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# Local dog is finalist for Dog Show USA
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/local-dog-is-finalist-for-dog-show-usa/
- Published: 2007-02-12T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T00:02:46.000Z
- Author: Melody Hanatani
- Tags: local, Santa Monica, #archive-import

Chicago.

Voters can view a video of Hudson performing her tricks online — sneezing, waving good-bye and feigning shyness.

“I’m not surprised,” Gershberg said on Thursday, alluding to Hudson’s berth in the finals. “Her personality comes through in the videos.”

Hudson is a good learner, Gershberg said proudly. The dog, who is constantly in and out of surgery for a bevy of illnesses unique to the Bernese Mountain breed, learned to “play shy” when Gershberg said “be shy” while Hudson wiped her eyes with her paws.

“Whenever I had food with me in the room, I’d look up and hear a noise and see Hudson put her paws over her face,” Gershberg said.

Waving came naturally, since most dogs like to raise their paws to their owners. The trick was easily learned with a few commands of “wave hi” or “wave bye” whenever Hudson gave her paw.

Talent appears to run in the family. Gershberg’s German Shepherd mix and Border Collie mix dogs can also perform several tricks, though both dogs are reluctant to play along, she said.

Ten-year-old Oliver can sing along to music while Callisto, also 10-year-old, can smile.

“They’re not as willing,” Gershberg said. “They’ll do it if they want food.”

There also appears to be some sibling rivalry. Hudson, who is not good at sharing the spotlight, will use her tricks to her advantage whenever Callisto or Oliver are getting too much attention. The shyness trick always seems to be a winner.

“She’s such a diva,” said Gershberg, a dog walker and screenwriter Dog Show USA is the largest online dog show open to all dogs, regardless of whether they are pure or mixed breed, according to Kenan Harkin, the host of the online dog competition and an NBC personality.

The winner will claim a free trip to Philadelphia for the National Dog Show presented by Purina. All finalists have already secured a free one-year’s supply of Purina Pro Plan dog food.

“I think it’s a great event for families to be involved in,’ Harkin said on Thursday. “I think it’s a lot of fun and we had 14,000 entries, so quite a lot of people jumped on board.”

Voting ends on Feb. 18\. Ballots can be cast at www.dogshowusa.com.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/021207-15_02.jpg)

SPLENDID IN THE GRASS: Hudson’s feigned shyness is attracting dog show attention. (Photo: Photo courtesy)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 12, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/021207.pdf?ref=smdp.com)