Vicki discusses the value of setting specific, detailed goals for manifesting and creating the things we want to accomplish. 

Pep Talk 1 - This is the first of several pep talk episodes where Vicki will give you a pep talk for on the way to the dog show. Listen to feel relaxed, inspired and encouraged. 

Vicki discusses what NOT to do when your dog backs away, sits down or tries to avoid the judge's exam.

Vicki is interviewed by dog trainer and podcaster Chelsea Murray about her new book, The Calm Before the Ring - Managing Performance Anxiety in Dog Shows and Sports.   

Official Standard of the Poodle The Standard for the Poodle (Toy variety) is the same as for the Standard and Miniature varieties except as regards heights. General Appearance: Carriage and Condition - That of a very active, intelligent and elegant- appearing dog, squarely built, well proportioned, moving soundly and carrying himself proudly. Properly clipped in the traditional fashion and carefully groomed, the Poodle has about him an air of distinction and dignity peculiar to himself. Size, Proportion, Substance: Size - The Standard Poodle is over 15 inches at the highest point of the shoulders. Any Poodle which is 15 inches or less in height shall be disqualified from competition as a Standard Poodle. The Miniature Poodle is 15 inches or under at the highest point of the shoulders, with a minimum height in excess of 10 inches. Any Poodle which is over 15 inches or is 10 inches or less at the highest point of the shoulders shall be disqualified from competition as a Miniature Poodle. The Toy Poodle is 10 inches or under at the highest point of the shoulders. Any Poodle which is more than 10 inches at the highest point of the shoulders shall be disqualified from competition as a Toy Poodle. As long as the Toy Poodle is definitely a Toy Poodle, and the Miniature Poodle a Miniature Poodle, both in balance and proportion for the Variety, diminutiveness shall be the deciding factor when all other points are equal. Proportion - To insure the desirable squarely built appearance, the length of body measured from the breastbone to the point of the rump approximates the height from the highest point of the shoulders to the ground. Substance - Bone and muscle of both forelegs and hindlegs are in proportion to size of dog. Head and Expression: (a) Eyes - very dark, oval in shape and set far enough apart and positioned to create an alert intelligent expression. Major fault: eyes round, protruding, large or very light. (b) Ears - hanging close to the head, set at or slightly below eye level. The ear leather is long, wide and thickly feathered; however, the ear fringe should not be of excessive length. (c) Skull - moderately rounded, with a slight but definite stop. Cheekbones and muscles flat. Length from occiput to stop about the same as length of muzzle. (d) Muzzle - long, straight and fine, with slight chiseling under the eyes. Strong without lippiness. The chin definite enough to preclude snipiness. Major fault: lack of chin. Teeth - white, strong and with a scissors bite. Major fault: undershot, overshot, wry mouth. Neck, Topline, Body: Neck well proportioned, strong and long enough to permit the head to be carried high and with dignity. Skin snug at throat. The neck rises from strong, smoothly muscled shoulders. Major fault: ewe neck. The topline is level, neither sloping nor roached, from the highest point of the shoulder blade to the base of the tail, with the exception of a slight hollow just behind the shoulder. Body - (a) Chest deep and moderately wide with well sprung ribs. (b) The loin is short, broad and muscular. (c) Tail straight, set on high and carried up, docked of sufficient length to insure a balanced outline. Major fault: set low, curled, or carried over the back. Forequarters: Strong, smoothly muscled shoulders. The shoulder blade is well laid back and approximately the same length as the upper foreleg. Major fault - steep shoulder. Forelegs - Straight and parallel when viewed from the front. When viewed from the side the elbow isPage 2 of 3 directly below the highest point of the shoulder. The pasterns are strong. Dewclaws may be removed. Feet - The feet are rather small, oval in shape with toes well arched and cushioned on thick firm pads. Nails short but not excessively shortened. The feet turn neither in nor out. Major fault - paper or splay foot. Hindquarters: The angulation of the hindquarters balances that of the forequarters. Hindlegs straight and parallel when viewed from the rear. Muscular with

Show Dog Prep School Founder and Lead Instructor Vicki Ronchette discusses positive reinforcement (+R) and the other quadrants of operant conditioning learning theory and how to be sure you are utilizing it. 

Vicki talks to renowned dog trainer, author, international speaker and German Shepherd Dog breeder, Suzanne Clothier on raising a singleton puppy.   www.showdogprepschool.com www.suzanneclothier.com  

SDPS Founder and Lead Instructor, Vicki Ronchette interviews German Pinscher, Amy Issleib of Temerity German Pinschers. 

Dachshund Breeder/Owner/Handler, Vicki and Barbara Reisinger discuss evaluating litters, grading different breeds, breeding and figuring it all out.

Show Dog Prep School Founder and Lead Instructor Vicki Ronchette talks with fellow pro trainer and SDPS Instructor Andrea Stone about Littermate Syndrome. Is this an actual thing? What does the term mean and where did it come from?   www.showdogprepschool.com

Show Dog Prep School Founder and Lead Instructor Vicki Ronchette discusses bad mouthing judging and other dogs at dog shows and online.    www.showdogprepschool.com

SDPS Founder and Lead Instructor discusses finding the help you need from someone who can help rather than going to the same source for all your questions.

SDPS Founder and Lead Instructor, Vicki Ronchette discusses waiting to show sensitive puppies as we help them grow more confident and outgoing.

SDPS Founder and Lead Instructor, Vicki Ronchette offers another viewpoint on people showing dogs who only need majors to finish.

SDPS Founder and Lead Instructor Vicki Ronchette explains how people name show dogs and how kennel names and call names might be chosen and used.

SDPS Founder and Lead Instructor Vicki Ronchette discusses the importance and reason for making it a point to attend "the Big Three", Westminster, Orlando and your National Specialty shows.

SDPS Founder and Lead Instructor, Vicki Ronchette discusses the importance of supporting our puppy people when an issue arises and avoiding blaming others. 

Official Standard of the SamoyedGeneral Conformation: (a) General Appearance-The Samoyed, being essentially a workingdog, should present a picture of beauty, alertness and strength, with agility, dignity and grace. Ashis work lies in cold climates, his coat should be heavy and weather-resistant, well groomed, andof good quality rather than quantity. The male carries more of a "ruff" than the female. He shouldnot be long in the back as a weak back would make him practically useless for his legitimatework, but at the same time, a close-coupled body would also place him at a great disadvantage asa draft dog. Breeders should aim for the happy medium, a body not long but muscular, allowingliberty, with a deep chest and well-sprung ribs, strong neck, straight front and especially strongloins. Males should be masculine in appearance and deportment without unwarrantedaggressiveness; bitches feminine without weakness of structure or apparent softness oftemperament. Bitches may be slightly longer in back than males. They should both give theappearance of being capable of great endurance but be free from coarseness. Because of thedepth of chest required, the legs should be moderately long. A very short-legged dog is to bedeprecated. Hindquarters should be particularly well developed, stifles well bent and anysuggestion of unsound stifles or cowhocks severely penalized. General appearance shouldinclude movement and general conformation, indicating balance and good substance.(b) Substance-Substance is that sufficiency of bone and muscle which rounds out a balance withthe frame. The bone is heavier than would be expected in a dog of this size but not so massive asto prevent the speed and agility most desirable in a Samoyed. In all builds, bone should be inproportion to body size. The Samoyed should never be so heavy as to appear clumsy nor so lightas to appear racy. The weight should be in proportion to the height.(c) Height - Males: 21 to 23½ inches; females: 19 to 21 inches at the withers. An oversized orundersized Samoyed is to be penalized according to the extent of the deviation.(d) Coat (Texture and Condition) - The Samoyed is a doublecoated dog. The body should bewell covered with an undercoat of soft, short, thick, close wool with longer and harsh hairgrowing through it to form the outer coat, which stands straight out from the body and should befree from curl. The coat should form a ruff around the neck and shoulders, framing the head(more on males than on females). Quality of coat should be weather resistant and consideredmore than quantity. A droopy coat is undesirable. The coat should glisten with a silver sheen.The female does not usually carry as long a coat as most males and it is softer in texture.(e) Color - Samoyeds should be pure white, white and biscuit, cream, or all biscuit. Any othercolors disqualify.Movement: (a) Gait - The Samoyed should trot, not pace. He should move with a quick agilestride that is well timed. The gait should be free, balanced and vigorous, with good reach in theforequarters and good driving power in the hindquarters. When trotting, there should be a strongrear action drive. Moving at a slow walk or trot, they will not single-track, but as speed increasesthe legs gradually angle inward until the pads are finally falling on a line directly under thelongitudinal center of the body. As the pad marks converge the forelegs and hind legs are carriedPage 2 of 3straight forward in traveling, the stifles not turned in nor out. The back should remain strong,firm and level. A choppy or stilted gait should be penalized.(b) Rear End - Upper thighs should be well developed. Stifles well bent-approximately 45degrees to the ground. Hocks should be well developed, sharply defined and set at approximately30 percent of hip height. The hind legs should be parallel when viewed from the rear in a naturalstance, strong, well developed, turning neither in nor out. Straight stifles are objectionable.Double-joi

Official Standard of the Chinese CrestedGeneral Appearance: A toy dog, fine-boned, elegant and graceful. The distinct varieties are born in the same litter. The Hairless with hair only on the head, tail and feet and the Powderpuff, completely covered with hair. The breed serves as a loving companion, playful and entertaining. Size, Proportion, Substance: Size - Ideally 11 to 13 inches. However, dogs that are slightly larger or smaller may be given full consideration. Proportion - rectangular-proportioned to allow for freedom of movement. Body length from withers to base of tail is slightly longer than the height at the withers. Substance - Fine-boned and slender but not so refined as to appear breakable or alternatively not a robust, heavy structure. Head: Expression - Alert and intense. Eyes - Almond-shaped, set wide apart. Dark-colored dogshave dark-colored eyes, and lighter-colored dogs may have lighter-colored eyes. Eye rims match the coloring of the dog. Ears - Uncropped large and erect, placed so that the base of the ear is level with the outside corner of the eye. Skull - The skull is arched gently over the occiput from ear to ear. Distance from occiput to stop equal to distance from stop to tip of nose. The head is wedge-shaped viewed from above and the side. Stop - Slight but distinct. Muzzle - Cheeks taper cleanly into the muzzle. Nose - Dark in dark-colored dogs; may be lighter in lighter-coloreddogs. Pigment is solid. Lips - Lips are clean and tight. Bite - Scissors or level in both varieties. Missing teeth in the Powderpuff are to be faulted. The Hairless variety is not to be penalized for absence of full dentition.Neck, Topline, Body: Neck - Neck is lean and clean, slightly arched from the withers to the base of the skull and carried high. Topline - Level to slightly sloping croup. Body - Brisket extends to the elbow. Breastbone is not prominent. Ribs are well developed. The depth of the chest tapers to a moderate tuck-up at the flanks. Light in loin. Tail - Tail is slender and tapers to a curve. It is long enough to reach the hock. When dog is in motion, the tail is carried gaily and may be carried slightly forward over the back. At rest the tail is down with a slight curve upward at the end resembling a sickle. In the Hairless variety, two-thirds of the end of the tail is covered by long, flowing feathering referred to as a plume. The Powderpuff variety's tail is completely covered with hair.Forequarters: Angulation - Layback of shoulders is 45 degrees to point of shoulder allowing for good reach. Shoulders - Clean and narrow. Elbows - Close to body. Legs - Long, slender and straight. Pasterns - Upright, fine and strong. Dewclaws may be removed. Feet - Hare foot, narrow with elongated toes. Nails are trimmed to moderate length.Hindquarters: Angulation - Stifle moderately angulated. From hock joint to groundperpendicular. Dewclaws may be removed. Feet - Same as forequarters.Coat: The Hairless variety has hair on certain portions of the body: the head (called a crest), the tail (called a plume) and the feet from the toes to the front pasterns and rear hock joints (called socks). The texture of all hair is soft and silky, flowing to any length. Placement of hair is not as important as overall type. Areas that have hair usually taper off slightly. Wherever the body is hairless, the skin is soft and smooth. Head crest begins at the stop and tapers off between the Page 2 of 2base of the skull and the back of the neck. Hair on the ears and face is permitted on the Hairless and may be trimmed for neatness in both varieties. Tail plume is described under Tail. The Powderpuff variety is completely covered with a double soft and silky coat. Close examination reveals long thin guard hairs over the short silky undercoat. The coat is straight, of moderate density and length. Excessively heavy, kinky or curly coat is to be penalized. Grooming is minimal-consisting of presenting a clean and neat appearance.Color: A

In this episode, Vicki discusses the importance of reflecting on your previous goals and ways to effectively set goals for the upcoming year without it feeling daunting or overwhelming.