar

I was looking at the infodog site when I came across information for a dog handling seminar, Greg Strong Seminar - Only 15 Points to Go! As I read through the description of it, I was immediately intrigued. Everything that was listed was of great interest for me to learn. Yet I hesitated about signing up. One, it was in New Jersey and two, I didn't know if it would be too advanced for us seeing as we just started taking our handling classes. So I began to research my fears. Upon looking up the directions, I found that it was  2 1/2 hours away, but it was a nice drive up RT 84 and then over back roads. We didn't have to contend with going through New York and the New Jersey Turnpike. Next I made a phone call to the person organizing the event, Cathy to ask a few questions. I explained to her that we were new to showing and that Sadie would only be 4 1/2 months when we attended.  She assured me that we would be fine and there would be other puppies at the seminar as well. They had hosted this seminar in the past and people loved it and came back year after year. So sign up we did. And let me say it was one of the best decisions that we have made. It was a two day seminar from 9-4 both days. The time just flew by. I was totally captivated by it both days. I felt like a sponge just soaking up all the info I could. I heard several other people also say they wish the seminar was a couple days longer. There was soooo much great information, tips and techniques. He was a excellent speaker and teacher, both in the classroom part of it and when we did the hands on part. He gave us an outline at the start of the seminar and as I looked at it I immediately thought wow, I can't wait to learn and hear about these topics.

He began the seminar with the definition of a Handler: Knowledge to condition, prepare and present a dog to the best ability and apply that knowledge in the ring. And that's what the seminar was built around:
-Condition
-Prepare
-Present


95% success in the ring starts at home – 5% success is at the shows.

If you are not prepared properly, then you have a handicap and are at a disadvantage.  Someone else in the ring will be better prepared and will prevail.

I Loved his analogy of the Handler and the Dog being a  "complete picture" with the dog being the actual picture and the Handler being the frame. You both have to be prepared and do your part because you can have a beautiful picture but if the frame around is terrible it will take away from that beautiful picture and vice a versa. That is SO true!

We learned that our hands are "magic wands" and how, when and why to use them to comfort our dogs.

Greg giving me some helpful tips with Sadie

Fun at the hotel after class

I've had an exhausting day!

Day Two

I can't stress enough how worthwhile this seminar was. I would highly recommend it to anyone new or having difficulty in the ring. I wish there were more seminars like this to expand our knowledge.