The Right Way to Disagree

Sep 01, 2026

Three Siberian Huskies play-fighting, disagreement, argument, resolution, dog communication, communication, conflict resolution, dog training, dog show, conformation training, conformation seminars, Sandy Weaver, owner handler trainer

Dog shows bring together passionate people. Passionate people occasionally disagree.

That's perfectly normal.

The question isn't whether you'll disagree. The question is how you'll disagree.

A breeder may believe a promising puppy deserves a show career, while the new owner would rather spend weekends hiking than traveling to dog shows.
Two exhibitors may both think the end of the down-and-back is the perfect place for their chair, grooming bag, or cooler.
A judge may tell the steward, "Please keep an eye on my judge's book while I step away," while the steward politely explains why they aren't comfortable accepting responsibility for it.

Different opinions don't have to become damaged relationships. Dogs offer us a wonderful example.

When two unfamiliar dogs meet, they don't immediately decide whether they're friends. They observe. They communicate. They adjust. If one dog says, "That's too much," the other often backs off. The conversation continues without insults, gossip, or Facebook posts.

Imagine if we handled disagreements with the same grace.

Listen before defending.
Assume good intentions.
Focus on solving the problem instead of winning the argument.

And remember that preserving the relationship is more important than proving you're right.

Good sportsmanship isn't measured by how we act when everyone agrees with us. It's measured by how respectfully we behave when they don't.

Now that's a ribbon worth earning.

The Right Way to Disagree

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