Who are you? Please tell us about your dog background.
My name is Dilek. I was borned at 2 June 1998 and live in Turkey. Now I’m living in Bishkek for the university Manas.
I have been interested in dogs since I was born. At first I was interested in homeless dogs and I start to understand their language. Now I’m more for many breeds. I have had a Border collie and Golden Retriever. I have been working with them obedience, tricks, heelwork with music and things like that!
I have been on many tv-shows, seminars, workshops and so on. I started to working as handler in Turkish Cynology Federation (KIF) and still working there.
There are many young children who are interested in dogs. We are helping them to understand how dogs behave. We also teach people how to handle their dogs and we are learning new things too. My life goes on with this hobby!
What was the first dog you showed in a real show ring. How did you feel about it?
It was in Antalya CAC in 2015 and with my own dog. I never forget it because of so many mistakes. I was not ready but I wanted to be on the real show ring. But we got a good result and I learned what kind of mistakes to avoid. It was great experience and so exciting.
After that I have shown a lot of dogs. One of them was an Akita. I searched a lot of information from internet how to show that breed. I trained and trained for three weeks. And also talked with the owner of the dog. Then I felt sure of myself and the dog.
Before getting into the ring I feel a bit stressed. But when entering inside the ropes I forget that and enjoy. I know I have done the work before well. So I just have fun! And to that feeling I have grown addictive to.
How have you developed since?
My first competition was in March 2015. Even if that was my first, I didn’t use that as an excuse but decided to learn from my mistakes. I decided to develop myself as a handler. I met other people with the same interest and even went to seminars.
I worked hard not only on handling, but also on other branches with my dog. That helped me to learn dog’s body language and I started to understand how to handle a dog well. I got better and better results and that motivated me even more. I was on the right track!
How do you make a contact to a dog you’ll show?
This can be sometimes difficult. You may know your dog, but do you speak the same language. Does it understand you? It can be a mental issue between you two.
It can be helped when you train your dog by having fun together and get a bond stronger between you so that your dog listens to you with more and more sensible ear. You must win the confidence of your dog! Only after that you can try different handling techniques!
What kind of a dog is difficult to show?
Character is an important feature. It’s more important than the breed. Dogs are individuals like people. You might get the best out of a dog which is not built correct, but if it has a problem in character, that might be more difficult.
Because I can handle dogs softly, mentally soft dogs don’t create such a problem as the dominant ones. They resist even training! With those I’m trying to find new handling methods.
How do you calm yourself before stepping to a ring?
That is hard to put into words! The critical moment is just before are step into ring. I don’t let the dog see my nervousness, because it can have an influence on the dog. In the ring I don’t have any problem!
And I have learned some tricks to be calm. Those can also be found on the internet. I drink a cup of water, when being nervous just before the ring. I’m not sure what that is based on. Getting an attention away for a while?
You have judged Junior Handlers. Has this helped you in handling?
I have judged Junior Handlers three times. The first time was exciting and scary at the same time. It is never easy since there are so many good dogs with good children. I valued the best connection between a dog and the handler. And it’s always useful to see handling from another angle!
What else do you want to share?
I’d like to add here our dog federation in Turkey. They have put a great effort to dogs with children. And we are also feel like a big family where everyone keeps on proving oneself.
The federation is having constantly new seminars for example about handling. And how to breed quality dogs and how to take care of them. We as handlers have a great responsibility in this. We learn, but also teach!
We can learn from each other just if we have a good spirit in Turkish Cynology Federation (KIF). We already have judges and handlers in WDS:s. The dogs of our breeders have become International Champions and even World Champions. I’m happy to be part of this progress!
