Any dog can have a champion day

There are also herding, weight-pulling, and tracking competitions, as well as "rally." In a rally competition, dog and handler move from station to station over a long course. At each station the dog performs a command similar to those in the obedience competitions. Other competitions are designed to test the skills of specific breeds of dogs. While some contests are open only to purebred dogs, others are open to anyone who loves dogs and wants to show off the skills of his or her canine friend.

Many kids begin with Junior Handlers contests. Kids must show their dogs in a manner similar to that of the conformation events - but in this event, the handlers are the ones being judged, not the dogs. Mariah Lee of Ogden, Utah, is 10 years old and has just begun competing as a junior handler after three months of training.

Early this month Mariah won her first competition at a Junior Handler show in Salt Lake City. Mariah walked her Boston terrier, Percy, around the ring to show the judge how well Percy moved. This is called "gaiting."

Mariah then lifted Percy onto a table for the judge to examine. She carefully placed his legs in the proper position and lifted his head to show him in his best light. This is called "stacking." After the judge examined each dog and the way the handler had presented it, Mariah was awarded first prize.

"Junior Handler is a great way for kids to get started," says Kyle Hennefer. He teaches classes to help kids learn how to train and enter their pets in dog shows. "They learn the proper procedures and how to follow instructions, and become better competitors when they enter the other competitions," he says.

Mariah learned some of her skills from Mr. Hennefer. She practices at home with Percy, 10 or 15 minutes at a time.

Kai Noa of Orem, Utah, began in a Junior Handler competition when he was 9. It has led to what he hopes will be a lifetime hobby of working with animals. Now 17, Kai has collected many prizes and awards and now is paid by other dog owners to show their dogs in conformation and obedience competitions. Kai also teaches obedience classes and helps run an organization that rescues stray animals and finds homes for them.

While Kai plans on a career as an attorney, dog shows and other activities play an important role in his life. During a recent show in Salt Lake City, he was busy all day showing different dogs and caring for them between competitions. Some of his dogs won prizes and some didn't, but it was a day filled with rewards for Kai - and for all the kids and dogs who joined in the show.

Would you like to become involved in dog shows and competitions? Here are some tips:

Take your dog to obedience classes. Teach your dog to obey simple commands, like "sit" and "stay." Good training techniques use praise and reward, not scolding, to train dogs. Let your dog get used to being around other dogs without barking or challenging them.

Go to local dog shows. Leave your own dog at home at first, until you're sure your pet will stay calm around a lot of other dogs. Watch the different competitions. Which do you like best? Which are the best fit for your dog? People at the show will be happy to talk to you about your dog's abilities and where to train for each competition. Classes are often available to help you and your dog get started.

Start with short training sessions a few times each week. After 10 or 15 minutes, your dog will probably lose interest and want to play or rest. That's OK. Your dog will soon get used to training longer. You may never need to train more than half an hour a few times a week - unless you get into some serious competition.

Have fun. It's important to enjoy working with your dog. Praise your pet often. Competition and training should be fun for both of you.

You can get information about dog shows in your area from these websites:

American Kennel Club: www.akc.org/events

United States Dog Agility Association: www.usdaa.com

United Kennel Club: www.ukcdogs.com/dogevents

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