This should really be titled "What I Have Learned About Being a Gate Steward".
And it's being written because one of my favorite judges - Janet Ooms - gave me a little pat on the back that got me to hummin' around in my head about the job. I understand there's a whole lot of different styles folks use when handling this job, and I know that at a FunRaiser there is no Gate Steward. Actually, my favorite job at a trial is gating the Novice classes. I just love those folks! They ROCK! So keeping the Novices in mind, here's some things to help them along their way on to their runs.
There's 3 "biggies" to the job - making sure the Scribe knows what dog is about to run, easing exhibitors' confusion about when to run and getting the next dog on the line in order to save time.
The Scribe's job is one of the hardest (IMHO!), so to make their life a little easier and to make sure "Fluffy" doesn't get scored instead of "Floppy", we need to have good, clear communication with our Ring Crew team member! If there are scratches or a dog was originally listed in the wrong jump height, try to let the Scribe know before the class starts, during a jump height change or between dogs. Don't try to give "extra" info to the Scribe when they are concentrating on the judge's calls during a run.
When it comes to the run order sheets, also known as "Gate Sheets", I have a little different opinion than some folks who Gate do. I figure those lists are not for me to control, they are for the exhibitors to use. I usually stay out of the way after the walk through for the Elite folks to move their dogs around on the list for their ease in getting their second (or third!) dog in a comfortable order. I'll help the Novice folks out just because they *are* Novices.
When the class is running, I make sure to step way over to the *side* of the board, giving a clear 180 degrees of viewing to the exhibitors. I like to allow the exhibitors to be able to see the board themselves without having to cram up close, trying to look over my shoulder just to see the run order. If the gate is standing/hovering right smack dab in front of the board it can cause a dangerous situation. That forces handlers who want to check the order to crowd their dogs all together in about a 6 foot area in front of the board. Not a safe situation!
If you allow the space in front of the board to be clear, those of us exhibitors with short term memory (like all of 3 seconds in a trial situation!), can check the order as often as we like - from a *safe* distance. We don't have to keep asking the Gate...over and over...and feeling like an idiot every time we do! If you're not micromanaging the exhibitors, you then have the time to let the Scribe know the dog on the line and to get the next dog there when it's time.
Please don't call out 6 or 8 or 10 dogs names in order....none of us who are focusing on our course are going to be able to remember! (Half the time our dog's name is mispronounced so we don't "get it" anyway!
) Stick to just calling out the next 3 or 4. If you're gating Novice, a good thing to do is point at each dog as you do it. That's for the handlers who don't know all the dogs yet, won't remember the name of the dog in front of them but they *will* remember what it (or the handler) looks like! If a handler comes up and asks who the dog in front of them is, don't just say the dog's name, show the dog to the handler. That will relieve a lot of anxiety for our Novices.
Figure out the course you're gating for and find a good place on it to send the next dog to the line. Make sure you're not asking the next dog to be walking in when the dog running is coming *at* them. Usual good timing would be about 4-6 obstacles before the end of the course. The Novice folks *like* to be told at which obstacle they should head out to the line. So make a little "announcement" to the group that's waiting in line every once in awhile. It is your job to get that dog to the line in a timely fashion so your judge isn't waiting waaaiting waaaaaiting for the next dog. You may not be on your feet all day, but your judge is! Plus, don't we *all* want to get home before bedtime???
Handlers are pretty focused on their courses, making sure they are there in time and are *not* watching their dogs carefully! (Case in point: It was *almost* "Pomeranian vs. Pit Bull" last weekend until the old "group dog trainer" in me hollered "Keep your dogs 6 feet apart!!!". Couldn't help myself...I "reverted to original training"!) I kind of figure the line up area is up to me to make sure is a safe place for everyone. The handlers aren't usually thinking about it, so someone has to! Just keep your eyes open and say something when needed. Earlier is better than later....
In closing, there's no need to be a "Gate Nazi" (as a dear friend calls it). Smile! Enjoy the dogs! Enjoy the handlers! Be as stress free as you can, making it as stress free for the handlers (and dogs!) as possible. Don't forget - step AWAY from the board! My dogs and I will thank you!
Sincerely looking forward to seeing your run from the best spot in the house,
Kyle
