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The Winning Edge: Show Ring Secrets (Howell reference books) |  | Author: George Alston
Brand: Wiley & Sons
Category: Book
List Price: $27.95
Buy New: $16.31
as of 3/21/2010 02:40 MDT details
You Save: $11.64 (42%)
New (24) Used (22) from $14.94
Seller: indoobestsellers
Rating:  43 reviews
Sales Rank: 58585
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Pages: 176
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 9.4 x 6.2 x 0.6
MPN: 876058349
ISBN: 0876058349
Dewey Decimal Number: 636.70888
UPC: 785555038103
EAN: 9780876058343
ASIN: 0876058349
Publication Date: May 16, 1992
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Preparation | | • | Grooming | | • | Etiquette | | • | Training | | • | Psychology |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
This book is geared towards the amateur exhibitor who is already familiar with the basics of showing a dog. It is for those that are truly interested in the sport of dogs, and who plan to hone their skills in the ring to produce more consistent results. Includes chapters on preparation, grooming, etiquette, training, psychology and more. The author, George G. Alston, has provided a good read for anyone involved in conformation. (Hardcover, 150 pages)
Amazon.com Review
George Alston, an expert dog handler for more than 30 years, teams with author Connie Vanacore on The Winning Edge: Show Ring Secrets. Combining sports psychology and dog showing, topics include psychocybernetics, the making of a show dog, learning from the competition, and etiquette and sportmanship. The Winning Edge: Show Ring Secrets is "an essential for every dog exhibitor's bookshelf."
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 43
 owner/handler's best friend November 30, 2009
Mary (Colchester, CT)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is a great book for the owner handler. Yes, George tells it like he sees it and from what I have experienced as an owner/handler...he is spot on! Some may not appreciate his frank approach, but couldn't put the book down. Lots of practical information that helps the handler to focus on the important things and present your dog in the best possible view. The only thing better than the book will be attending one of his seminars, which I will do in the next month.
recommended October 12, 2009
Just Me (here and there across the USA)
This book was recommended by Pincie Creek Aussies for its info on the right "frame of mind" to win.
Excellent book August 24, 2009
Judith Ransom (Spokane, Wa)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This book is well written and has provided extensive important information to those of us that will be in the show ring. It was amazing to me to discover all the things I thought were correct only to discover they were not. Turns out I was my dogs biggest handicap!! I am grateful for this book and the knowledge I've recieved as a result.
 Not Worth Buying, But a Pretty Good Read February 5, 2009
Silver Dragon (New York, NY)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
A friend of mine loaned me this book to read. The first thing you must know before you get this book is that unless you've been in the ring at least once, you won't understand a single word of what Alston says.
Alston reveals many showring "secrets" (like sucking on a mint if you're nervous so your dog won't smell the adrenaline in your breath and get nervous himself), and there are a lot of interesting stories and good tips throughout the book.
The one problem of this book is his utter contempt for owner-handlers. He seems to think that they don't know one end of the dog from the other, and that all they do is complain when they don't win and gripe about the politics, while the professional handler is the expert in all situations and never complains about the politics (which is untrue: I know this lady who is a professional handler AND a judge, and she is always complaining about the politics in the ring).
If you seek a book that teaches you how to stack, bait, gait, etc. correctly, then this is not the book for you: Caroline Coile's Show Me! will fit your needs.
Well, DUH! November 1, 2008
hummerfriend (Sacramento, CA United States)
First of all I'd like to point out that in the introduction of this book it says exactly who it is aimed at: the owner-handler who already knows the basics of showing and wants to beat the pros.
I think that makes it fairly obvious that you will not be getting neophyte-level instruction and at the same time you will be getting a pro's perspective.
With that said I could not put this book down. It's the second one I've purchased (get Peter Green's "New Secrets of Successful Dog Showing" for a great entry-level book) and I have already gained innumerable tips and insight that I will be putting to immediate use. What I found most refreshing was the perspective that the owner-handler is actually at an ADVANTAGE over the pro because 1) he probably only has one dog to focus on and 2) all things being equal the pro is going to be held to a higher standard of performance in the ring. Makes sense to me!
I won't go into every detail of the book but I do have to say that what I appreciated the most was the admonishment to treat your dog as though they are a fine piece of art in the ring. Every touch, every motion on your part should give the impression that you are displaying a priceless Ming vase. So many times I've seen frustrated handlers (let's be honest here--I've BEEN one!) whose handling belays their frustration...particularly if the dog is getting wiggy in the ring. I am going to work on that illusion....that I am presenting a priceless china cup to the judge and they should feel honored to be allowed to handle it. My dog deserves that high respect regardless of whether or not he's the best specimen in the ring that day!
There is a lot of info on campaigning in the Specials that I probably won't use, however I still mined it for jewels.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 43
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