Five Seconds to Success

Aug 04, 2026

One of the quickest ways to make a judge smile is to present your dog's mouth efficiently.

Notice I didn't say quickly. I said efficiently.

The goal isn't to rush. The goal is to confidently show the judge exactly what they need to see...in about five seconds or less.

Every extra second spent wrestling with lips, repositioning hands, or convincing your dog that opening its mouth isn't a medieval torture technique chips away at the smooth, professional presentation you've worked so hard to create.

Here's the secret: not every breed requires the same oral exam.

The wording in your breed Standard tells you exactly what the judge is required to examine. That language determines whether your breed receives:

a bite-only exam,
front and sides,
front, sides, and open mouth,
or a thumb exam.

Knowing those words isn't optional—it's part of knowing your breed.

Then comes the fun part: practice. Practice in your kitchen. Practice in the grooming area. Practice while watching television. Practice until your hands know exactly where to go and your dog calmly says, "Oh, this again? No problem."

The mouth exam should never become the main event.

Your goal is to make it so smooth that the judge barely remembers it happened—and can spend those extra moments appreciating the rest of your beautiful dog.

Because in the show ring, five seconds of preparation can make a lifetime of difference.

Five Seconds to Success

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