Rules and etiquette for our visitors

Welcome!

TheSeattle Kennel Club is enthusiastically following the lead of the AmericanKennel Club and a growing number of individual kennel clubs around the countryin making shows more inclusive for all dogs, including “public” dogs that maynot be entered in competitive events.

The Seattle Kennel Club hasre-invented its March dog shows with this philosophy in mind. So much so thatthe club has given the weekend event a new name: “Woof By Woofwest presented by the Seattle Kennel Club.” The namecomes with a wink toward the world-famous celebration, “South By Southwest,”held in Austin every year about this time for the past three decades, a convergence of interactive media, film,music and conferences.

Itall started with the AKC and its welcoming of mixed breed dogs into its AKCCanine Partners programs, allowing them to compete in performance events.

Itcontinues to grow with individual clubs, such as Portland’s Dog FanciersAssociation, the Houston World Series of Dog Shows, the Detroit Kennel Club andothers. Demonstration and participation events such as the AKC’s “My Dog Can DoThat”, come with trainers provided to work with well-behaved, unentered dogs,teaching some basics about obedience, rally, agility, tricks and more, all activitiesany dog can enjoy. Add in the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen test, the chance to the“Ask the Vet” and the chance to visit with an attorney to help you work onestate planning for your dog, you get the idea.

Thenumber of dogs – well-behaved only need apply – allowed in from the public willbe limited in this first year to 25 dogs in the morning and 25 in the afternooneach day, hoping for a manageable total of 100 over the two days. Advanceregistration is required and a number of rules and guidelines will be in place,and controlled access come with that. Procedures and rules will be announcedsoon, watch the website for information.

Weare glad you are joining us to celebrate our dogs together – we are all doglovers and we all know that the real BestIn Show dog is the one sitting next to us on our couch at home – “Best In Home.”

Wehave invited you to join us at this historic Woof By Woofwest, the new,expanded event of the Seattle Kennel Club dog show, intended to be moreinclusive than just our normal dog show that we have been staging for the past80+ years. We want to share with you and your dog some of the fun things thatwe do with our dogs all the time, fun for the dogs and fun for their people.

Whileyou are here, we hope that you will learn about responsible ownership, healthcare, and activities that you can do with your dog.

Wewelcome well behaved, well-controlled pets. If your dog is overly excited,barking, jumping, etc., then the atmosphere is probably too stimulating forthem, and you should take your dog home, in the best interests of all.

Whenyou arrive, please use the SE street level door for entry. You will need topurchase a ticket for everyone in your party. Your dog gets in for free.

VERY IMPORTANT BASICS:

• One dog per person.

• Dogs must be at least 6 months of age.

• Dogs must be current with all of its vaccinations.

• LEASH PROVIDED: You must use the leash you are given at thedoor. No flexi-leads or retractable leads.

• Exercise your dog before entering the Event Center (cleanup after your dog). If necessary, use the poop bags you are given at the doorand please clean up after your dog. If your dog urinates on the floor, pleasealert a club member and they will call for cleanup. Please stay in the areauntil cleanup arrives.

ACTIVITIES:

• “My Dog Can Do That” A trainer will help find out if your dog likesagility, obedience, or can pass novice trick tests.

• “Ask the Vet” Informational, informal visits (not clinical)with a veterinarian.

• “After I’m Gone” Visit with attorney Debra Hamilton about estateplanning for you and your dog.

• “Therapy Dogs” Info and testing, you and your dog can be apotential life-changing therapy dog team.

• “Canine Good Citizen” testing. Partof the AKC Family Dog Program, CGC provides a first step in training your dog.Along the way, you will enhance the bond with your dog. A well-behaved dog is ahappy dog, after all.

• Watch demonstrations and competition inagility, the dog show, flying disks, and much more.

• Vendors: Take your dog to thevendors area and try on some collars or jackets or a new leash; find the latestartwork and food dishes, dog games, toys, and much, much more.

• Visit our charity, rescue, and breed booths

Generalinformation is available at the entry door and also at the front desk at thenorthwest entry door for the general public. Ask questions of anyone wearing aname tag.

THIS IS IMPORTANT:

1. Please pay attention toyour dog at all times. Please be mindful of the short leash, which you will be givenwhen you arrive. Do not let your dog go face-to-face with another dog. Yes, weare sure that your dog is friendly, but maybe the object of their affectiondoes not appreciate having its space invaded, friendly or not.

• Pleaseunderstand that this is not meant to be a social experience for the dogs, i.e., it is not the equivalent of a dog park.This is intended to be an educational and cultural event as well as fun forall.

• Unentereddogs are not allowed in show groomingareas or in the center aisles of the conformation rings where thecompetition is taking place. Unentered dogs are also not allowed in the obedience or rally areas on the mezzanine(upstairs). Access into certain other areas is limited, please takenote of those well-marked areas.

• Foryour dog’s safety and health, please remember that many of the dogs entered inthe dog show have been exposed to many other dogs at shows around the countrybefore arriving in Seattle. Your unentered dog must be at least 6 months old and be current on all vaccinations.

• Communitywater bowls are not provided. Please bringyour own water bowl for your dog.

• Flexi-leads orretractable leads are not allowed. You must use the lead that you will be givenat the entry door.

• Youwill also be provided with “poop bags”on entry. Please clean up after your dog.

• Please visit our vendors, but be watchful ofyour dog there as many of them find smells in that area that they feel theymust attempt to mark (i.e., pee on).The vendors will appreciate it if you don’t let that happen.

• Wewelcome you to watch the competition,but keep your dog away from the ring barriers and the entrances.

Exhibitors and Handlerswith dogs are charged with absolute responsibility for the CONTROL of theirdogs throughout the period the dogs are on the show grounds, including rings,grooming areas and common areas.

HAVE FUN. PROTECT YOUR DOG. ASK QUESTIONS. AND HAVE FUN.

Thanks for coming to our history-making Woof By Woofwest, presented bythe Seattle Kennel Club

More information:        www.woofbywoofwest.com     davidfrei44@gmail.comtaji@ktcampbell.com