Post by BrianSullivan on Feb 14, 2010 8:41:23 GMT -5
Teens get ready to show top dogs at the Westminster
TEENS READY FOR TOP DOG SHOW
By MARGARET F. • BONAFIDE • February 13, 2010
Two area 14-year-olds say they are unfazed about showing dogs alongside professional handlers at the Westminster Kennel Club 134th Annual Dog Show on Monday and Tuesday in New York City's Madison Square Garden.
Melissa McCloskey, 14, of Jackson and Michael Crudo, 14, of Freehold are showing dogs "up against professional handlers," said Carol Shields, who has trained the two teens to be dog show handlers.
"It is a pretty big deal," Shields said, but one would never know it by the demeanors of McCloskey and Crudo, who are cool and calm about conformation bench shows like Westminster.
Viewers can watch televised highlights of the judging of 2,500 dogs at the show on USA Network and CNBC.
McCloskey is showing Shields' Belgian Malinois on Monday and will show her own dog, a Brittany spaniel, on Tuesday. Crudo will show his 4-year-old shiba inu on Tuesday.
Shields trains handlers at the Clever K9 on Cross Street in Lakewood, where McCloskey and Crudo have been practicing on Mondays with their dogs in preparation for the show. She has worked with the teens for about two years.
Shields has sent both McCloskey and Crudo to show dogs before, and they have won best in show.
"They are very hard workers, dedicated, serious and professional," Shields said. "They take instruction well, and their success proves it. They are a team with the dog."
"Good, very nice," Shields says in a quiet voice as the teens strut with the dogs in the practice ring.
Crudo puts his dog Sumo on the table, where the shiba inu is stacked, or posed, with his head, hind legs and tail positioned at the proper angles.
"Nice on the table, stacked quickly, very good," Shields said.
During the "free baiting" portion of the show, the handlers position the leashed dogs without touching the animal, Shields said. This is where the real skill from their training is critical, she said.
Purebred dogs can be fickle, Shields said.
"A Malinois does not like its feet touched, and they have a high opinion of themselves," she said. "A shiba is a very aloof dog."
(2 of 2)
Both teens are calm and reserved during rehearsal. The shiba is curious about his surroundings, but Crudo is composed. It is important to be that way, Crudo said.
The dog knows "the way you are feeling," Crudo said. "If you are not calm, your dog won't be calm."
McCloskey is an eighth-grade student at Goetz Middle School, Jackson, and Crudo is a freshman at Freehold Township High School.
McCloskey's Brittany, Val, is a 5-year-old female. Shields' Belgian Malinois, Kaze, is a 3-year-old female.
Related
Preparing for the Westminster Dog Show
As for pets, McCloskey is strictly a dog fan.
"Dogs are better than cats because they have a better attention span," she said.
McCloskey also teaches agility, obedience and grooming for dogs with the Ocean County 4H Club.
Working with animals is rewarding for her and good for kids, McCloskey said.
McCloskey bikes her Brittany several times a week for about 3 miles.
Crudo said he enjoys the fundamentals of handling the dogs, including stacking, gaiting or walking-running with the dog and keeping the dog's attention where it should be.
McCloskey and Crudo "are not afraid to try something new," Shields said.
Crudo said he prefers to show medium-size dogs.
They have good height and "are not so small that you have to walk incredibly slow," he said.
TEENS READY FOR TOP DOG SHOW
By MARGARET F. • BONAFIDE • February 13, 2010
Two area 14-year-olds say they are unfazed about showing dogs alongside professional handlers at the Westminster Kennel Club 134th Annual Dog Show on Monday and Tuesday in New York City's Madison Square Garden.
Melissa McCloskey, 14, of Jackson and Michael Crudo, 14, of Freehold are showing dogs "up against professional handlers," said Carol Shields, who has trained the two teens to be dog show handlers.
"It is a pretty big deal," Shields said, but one would never know it by the demeanors of McCloskey and Crudo, who are cool and calm about conformation bench shows like Westminster.
Viewers can watch televised highlights of the judging of 2,500 dogs at the show on USA Network and CNBC.
McCloskey is showing Shields' Belgian Malinois on Monday and will show her own dog, a Brittany spaniel, on Tuesday. Crudo will show his 4-year-old shiba inu on Tuesday.
Shields trains handlers at the Clever K9 on Cross Street in Lakewood, where McCloskey and Crudo have been practicing on Mondays with their dogs in preparation for the show. She has worked with the teens for about two years.
Shields has sent both McCloskey and Crudo to show dogs before, and they have won best in show.
"They are very hard workers, dedicated, serious and professional," Shields said. "They take instruction well, and their success proves it. They are a team with the dog."
"Good, very nice," Shields says in a quiet voice as the teens strut with the dogs in the practice ring.
Crudo puts his dog Sumo on the table, where the shiba inu is stacked, or posed, with his head, hind legs and tail positioned at the proper angles.
"Nice on the table, stacked quickly, very good," Shields said.
During the "free baiting" portion of the show, the handlers position the leashed dogs without touching the animal, Shields said. This is where the real skill from their training is critical, she said.
Purebred dogs can be fickle, Shields said.
"A Malinois does not like its feet touched, and they have a high opinion of themselves," she said. "A shiba is a very aloof dog."
(2 of 2)
Both teens are calm and reserved during rehearsal. The shiba is curious about his surroundings, but Crudo is composed. It is important to be that way, Crudo said.
The dog knows "the way you are feeling," Crudo said. "If you are not calm, your dog won't be calm."
McCloskey is an eighth-grade student at Goetz Middle School, Jackson, and Crudo is a freshman at Freehold Township High School.
McCloskey's Brittany, Val, is a 5-year-old female. Shields' Belgian Malinois, Kaze, is a 3-year-old female.
Related
Preparing for the Westminster Dog Show
As for pets, McCloskey is strictly a dog fan.
"Dogs are better than cats because they have a better attention span," she said.
McCloskey also teaches agility, obedience and grooming for dogs with the Ocean County 4H Club.
Working with animals is rewarding for her and good for kids, McCloskey said.
McCloskey bikes her Brittany several times a week for about 3 miles.
Crudo said he enjoys the fundamentals of handling the dogs, including stacking, gaiting or walking-running with the dog and keeping the dog's attention where it should be.
McCloskey and Crudo "are not afraid to try something new," Shields said.
Crudo said he prefers to show medium-size dogs.
They have good height and "are not so small that you have to walk incredibly slow," he said.