Sportsmanship

Every event the club hosts is run under AKC rules, and everyone at the site is expected to behave accordingly: members, exhibitors, handlers, families and spectators. What follows is what that means in practice.

The dogs come first

The welfare of the dogs takes priority over any placement, title or point. Bring your dog to the site fit to compete and take it home in the same condition. Keep dogs cool, watered and out of direct sun, never leave a dog in a vehicle in unsafe conditions, and pull an entry rather than run a dog that is lame, in distress or unwell.

Rough handling, harsh corrections and any form of abuse are not tolerated at a club event. Anyone who sees a dog at risk should tell the event chair, the trial secretary or an officer straight away.

Toward judges and stewards

A judge’s decision at a club event is final. You may ask a judge to explain a score or a call after the class has finished and the judge is free, and you should expect a courteous answer. Arguing a placement in the ring, in the aisles or afterwards on social media is not acceptable, and neither is approaching a judge about your dog before you compete.

Stewards, ring crew, timers and lure operators are volunteers. The event does not run without them. Treat their instructions as you would a judge’s.

Toward other competitors

Give other exhibitors room to work, keep your dog under control on lead and off, and keep noise and crating clutter out of gate areas and walkways. Do not distract a dog that is working. Help a newcomer who looks lost; most people at their first trial are.

Comments about another person’s dog, breeding or handling are made to their face and made civilly, or they are not made at all. Gossip and public criticism of exhibitors, members or the club’s officers are outside the standard the club holds itself to.

Winning and losing

Congratulate the winner. If you won, say something generous to the people you beat. Disappointment is normal; taking it out on a judge, a steward, another exhibitor or the dog is not. Stay for the group or the awards if you are asked to, and leave the site as you found it.

Honesty in entries

Enter your dog accurately: the right class, the right jump height, the right measurement, the right registration number and the correct eligibility. Do not enter a dog that is ineligible, and correct an error with the trial secretary as soon as you find it rather than letting it stand.

Spectators, children and visitors

Ask before touching or approaching someone else’s dog. Keep children with you and off the equipment and ring surfaces. Pick up after your own dog everywhere on the site, including the parking lot.

When something goes wrong

Take a concern to the event chair, the trial secretary or a club officer at the event, while it can still be dealt with. Serious matters may be handled under the club’s by-laws or reported to the AKC. Conduct at a club event that falls below this standard can lead to a person being asked to leave the site and to charges under the by-laws.