Carrie,I had a similar experience as a newbie. One of the first shows we went to we saw a top handler dislocate a gay tail so that it hung instead of carried over the back. I was horrified. Being brand new, we weren't sure if anyone would believe us or who even to report that to. We were standing right next to them, the handler laughed and said it's done all the time and claimed it didn't hurt the dog. The dog finished that weekend. I often wonder if the owners knew what was going on. We also watched him give Rescue Remedy to a dog he didn't want to win that day. Really opened our eyes. Since then we won't let our dogs travel with anyone we don't know on a personal level. Even to be groomed, if I don't know them personally we stay right with our dogs the entire time. It really soured us on showing and the real quality of dogs you see in the Review. During a conversation with a specialty judge after a show, the judge stated they they based their choice on side gait and how pretty they were to look at. Hmmm....... Yep, I'd vote for testing.Dee Lauffer Msg: #1 in digestSubject: newbies and cheatingDate: Sun, 05 Oct 2008 19:24:33 -0400From: slvrcrkgsd@xxxxxxx As a young person, new to showing, I was on one of my first road trips to a small Midwest AB Show about 10 years ago.? We realized that The handler with the top GSD of that year was there.? I was so excited, as I had only seen them on TV, never in person.? While?looking for a grooming space, we?saw the top GSD being dyed with black on the?face and saddle.? I no?longer pay attention to the top AB?GSD, as I don't know if it is real or fake. ?I know they are not the only ones doing it, but I?saw that?in person as a newbie, so it soured my impression.? I stuck with obedience and agility for a few years before getting back into conformation.? I can see that newbies could easily be turned away by the cheating and politicking that goes on. Carrie Adams _________________________________________________________________ Stay up to date on your PC, the Web, and your mobile phone with Windows Live. http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/msnnkwxp1020093185mrt/direct/01/ ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2008. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://showgsd.org NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ ============================================================================