742 — Dog Show Tips for Beginners: Navigating the Learning Curve

742 — Dog Show Tips for Beginners: Navigating the Learning Curve

From Pure Dog Talk by Laura Reeves

June 8, 2026 · 36 min

About this episode

Matt Stroud shares his journey and insights for beginners in the dog show world.

Dog Show Tips for Beginners: Navigating the Learning Curve [caption id="attachment_15805" align="alignleft" width="522"] Matt Stroud with his dogs and his new children's book, "More than a Ribbon."[/caption] Host Laura Reeves welcomes Matt Stroud (known to some on Facebook as "Kermit the Dog"), an enthusiastic owner-handler of Schipperkes. Matt shares his journey from being a shy high schooler navigating 4-H with a poodle mix and a Yorkshire Terrier, to returning to the dog show world as an adult with his Schipperkes. Navigating the Learning Curve Matt candidly discusses the fragmented and confusing realities for newcomers , noting that while the sport is more visible than ever, basic logistics—like navigating superintendent websites to enter shows—can be overwhelming without insider knowledge. The Power of Mentorship and Responsibility A major turning point for Matt was meeting his tough-as-nails mentor, Audrey, who bluntly told him his struggles in the ring were his fault, not the dog's. Matt emphasizes the importance of accepting personal responsibility for grooming, conditioning and handling , rather than blaming judges or competitors. Highs, Lows and Dealing with Negativity…

People in this episode

Host: Laura Reeves

Guest: Matt Stroud

Topics covered

  • dog shows
  • beginner tips
  • mentorship
  • personal responsibility
  • handling negativity

Keywords

  • dog show tips
  • Schipperkes
  • mentorship
  • grooming
  • handling
  • 4-H
  • Westminster

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: More than a Ribbon

More episodes of Pure Dog Talk

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Pure Dog Talk podcast page.