questions for new handler

[aka_yorkie_mama]

I was wondering if there were some questions i should ask when interviewing a new handler ...if anyone can think of any i have an apointment tomorow for a handler thankyou

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by aka_yorkie_mama

I was wondering if there were some questions i should ask when interviewing a new handler ...if anyone can think of any i have an apointment tomorow for a handler thankyou

You need to go on the handler's reputation. Have you seen them handle dogs...how do they present a dog....Is the handler close to where you live, if so, great....that gives you the chance to visit their facility to see how your dog is going to be treated and housed.

My preference would be to go with a handler that is expert in Toy Breeds, specifically Yorkies over All Breed.

If you want recommendations I have a couple that you may want to consider that I highly recommend.

[tegamom1]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

You need to go on the handler's reputation. Have you seen them handle dogs...how do they present a dog....Is the handler close to where you live, if so, great....that gives you the chance to visit their facility to see how your dog is going to be treated and housed.

My preference would be to go with a handler that is expert in Toy Breeds, specifically Yorkies over All Breed.

If you want recommendations I have a couple that you may want to consider that I highly recommend.

Thank goodness, I had you! It's hard to find someone you can really trust without having gone to a lot of shows and watching and talking to other exhibitors. How my dogs are taken care of out of the ring is just as important as how they are presented in the ring. With Mary's help, I got one of the top Yorkie handlers in the country and the only thing I have to worry about is he might start loving her more than me!

[Brooklynn]

I agree with Mary on getting a handler that is usually exclusive in toys or maybe a handler that handles more toys than the larger dogs from all-breed. However, I show my own dogs but if I need a handler I usually hire for ringside. I just can't let my yorkies go off and live anywhere but my house. I know some would disagree that it's not good to ringside but I never had a problem with ringside handling. Now with Radar maybe I would have a problem since he's a momma's boy but I finished him myself and I'm not sure I'd be handing him off now anyway. Again, I just don't let my guys go off.
Donna Bird
Brooklynn's Yorkshire Terriers

[Mardelin]

I agree with you Donna, but if I had to, there is one handler I'd have no qualms in sending them to. I've been to her home, I know how they are housed (inside her home) and have seen the individual attention she gives to each dog. I've also seen how attached they get to her. I sent my Denny to her for training...and to this day if he hears her voice, he does everything to get her attention. Heaven forbid she doesn't take the time to give it to him.

[Brooklynn]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

I agree with you Donna, but if I had to, there is one handler I'd have no qualms in sending them to. I've been to her home, I know how they are housed (inside her home) and have seen the individual attention she gives to each dog. I've also seen how attached they get to her. I sent my Denny to her for training...and to this day if he hears her voice, he does everything to get her attention. Heaven forbid she doesn't take the time to give it to him.

Yes, if I were to send one to a handler it would be Trish as well but when she showed Krissy I handed her off just the day before the show in NY. I just couldn't send her off. Good thing I can train my dogs pretty good. But again I agree if I were to send one Trish would be the one but again..LOL I won't be sending off to a handler ringside will work for me LOL.
Donna

[Mardelin]

Never had to send one off except for training, I traveled with Ron and Lee while he was showing Go-Go...well I take that back he took her for a couple of weeks to bond with her....but, after that she stayed with me.

.....and of course it was to Trish....but, then he was incorrigable.....and I was beyond my wits end. I wouldn't think twice about sending her a dog if I needed. But, then I handle my own dogs.

And not to say the least, she's taken several dogs to the top 10....and of course Smooth to #2. She took Tiger to #4 in 2 1/2 short months.

[yorkiekist]

Definately do you homework!!!!!!!!!!! Both of my beautiful Skye Terriers were "stolen" out of a handlers home in Washington. He was recommemded by the co-owner of my Skyes, so since ther are not many Skyes to show against here in Arizona, I sent them to a person I had never met. Well, 6 months later, they were gone. The "handler" never even showed them once. I dont believe for one second that they were "stolen". I think he knows exactly where they are. This was many yeas ago, but I still cry if I think about them. Its the not knowing that REALLY hurts. I just hope they are well taken care of and loved.
Also, I worked for a handler. He had a wonderful place and took very good care of all the dogs. Most were toys. I took care of the dogs that were not being shown while the handler was gone .
I had a VERY well known toy dog handler show my Alex. She was GREAT!!!!!! It was extremely hard to let him out of my sight after what happened to my Skyes. He was gone for what seemed like a VERY LONG 4 months!!! All the time Alex was gone, she kept in touch. She is the BEST!
Hope this helps, Lynn

[dray]

30 years ago things were a bit different than they are now, for one it did not cost as much to hire a handler. But when I first started out that is what I needed. So I went to the shows and watched the handlers in the ring and out of the ring. I tried to get a peek when they didn't know I was watching them. I wanted to know how my dogs would be treated, what they would be fed, when they were going to be fed. How they were going to be groomed and by who. How many dogs do they travel with, how many of the same sex and breed are they showing at the same time. I did not want my dog and my entries used as a filler dog to finish some one else's.

After I picked my handler then the cost questions came up and how long did they think my dog would be away from home.
The fees can get very expensive now, back then it was just handling and board, now it is a big business and the fees are big too.
They charge for Handling, board, grooming, parking fees, food , gas, traveling expenses, motels, catalog and the list goes on. If your dog wins the breed there is a whole new set of charges for the groups. Oh I forgot the entries for the show too.

I also volunteered to travel with my handler and help out at the shows, this got me a nice discount, the best ever education and a close up look at how my handler treated the dogs in his care.
To this day my first handler is still a very close friend. I would still fly for a weekend and help groom if he needed a hand, but now I show my own dogs.

Over the years I have seen some very bad things at the shows from some handlers, so be careful picking one to take care of your baby. With a coated breed like Yorkies, a handler must be very well know for her or his coat care and handling of the coated toy breeds , not to mention his or her ability to show and love your dog.

I hope this helps...

[Mardelin]

Didn't I just recently hear that someone had sent their dogs (don't know the breed) to a handler and they died of dehydration.

[Brooklynn]

That is why I don't send my dog out with a handler but like Mary said I would with Trish because I actually know her personally. I have to know the person personally or my dog stays with me and I'll do ringside handling. I train my own dog and if I can't we go to handling classes or obedince classes. Just the way I do things. I trust a couple more handlers but again ringside only! And yes what Dray said they should know how to do a coated dog because Yorkies coat like some other coated dogs take special care.
Donna Bird
Brooklynn's Yorkshire Terriers

[nansyorkies]

i was recently at a show when i saw a professional handler get mad at a dog in the 6-9 month group- because he did not get 1st. place- he did something to the dog in the ring- made it holler- when he came out of the ring with it and was going to place it on the table, he had the poor puppy strung up- holding the puppy by the show lead-and puppy dangling in the air.i wish i had had my camera with me, i would have taken pictures and sent them to the owner of the dog. I WORRY ABOUT THE DOG'S TRAC NOW.

[Sugar's Mom]

Originally Posted by nansyorkies

i was recently at a show when i saw a professional handler get mad at a dog in the 6-9 month group- because he did not get 1st. place- he did something to the dog in the ring- made it holler- when he came out of the ring with it and was going to place it on the table, he had the poor puppy strung up- holding the puppy by the show lead-and puppy dangling in the air.i wish i had had my camera with me, i would have taken pictures and sent them to the owner of the dog. I WORRY ABOUT THE DOG'S TRAC NOW.

I also recently saw a well known "professional handler (lady) jerking a dog around even while it was on the table in front of the judge. I couldn't beleive it. The little dog didn't want to do what she was wanting for some reason and she started handling it rough with her hands and jerkeing on it. That is one reason, I want to learn to show my own. Plus, the fact I don't ever want any of mine to be gone from home. I would rather not show than let mine go on extended vists to the handler. you never know what these handlers are going to do. The person I am speaking of sometimes has three or four at one show. How in the world can she be impartial and do the best for each dog?

[tegamom1]

Most handlers show at least 3 or 4 dogs at a show. Trish, who just shows Yorkies, generally takes a class dog, a class bitch and a Special. She loves and cares for each one equally. The Champion is naturally the priority so if the class dog wins, she hands off generally to Ken who is an excellent handler that travels with her. If he has one in the ring, she finds someone of equal ability to go back. No one is ever slighted! As much as I missed CJ the month is was gone, when I saw Trish enter the ring with him I almost cried. He was so beautiful and she presented him in such a way..I was SO proud! And, when he goes back to her, I will miss him, but I won't worry, He has grown to love her too and as she has said, the two of them will be going out and "kick some butt!" All breed handlers sometimes carry 10 to 15 dogs and sometimes have a "staff" of assistants. There are good handlers and there are "not so good" handlers, just are there are breeders, but we certainly can't judge all of them by the actions of a couple.

[aka_yorkie_mama]

ok ladies now you have me officialy freeeeeaked out the meeting didnt go well .. she spent lots of time telling me the "" high profile people she handled for but had no pic she has handled a few toy breeds and in passing stated Yorkies are not one of her choice toy breeds and i could buy one of her show puppies Pomeranians and she would cut me a deal on the handling i have been left depressed and wondering if i should just get a trainer and look like a fool out in the ring