A Guide to Dog Sports: From Beginners to Winners

A Guide to Dog Sports is not a training manual. It is a delightfully well-written and humorous collection of suggestions that range from tips for beginning training to choosing a traveling partner you won't want to dump along the roadside. Koshar provides the reader with information that isn't written down anywhere else. How to fill out a premium list and knowing what to pack in the SUV that is headed for a dog event may seem simple, but getting it wrong could result in a bad experience and a dog owner who swears off organized dog events.

Koshar is an experienced trainer and competitor in many areas, As a well-respected obedience instructor, she is more than familiar with the kinds of questions most frequently asked by both dog owners and newcomers to dog sports. Knowing about armbands, how to dress and manners at an event can prevent embarrassment for the novice competitor. Koshar's many years of first hand experience are evident as she describes how to raise, condition and care for performance dogs.

A Guide to Dog Sports is a lot of information in a small package. Readers can learn about Junior Showmanship, Canine Good Citizen training, obedience, tracking, flyball, agility, and field work as they learn practical skills such as how to avoid looking like rookie of the year.

Important life lessons are presented throughout the book. How to win and lose graciously are lessons that we all can use a refresher on from time to time. Chapter 10 addresses the psychology of the owner by helping owners recognize when they are blaming their dogs or making excuses for training problems.

The emphasis of A Guide to Dog Sports is the behavior of the person at the other end of the dog's leash. This is one book that should be required reading for every beginning dog training student.


It might move you to tears   May 15, 2002
Carl Nock, Colonel, USA retired (Montverde, Florida)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Tough old Army Colonels shouldn't cry, but I did when I read the story of "Hulk" (Pgs 81-82). For the love of the dog and for the dog's love is what this book is all about. Clearly, this life long affection for dogs permeates Claire's delightful, witty book about her dog sports adventures and those of her Dogbuddies. Practical lessons learned from years of experience are woven into an instructive book that is fun to read and puts it all in perspective. I don't know of another book like it. I highly recommend it for beginner and "pro" alike.

Carl Nock, Past President Central Florida Hunting Retriever Club, UKC and AKC Hunt Test Judge


Wonderful stories   May 15, 2002
Patricia A. Norris, PhD (Champaign, IL)
I have been a columnist for "Front and Finish: The Dog Trainer's News" for many years, and I occasionally review books related to tracking, a major area of interest in the dog sports. While this book is not focused on the tracking community, all of the advice and wonderful stories certainly apply. I especially hope my readers will pay particular attention to Chapter 6 Getting Your Act Together, Chapter 7 Taking It on the Road, and Chapter 10 Looking Calm or Something Close to It.

People who know Claire Koshar will hear her voice telling these stories as they read. Those who haven't met her will wish they could know her. She is a first class Dogbuddy.


A must-have   May 15, 2002
Patty Ruzzo
DOG SPORTS, FROM BEGINNERS TO WINNERS, is a one of a kind, must have book. In it, the author offers countless tips and techniques that can be used to overcome "comepetition nerves." Funny, entertaining, educational and unique, this book is sure to be a WINNER!