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The Winning Edge: Show Ring Secrets Hardcover – Download: Adobe Reader, May 1, 1992

by George Alston (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 219 ratings
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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
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Previous page
  1. Part of series
    Howell Reference Books
  2. Print length
    176 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Howell Book House
  5. Publication date
    May 1, 1992
  6. Dimensions
    6.29 x 0.68 x 9.56 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0876058349
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0876058343
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

George Alston, an expert dog handler for more than 30 years, teams with author Connie Vanacore on The Winning Edge: Show Ring Secrets. Combining sports psychology and dog showing, topics include psychocybernetics, the making of a show dog, learning from the competition, and etiquette and sportmanship. The Winning Edge: Show Ring Secrets is "an essential for every dog exhibitor's bookshelf."

From Library Journal

An experienced professional dog handler, Alston offers tips on showing in either conformation or obedience rings. His advice on canine health, training, etiquette, and ring preparation is sound, helpful, and very concise. While much of this information is covered in other books, Alston's handbook provides quick reference and some new ideas; his frank discussions of campaigning and the psychology of showing also help make this a unique and contemporary addition to collections needing a book on handling. Beginners looking for basic "secrets" on training, grooming, breeds, or special handling situations won't find them here. Instead they should turn to Mario Migliorini's more basic Secrets of Dog Show Handling (Prentice-Hall Pr., 1982. 2d ed.), which this complements. The Winning Edge has value as a specialized guide to showing and should be considered for patron audiences that include large numbers of dog show exhibitors.
- Carolyn Alexander, Technical Information Ctr., Ft. Hunter Liggett, Cal.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Howell Book House; 1st edition (May 1, 1992)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 176 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0876058349
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0876058343
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.29 x 0.68 x 9.56 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 219 ratings

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George G. Alston

George G. Alston

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
219 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Gift of Galway
5.0 out of 5 stars The title tells all
Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2014
Verified Purchase
It's called The Winning Edge for a reason. It's not basic how-to and it helps if you know a little going in - although even a brand new handler will learn a lot. The winning edge is that little extra that puts you over the top. Show ring secrets. Exactly. Like the mint to hide the adrenaline in your saliva. Handling classes were and are helpful, but the truth is, everything I learned came from George. I've taken his workshops five times and learned something new at every one. You can learn how to show a dog anywhere. This book is about how to win. As for the person who said he demeans owner-handlers, his workshop begins with a question...what gives an owner-handler an advantage over a professional? Huh? How could I know more than a professional? Answer, you have only ONE dog, whereas the pro has many. You can focus 150% on your one dog and that is a huge advantage, both to your handling skills and your confidence level. George is ALL about helping owner-handlers and there is no one better to do it. He has a reputation for being gruff and harsh on his students, especially the kids. If you are willing to listen and work hard, he will bend over backwards for you. If not, he won't waste his time. As for the kids, I've never seen anyone more attentive to their needs. But the bottom line is that this book is a condensed version of his two day workshop and that's a hell of a big bang for your buck. Plus he has a great sense of humor!
8 people found this helpful
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Beth
5.0 out of 5 stars Must have for a Show Dogs Library
Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2007
Verified Purchase
When I spoke to my dogs breeder, her comment was that I needed this book. I was happy to tell her I had already ordered and read it! She is a veteran and reads it every Spring before she steps into the Show Ring to brush up on things. I found it to be very helpful as a beginner and I've found it even more helpful after I've been in the ring a couple of times. It leaves out a lot of the "fluff" but is a great companion book to some of the others that start out at the very beginning. Very easy to read. Confidence builder!
5 people found this helpful
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PJRoss
5.0 out of 5 stars Tried and true. Not much has changed in the show ring....but nuances have.
Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2018
Verified Purchase
This book is the complete guide from A to Z on showing your dog in the AKC ring. There are so many facets to consider and learn that this book will be your teacher as you master all of the little nuances that either make or break a competitor. This is a study guide of a complex orchestrated preparation and presentation that will put you to the front of your class. The little things matter....and they are all covered in this book.
3 people found this helpful
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Mary Mercedes
4.0 out of 5 stars Superb guide by a real Pro & truly full of useful "secrets"
Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2003
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Contrary to the comments a previous reviewer, I hope most will realize the value of this excellent and practical book and give it a try. The criticism of the "reader from Texas," is INANE and inappropriate. FIRST of all, the author never pretends to be a writer. He is, however, an accomplished Pro Handler with a track record of big show wins and real life experience to share about what to do (and not to do) in the show ring. SECOND, as for the comment about "how many times he belittled the owner-handler in this book," that too is utter nonsense. He is simply pointing out the kinds of behaviors that will NOT help you to win in the ring, and isn't that the ENTIRE POINT of reading this book??? Yes, showing dogs is a sport, but the reader is in La La Land if he does not realize that what "the judge likes," and "how to hide faults" are paramount to successfully showing and winning with your dog. The author does not pretend to be there to discuss "important aspects" of dogs. One presumes that the book will be bought and read to help the amateur handler understand how best to handle their dog in the ring. Ignore this reviewer and read this book! I found it to be extremely down-to-earth and full of little gems of wisdom and hints to remember and apply. I have bought a number of more "professionally written and less judgmental" books on showing and handling and they are too bland and so general as to be useless. They are NOT going to be the ones that I will refer back to and read again-- but this book will be read again and again. It's aptly named. It is indeed full of little secrets that are important to know in the show ring. It is an OUTSTANDING and entertaining reference in a gritty, no-nonsense way. I HIGHLY recommend it.
48 people found this helpful
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Justanother
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book. Lots of useful tips.
Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2018
Verified Purchase
This is exactly what I was looking for. I am new to showing and wanted to know how to behave and what to do and not do. This is exactly what I wanted.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to show.
Really thoughtfully written.
One person found this helpful
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Carol V.
5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book!
Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2020
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I am new to the world of Conformation Dog Showing. This book has been a tremendous help to me. It is easy to read and understand.
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Fiona Hodgson
3.0 out of 5 stars Some Good Tips
Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2014
Verified Purchase
There are some good tips for newer people in the book but I think training methods haved moved on a bit since this.
The experience and insights of the writer however are very good
One person found this helpful
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Geo
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book on Showing Dogs...
Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2019
Verified Purchase
I had to relearn presenting my dog after a 16 years out of the ring. This book helped me remember and teach me things I had forgotten. I learned a lot too, good read.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Daniela U.
5.0 out of 5 stars ottimo
Reviewed in Italy on October 13, 2019
Verified Purchase
ottimo libro per gli appassionati di esposizioni cinofile.
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Rachel Carlton
5.0 out of 5 stars Fab read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 30, 2017
Verified Purchase
What a fab book defo recommend
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Fiona ni Giollarua
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on February 4, 2016
Verified Purchase
Good basic techniques and information for the show ring
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Jean Fisher
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on October 24, 2016
Verified Purchase
Not for beginners
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Jan Thackray
3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 20, 2013
Verified Purchase
This book is in good physical condition, but I was disappointed to find that the previous owner has highlighted some sentences/sections with a yellow highlighter throughout the book. This was not mentioned in the description and it would have affected my decision to purchase as I find it irritating to have another person's idea of what is important thrust upon me whilst reading. Other than that everything was okay, the book was a good price, arrived within the stated timescale and was well packaged. I would recommend the sellers on this basis, but I would advise them to ensure that things like this are mentioned in their description of the item just so that they are being completely fair to the purchaser.
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