If you are an animal lover and want to share that with the world, one of the greatest steps that you can decide to take is hosting a dog show. A dog show will allow you to have the chance to meet other pet lovers like you and celebrate the best pooches around. Then, bring together dogs from far and wide by following this quick guide to hosting a dog show of your very own.
Pick the Right Season
Ideally, you do not want your dog show to be plagued by rain, snow, or extreme heat. This could potentially harm the dogs that attend your event and lead to them falling ill. This means that you should think carefully about the best season to run your dog show in. For instance, spring and fall can be mild seasons that combine the best of the summer and winter weather, before it becomes too intense. However, you should always be aware that you might have to reschedule if you do not have an indoor venue and have a back-up plan for this.
Make the Event Dog-Friendly
Although this might sound obvious, it is vital to remember that your main attendees will be dogs. For both animal welfare, and to ensure that they perform at their best, you need to make the event as dog-friendly as possible. For instance, you should create ample outdoor space, place down water bowls around the site, and ensure that overcrowding is not a possibility. You should provide somewhere for distressed or anxious dogs to enjoy a quiet moment, and have a vet on stand-by. You should also make certain that cafes and toilet facilities are dog-friendly, or provide outdoor kiosks.
Create Trophies
Every dog owner wants to be able to compete for a prize, though, as well as the satisfaction of being best in show. You only need to look at large dog events to know that. This means that you should order a number of personalized trophies made from metals such as silver and pewter. These can be given out to both runners-up and winners. They can also help to commemorate your event and ensure that people start to talk about your event in the future. This can entice people to return or try out next year. It is simple to order trophies and other rewards online to your specifications.
Stay Organized
One of the downfalls of dog shows is that, with so many people and dogs around, they can become chaotic. This means that you need to stay organized. You can do this by asking for entries in advance and giving out numbers to each entrant. You should also make the call and event times clear and create a waiting area for entrants before they go on. You should also make certain that everyone is where they should be before the event starts, and hire an announcer to oversee the occasion and narrate to the audience.
Run Multiple Events
Not every dog is best in show, and, to allow as many animals to enter as possible, you should consider running multiple events that highlight dogs’ different strengths, such as sausage catching, agility, and best rescue dog. You should also make these events exciting and engaging for audience members who might only have attended for a little bit of fun.