Jerky, Veggies, and Hebrew National Hot Dogs: What National Dog Show Handlers Feed Their Pups in the Ring
I don’t want to sound weird but some of these baits sound pretty tasty. By Austin Cannon November 25, 2021 Advertisement Pin FB More Tweet Email Send Text Message Print 
handler giving holding dog treat in front of her dog during judging at the National Dog Show Credit: NBC / Getty
When you're watching a dog show competition, you'll see some handlers holding their hands aloft, capturing their dogs' rapt attention. You might even see them put what's in their hand into their shirts or mouths.
It's their "bait," the dog's favorite food that keeps their attention and motivates them to perform while in the ring. Toys work for some dogs, too. It's also known as "luring," a technique used during positive-reinforcement training where the treat is used as a lure to get a behavior. Trainers describe the treat as a kind of magnet used to get the dog to follow your hand into a specific position. And let's be honest—show dog or not, we all love a tasty reward.
"This breed lives for food," says Colleen Hamm, describing her keeshond Stormy who competed in the 2021 National Dog Show presented by Purina. It goes without saying that Hamm was also describing, albeit indirectly, me at Thanksgiving dinner.
Why use bait? It can help your dog find the best pose or posture for the judge, who's looking for a specific stance and build, says Jeffery Pepper, the 2021 National Dog Show Best in Show judge.
The small bits of food can vary from the typical (chicken) to the weird (vegetables, really?). It depends on what your dog likes and can quickly consume in the ring. When they need both their hands, the handlers will sometimes stow the food in peculiar places—tucked inside their armbands, within their bras, and, yes, right into their mouths.
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"[Handlers] pull stuff out of their mouth all the time," says John O'Hurley, the Seinfeld actor who's been a member of the National Dog Show broadcast for 20 years. "… And the dog doesn't seem to care."
Hey, we can't really blame them. Some of these treats sound pretty good! Read on for the most interesting snacks from the 2021 National Dog Show presented by Purina.
Karen Graeber (Poppy, bichon frise): Beef jerky and Poppy's favorite squeaky toy. This bichon is particular, not wanting the chicken her sibling gets. "She won't look at chicken," Graeber tells Daily Paws. "She wants beef jerky." Same.
Jessica Stretz (Theodora, Siberian husky): string cheese. Healthy! The low-fat mozzarella stick from your childhood lunch box is a safe cheese option for dogs to eat.
Sharliene Bowers (Jäger, German shepherd): smoked turkey bologna, which offers a "really strong, smokey scent." Coincidence that this pooch goes for the BBQ option, and also spends time at the local firehouse? We think not.
Karen Mammano (Matthew, Newfoundland): Usually chicken, but he's been taken with Hebrew National hot dogs lately. "He's very specific," Mammano says. We can respect a dog with a particular palate.
Latisha Delatorre (Sam, Norfolk terrier): chicken and a fuzzy mouse squeaky toy, which is a great representation of the prey his breed was originally bred to hunt.
David Frei, Host: The longtime dog show commentator remembers one handler using a particularly fragrant vegetable as bait—one "that you could smell coming." Whatever works, I guess? We have to assume it's not garlic, as that can be toxic for dogs. Maybe it was steamed broccoli, which may actually have some health benefits. Gross.
Jeffery Pepper, Judge: He's seen plenty of baits over his 36 years of judging, from hunting dogs following bird feathers to "all kinds of really strange toys." If that's the reward that gets the dog to perform his best, that's what you go with.
What's the one thing that can get your dog to do anything on cue? Shoot us a DM at @DailyPaws on Instagram and let us know what your pup's favorite treat ( … or toy, or feather … ) is—bonus points if it's one us humans can share, too!
