Page 87 - Aussie Magazine no1, 2023

Pines Lover Boy, "LB" is truly my Ribbon
heart dog, he won multiple Best
in shows as well at the National
specialty and in 2021 was the
Number 1 Schipperke in the US. I
also own and co-bred LB’s son CH
Whispering Pines Covert Op, "Spy"
who is a Multiple Group winner, What are the
Reserve Best in show winner and top most common
Schipperke in the US. Spy was also a reasons dog
top dog in many other countries. I have owners need your
gained an amazing team that are all involved
with my Schipperkes which allows for them to be handling expertise?
shown all over the world. A lot of times owners can't
take the time off from work
How long have you been handling and what
drew you to becoming a professional handler? to show their dogs or they
I started showing dogs in Junior Showmanship just don't enjoy being in the
from the age of 10 and handlers would ask me to ring. A lot of owners just
help them hold dogs or take a dog back into the enjoy watching their dog
ring. After getting to enjoy not just my own dogs show without having the
but other people's as well I knew that's what I
wanted to do. I started handling professionally stress of making sure they
when I was 18. have put the dogs' feet in
the right spot or if they have
What is your training and teaching philosophy? the dog set up in time for the
It's all about consistency to me. If you keep
changing your technique and what you have judge to look at them.
already trained the dog they won't know what
you're asking of them and shut down. I always try
to train all of the dogs using the same commands. show are house-trained so when they come and
stay with me, they get to sleep in the house just
What do you think is the key to being a like they would with their owner. I also like to take
successful handler? the dogs on hikes and swimming on my days off,
I think the key is just work. We spend every day which is good exercise and good for their mental
with the dogs and it's not just about running stability. We ask so much of the dogs we show so
around the ring making them look pretty. You the least we can do is let them enjoy their time off
have to make sure the crates are clean, water as we do.
buckets are full of fresh water, food bowls are
clean, scooping poop, bathing, training and so How do you choose which dogs and owners you
many other things. While doing these chores we handle for? When you have more than one to
spend so much time with the dogs, they learn to take into the same Group, how do you determine
trust us and look at us as their other owner, the which has first call on your services?
dogs are happier and in turn, will show better. Any time someone wants me to show a dog
for them I ask to see what they look like first. I
What do you think is the key to having a good am always very honest with people and will
bond with the dog you are handling? tell them if I think their dog will win or not. If I
Mostly, what I have said in the last question but don't think the dog will do well in the ring, I
I also treat them like my own. A lot of dogs that I will explain that to the owner and most of the

A Worldwide Magazine for the Aussie • Issue 1/2023 | 87