Bench Training Basics

Basically the bench show is a conformation show where your dog stands on a show bench and is inspected by a show judge. The dog should hold as close to still as possible in the possition you place them in for how ever long it takes the judge to make his inspection and decisions. The dog should be as close to breed specifications as possible, should not be nippy, should not shy from the judge and should allow the judge to handle any part of his body without too much moving around. The judge will look at the dogs mouth, feet, feel for muscle and some times feel the tail to see if it's a natural bobtail or docked tail.

The following photos will show basically how to set a dog up on bench. Please remember that no two dogs are alike and each individual dog will need to be set up for its body shape. Dogs with high hips for instance, will need to be stretched out a little more to lower there hip and make a flatter back.

Photo 1

With your dog standing on the training surface, pick his front end up from under the chest to get him as straight as possible. Set him down and adjust the feet in a straight line. The feet should be straight in line with each other when viewed from the side. You can use a straight line drawn on the bench if you need to.

Photo2

Look at your dog from the front. Most of the time you will see that your dogs front legs are canted in at the bottom making the chest look narrow. Move the front legs out to make them straight and the chest wider. Be sure the feet are facing forward and are not turned in or out. Also make sure they are in line with each other.

Photos 3 & 4

Next you want to make your dog "stand on his toes". To do this, grasp a good handfull of skin between and slightly behind the front legs. Pinch and pull down slightly, just enough to make your dog lean forward. You may need to move forward or back just a little to find the right spot. When you hit this spot your dog will instantly lean forward and at the same time will clinch his front feet, making them "knuckle up".

Move to the rear feet and set them in line with the front feet. The dogs feet should make a rectange when set properly. You will want to stretch them back just a little to make the dogs back straight and also to knuckle up the back feet. Again, make sure the feet are straight and not kicked out to one side or the other. You should also be able to see the muscle in the dogs back legs when set properly.

Photo 5

When viewed from the front the dogs front legs should be straight and inline with the back feet. The chest should look wide and strong. The feet should be knuckled up and facing straight forward.

Photo 6

From the rear the legs and feet should be inline with the front feet. Again, make sure the feet are straight and not turned in or out. Rember to be sure the feet are in a straight line across the other way too!

Photo 7

When your dog is stood up properly he should look simlar to this. His back should be straight, front legs straight down, back legs stretched slightly back,the head should be held level or slightly elivated and you can eather hold the tail up or just leave it alone. I tend to hold my dogs tail up because it makes her stand more solid and it also adds just a little more class.

Some dogs are very leggy on the back end thus looking like there hips are way higher than there shoulders. These dogs tend to look sway backed and need to be adjusted a little different. All you need to do is stretch the back end out a little at a time till the back is fairly straight. These dogs rarely will have a straight back but you will be surprised at how straight it will look. You can also "goose" them under the belly to cause them to tighten there back up.

Experament with your dog and see what looks best. No two dogs are the same and each needs to be worked with and seen what makes that particualar dog do what you want.

When your dog will hold in his show possition for several minutes, will allow you to back off and look or will let a helper walk up and "examine" him, then he is ready for a bench show.

I hope this has helped in your understanding of how to set up a dog for bench. It is best to start a dog young but any dog should be able to learn to "stand"on a bench. Good luck and hope to see ya around at the shows!!!

Rachel