A few weeks ago, I finally had the opportunity to attend a dog show again. I used to show my Labradors in conformation and obedience, and even dabbled in agility and working certificate tests. My son and his father are allergic to dogs, and neither can live with them in the house. It was a heartbreaking necessity to place my pets.
I miss this part of my life, so I went along to hang with the old crowd. The Ann Arbor Kennel Club put on the event, and over a thousand dogs entered the show. The show is held outdoors, under a large tent, with smaller breeds inside. As I was standing under the tent, they handed me a leash to hold, with the warning that “Walker is naughty.”
I stood under this tent, with this “naughty” dog, and began thinking about the huge divide in “naughty” between breeders and pet owners. This “naughty” dog occasionally pulls on his leash or tries to play with other dogs. He was engaged with me and my requests of him, and actively looked for direction.
Wouldn’t you love for your definition of “naughty” to include those behaviors? “Wants my attention.” “Occasionally checks out other dogs.” “Mostly stands around waiting for something to happen.” We’re standing under a tent, with hundreds of other dogs, and can’t hear any barking. No dog fights. Every dog in the place behaves, except one little English Springer puppy that doesn’t want to be brushed.
I was amazed by this realization.

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