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Howell reference books
The Winning Edge: Show Ring Secrets
George Alston has been one of the country's preeminent professional handlers for over thirty years. Now, the secrets of his success are shared with every dog fancier.
The Winning Edge is the very first book to apply sports psychology to dog showing. Here, serious exhibitors, including the seasoned veteran, will have the opportunity to develop and polish the skills necessary to take a place in the winners' circle. With award-winning author Connie Vanacore, George Alston shows us all how to gain consistent success in the only sport in which amateurs compete directly with the professionals. Chapters focus on the advantages of being an amateur and underscore the necessity for the mental preparation and psychology that are essential to every exhibitor's success.
The authors cover every ingredient in the recipe for show ring success, with chapters on the perfect handler, the making of a show dog, psychocybernetics, where and how to focus when in the ring and learning from the competition.
The Winning Edge, an essential for every dog exhibitor's bookshelf, now makes George Alston's professional know-how available to everyone with the desire to win.
A Howell Dog Book of Distinction
The Winning Edge is the very first book to apply sports psychology to dog showing. Here, serious exhibitors, including the seasoned veteran, will have the opportunity to develop and polish the skills necessary to take a place in the winners' circle. With award-winning author Connie Vanacore, George Alston shows us all how to gain consistent success in the only sport in which amateurs compete directly with the professionals. Chapters focus on the advantages of being an amateur and underscore the necessity for the mental preparation and psychology that are essential to every exhibitor's success.
The authors cover every ingredient in the recipe for show ring success, with chapters on the perfect handler, the making of a show dog, psychocybernetics, where and how to focus when in the ring and learning from the competition.
The Winning Edge, an essential for every dog exhibitor's bookshelf, now makes George Alston's professional know-how available to everyone with the desire to win.
A Howell Dog Book of Distinction
- GenresDogsNonfiction
176 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 1992
23 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 30, 2011
Through this book, Mr. Alston gives you the mental and physical skills that you WILL need to go head to head with professional handlers. As George points out, the dog show arena is the only event where your entry fee alone allows you to compete with professionals without any prior experience.
I recommend reading this books and if at possible, attend his seminar (audit the first time, then participate with your dog the 2nd time). Trust me, it will make all the difference in the world.
I was working with my great pyrenees in his seminar. There was also two young men from Mexico who were there with there German Shepherds. The first time in the ring was adequate, but not without mistakes. After Mr. Alston gave us individual pointers, in front of the auditting group of about 50 people, we left the ring for the next group. After the 2nd group, our group re-entered the ring and gaited around the ring, keeping in mind our recent lesson. When we came to a halt and stacked and stacked our dogs, George turned to the sitting group and asked, "Did anyone see the magic I did right before your eyes? . . .anyone? You see that I turned two average German Shepards into two pretty good German Shepards. I also turned a Good Pyrenees into a Great Pyrenees!"
I would later go on to show that same Pyr to a Group 1 in the Bred-By Exhibitor Working Group at the AKC Invitational. I gave a copy of the Group One picture to Mr. Alston. I wrote on the back, "Everytime I enter the ring, you words are in my thoughts". I was told that he shows that picture to his students at the end of his seminars.
Definetly by this book!
I recommend reading this books and if at possible, attend his seminar (audit the first time, then participate with your dog the 2nd time). Trust me, it will make all the difference in the world.
I was working with my great pyrenees in his seminar. There was also two young men from Mexico who were there with there German Shepherds. The first time in the ring was adequate, but not without mistakes. After Mr. Alston gave us individual pointers, in front of the auditting group of about 50 people, we left the ring for the next group. After the 2nd group, our group re-entered the ring and gaited around the ring, keeping in mind our recent lesson. When we came to a halt and stacked and stacked our dogs, George turned to the sitting group and asked, "Did anyone see the magic I did right before your eyes? . . .anyone? You see that I turned two average German Shepards into two pretty good German Shepards. I also turned a Good Pyrenees into a Great Pyrenees!"
I would later go on to show that same Pyr to a Group 1 in the Bred-By Exhibitor Working Group at the AKC Invitational. I gave a copy of the Group One picture to Mr. Alston. I wrote on the back, "Everytime I enter the ring, you words are in my thoughts". I was told that he shows that picture to his students at the end of his seminars.
Definetly by this book!
September 25, 2011
The book is very good for those who are starting out with their first show dog.
August 19, 2016
Best book on handling I've read
This book was full of excellent tips and advice. I plan to read it several times. Good tips about grooming, training and handling.
This book was full of excellent tips and advice. I plan to read it several times. Good tips about grooming, training and handling.
August 25, 2025
Awesome Book
This is a gold mine of information for those who are just starting out showing dogs. I would recommend learning the bare basics first and do a few shows then read this book.
This is a gold mine of information for those who are just starting out showing dogs. I would recommend learning the bare basics first and do a few shows then read this book.
June 25, 2008
This book did have some good pointers and information on showing your dog, but over all the take home message I got was that you will never be as good as the professional handlers, so get used to losing to them. I don't think this was the message the author intended, but just what I personally took away from the book. Overall, good tips, though in some ways it was discouraging.
February 20, 2021
I have gone to his seminars and read this book before, but still like to read it every once in a while to keep me focused on the right things when showing my dog.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews