Stilts for Show Dogs: Is It Going Too Far?

Show-dog handlers sometimes have trouble getting restless dogs to stand still when they’re being evaluated by judges. So, Australian dog trainer Ashley Reid developed a controversial new tool called Show Stackers — little pedestals for each of the dogs’ four paws that are used in training for dog shows. Once balanced, the stilts are supposed to make the dog stay put. But some people in the dog community argue that the device makes dogs fearful of falling. Just this week, England’s Kennel Club denounced the product.

Reid tells PEOPLE Pets her device gets the dogs used to standing still slowly, through positive reinforcement like praise and treats. “I normally place them on the stackers for only ten seconds or so the first time, take them off, praise them and then repeat the process,” Reid says. “The second time they are normally very comfortable.”

Reid’s online store says the stackers have been in development for eight years and are used to train even puppies to remain calm. “A few minutes a day training on the Show Stackers will turn your fidgety dog into the confident show dog a judge will notice,” the site claims.

Caroline Kisko, a spokeswoman for England’s Kennel Club, says the device can generate fear in dogs. "The Kennel Club sees no room within the dog show world for any device which forces dogs to stay still through fear of falling, and we strongly advocate that dogs need to enjoy showing to produce winning results,” she says. Kisko is also worried that people would try homemade versions, especially on young puppies. Beverly Cuddy, editor of Dogs Today, recently blogged about the device: “I have to say I am speechless. I thought I had seen everything...”

Despite the controversy, Reid’s Show Stackers are selling quite well. She says that many training clubs buy full sets and that they have been sold throughout Europe, North America and Asia.

Carol Vinzant