Contest Ring Safety

• Professional Competitors commit themselves to fair play values, honesty, courtesy, and vigorous competition, as well as winning and losing with grace.

• Professional Competitors understand that competition and civility go hand in hand and can appreciate the merit of their competition and competitors' effort.

• Professional Competitors respect the rules and policies governing the IJA competition ring.

• Professional Competitors turn down any opportunity to take personal advantage of positions offered or bestowed upon them.

• Professional Competitors always consider the welfare of their dog as paramount.

• Professional Competitors understand the importance of using only safe products and how to mix products safe for pets.

• Professional Competitors understand the importance of using only proper and well-maintained tools and equipment with proper techniques.

• Professional Competitors understand the importance of education regarding proper products, equipment, and tools used in the competition ring and agree to participate in educational forums to understand better how to properly choose the best products, tools, and equipment for bathing, grooming, and styling man's best friend.

• Professional Competitors must read and understand the policies and procedures of the Safety Data Sheets. If there are any questions or concerns, contact IJA. Not knowing or understanding the rules is not an acceptable excuse for failure to comply.

All technical skills should be applied properly to maintain safety for competition dogs and competitors. Improper use of tools or techniques during the competition that would harm dogs or competitors is prohibited. Technical skills and techniques not listed must have prior approval from IJA.

​

Technical Skills Application & Finish

Tool: Brushes

Technical Skill:  Brushing

Brushes are held and applied correctly to coat. Coat brushed properly with no tangles. The coat appears healthy, not broken.

No visual signs of skin irritation.

Specialist

Expert

Master

Novice

​

Tool: Combs

Technical Skill: Combing

Combs are held properly and applied to coat correctly. Coat combed properly with no tangles. No visual signs of skin irritation.

Specialist

Expert

Master

Novice

​

Tool: Clippers

Technical Skill: Clipping

Clippers are held properly and applied to coat correctly. Coat clipped properly. Coat smooth and even - no clipper marks. No visual signs of skin irritation due to hot blades or blades that are not well maintained.

Specialist

Expert

Master

Novice

 

Tool: Rakes

Technical Skill: Raking 

Rakes held properly and applied to coat correctly. Coat bulk thinned, and undercoat removed properly—no visual signs of skin irritation due to excessive force or repetitive raking in one specific area. 

Specialist

Expert

Master

Novice

​

IJA Coat Coloring Safety Data Sheet

Coat coloring products must be applied with safety for the competition dog and competitor. Improper use of a product, tool, or technique during the competition that would harm the dog or the competitor is prohibited. Great care must be taken around the eyes, ears, and mouth when applying coloring products. Products not listed must have prior approval from judges. READ THE LABEL AND MIXING INSTRUCTIONS

​

All skin and coat care products must be applied with safety for competition dogs and competitors. Improper use of products or techniques during the competition that would harm dogs or competitors is prohibited. Products not listed must have prior approval from IJA.

​

Products Technical Skills Application & Finish

Product: Coloring Chalks

Some Artist Pastels contain pigments that are known to be toxic (Cadmium, Chrome, lead and Manganese) http://web.princeton.edu/sites/ehs/artsafety/sec10.htm

Technical Skill: Coloring coat with chalk.

Coat colored with chalk, using a powder, block, or crayon type application.

Specialist

Expert

Master

Novice

​

Product: Coloring Sprays

Technical Skill: Coloring coat with sprays.

Coat colored using temporary sprays.

Specialist

Expert

Master

Novice

 

Product: Coloring Rinses

Technical Skill: Coloring coat with temporary color. Coat colored using the temporary rinse.

Specialist

Expert

Master

Novice

​

IJA Coat Decorative Safety Data Sheet

All decorative objects must be lightweight and secured or attached safely to skin and coat. Safety for competition dogs and competitors is a priority. Attaching decorative objects improperly to coat during the competition would harm the dog or competitor. Decorative objects and techniques not listed must have prior approval from IJA.

​

All decorative objects must be safe to place on pets. Objects must not be large or bulky to cause physical harm to pets. Listed below are common types of objects applied.

​

Decorative objects are small and lightweight. Decorative objects must be applied safely around the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and sanitary areas. Typical decorative objects are:

Beads

Bows

Buttons

Feathers

Glitter

Rhinestones

Ribbons

Sequins

 

Product: Decorative object secured to coat with the bead.

Technical Skill: Object and coat placed through eye of the bead.

Bead is crimped to secure object to coat.

Specialist

Expert

Master

Novice

​

Products: Decorative object secured to coat with clip. 

Technical Skill: Object and coat clipped together. The clip is fastened to secure the object to coat.

Specialist

Expert

Master

Novice

 

Product: Glue

Technical Skill: Objects secured with glue to coat.

Glues should be water-soluble and Latex-free – Superglue and weave glues are not permitted.

Specialist

Expert

Master

Novice

​

The use of duct tape, carpet tape, or other product that may irritate skin or pull coat out to remove objects is not permitted. Clips and techniques or devices used to secure objects to coat must be applied properly, especially on ears and tail to prevent catching skin. Hot glue guns are not permitted. Any flame device is not permitted.

 

**No living object, creature, or thing allowed as a decorative object in the ring, such as a spider or bird.