It was early on a crisp New York City morning as Donna Bennett and her girlfriends loaded their trolley with the things they’d need. Brushes, scissors, hair dryer, and extension cord? Check. Grooming table, rags, and bucket? Check. Dog and dog crate? Check. Now they were set and ready to roll down the street to Piers 92 and 94 to set up Channel’s

station.

So it was for thousands of dog owners, handlers, and bucket brigades on the weekend of Feb. 11 to 14 as dogs representing more than 200 breeds competed for honors and the titles at the 141st Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Some would be honored; others would see their hopes dashed. But for Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever Channel, owned by Old Saybrook DTails owner Donna Bennett, it would be a good show. Channel

was honored as Best Boy in his breed—and has the ribbon to prove it.

Bennett has taught classes in dog obedience and agility in Old Saybrook and Westbrook for 22 years; 12 years ago, she opened DTails at 4 Center Road in Old Saybrook, where she now conducts dog obedience classes and provides doggy day care.

Her path to this business was an accident driven by necessity, according to Bennett. Before this shift in path, Donna worked as a nutrition consultant for a company that managed group homes. When the company unexpectedly went bankrupt, she was left with two months of unpaid wages. She had to scramble to find a way to make a living.

“My husband said, ‘Why don’t you start teaching dog obedience classes?’ I had trained my own dog, a Bernese mountain dog, well and others had commented on that,” said Bennett.

For Bennett it seemed a natural step. Her dad had raised collies and beagles, so she had always been surrounded by dogs, and she had observed and learned their ways.

“I developed this sixth sense about dogs and how they think. So I’m self-taught,” she said.

She started out initially doing pet sitting, along with some obedience classes. Soon, the business grew. Now at her DTails business site, she teaches regular dog obedience classes, and does both dog training and doggy day care at the 4 Center Road site.

“I don’t advertise. It’s just word of mouth, and Facebook,” said Bennett. “Our Facebook page does well. It’s been our best advertisement ever. People share photos of their dog at our doggy day care.”

Showing dogs in competition was never something she had aspired to do. Bennett said she was pushed into doing it the first time—last year—because she was told by others in the business that her dog Channel had potential.

“I watch dogs’ movement all the time as those in my care move around the building. And that’s what the judges watch,” said Bennett.

To show dogs in the ring, though, takes another skill: learning how to be a professional handler. When Bennett decided she would begin to show Channel, she started taking lessons herself, in handling.

Professional handlers usually are individuals who have showed or judged dogs before. Each handler may be responsible for showing many dogs during the course of a single competition. In addition to showing in the ring, a handler is responsible for a dog’s grooming, feeding, and even walking if needed.

“I’m not a professional handler and they definitely have an edge—they are known by the judges. For newcomers, it’s difficult to be recognized and have your dog recognized,” said Bennett. “I am still taking classes myself in handling.”

Yet Channel

did win recognition as Best Boy in breed.

The Big Show

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show’s base is at Piers 92 and 94 in Manhattan in New York City. Much like a trade show, each dog is assigned an individual station, which the owner or handler sets up with grooming table, crate, and other items. Each owner/handler and dog only leave when it is their time to enter the ring and be viewed by the judges.

Dogs representing 200 different breeds compete for the honor of best of breed. Those named best in breed compete to be the best in one of seven groups; winners of each group compete for the top honor of best in show.

“You see every breed that’s showing that day on display in this huge building,” said Bennett. “You have your designated space and anyone can come by and talk to you, ask questions, and pet the dog.”

Now, though, it’s back to what she loves best: Being with the dogs in her doggy day care and teaching dog obedience classes. Each class has about 10 dogs with their owners.

“Within the first three out of the eight classes, the dogs become more focused and respond to commands,” said Bennett. “The most difficult part is training the owners. When I give instructions and owners don’t follow them, their dogs don’t succeed. It is so confusing for the dogs in this situation. To be successful with your dog, you need to be concise with instructions and consistent.”

At home, Bennett has three Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers, one Great Pyrenees, and one German shepherd (her husband is a K-9 officer and that is his dog) as well as one cat whom she says thinks it is a dog.