On the Road to Westminster: Preparing A Show Dog Through Intentional Conditioning for the Ring

To start off 2025, Heather Blakeman, CPDT-KA, FFCP, joins the podcast to talk about MBOSS GCH CH Foxmor’s GameDay Makers Over Ice CCA, call name “Makers,” a Golden Retriever who she has been working with since he was 10 weeks old. At just three years old, Makers will compete at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, held in Manhattan and widely considered to be one of the world’s most prestigious and competitive dog shows. It will be Heather’s first time showing at Westminster, and of course, Makers’ first time at the show. Heather has been involved in Maker’s months of preparation and conditioning to prepare this special dog for the big competition, and she shares the behind-the-scenes physical and mental conditioning that allow Makers to have fun—and win—in the ring.