George Alston has been one of the country's preeminent professional handlers for over thirty years. Now, the secrets of his success are shared with every dog fancier.

The Winning Edge is the very first book to apply sports psychology to dog showing. Here, serious exhibitors, including the seasoned veteran, will have the opportunity to develop and polish the skills necessary to take a place in the winners' circle. With award-winning author Connie Vanacore, George Alston shows us all how to gain consistent success in the only sport in which amateurs compete directly with the professionals. Chapters focus on the advantages of being an amateur and underscore the necessity for the mental preparation and psychology that are essential to every exhibitor's success.

The authors cover every ingredient in the recipe for show ring success, with chapters on the perfect handler, the making of a show dog, psychocybernetics, where and how to focus when in the ring and learning from the competition.

The Winning Edge, an essential for every dog exhibitor's bookshelf, now makes George Alston's professional know-how available to everyone with the desire to win.

Table of Contents:
Foreword.
Introduction.
1. The Perfect Handler.
2. The Right Stuff—The Making of a Show Dog.
3. Back to Basics.
4. Obedience and Conformation.
5. Training for the Show Ring.
6. The Psychology of the Show Ring.
7. Preparation for the Ring.
8. Grooming for the Show Ring.
9. When You Are in the Ring.
10. Etiquette and Sportsmanship.
11. Planning a Campaign.
12. Helpful Hints.

Hardcover 160 pages
Author George G. Alston