Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008

4-H dog project a labor of love

by Sara Peterson-Davis

Of all the 4-H projects she's participated in, Dakota Hoagland found her first year in the dog project the most challenging. It was also her favorite.

"You have to spend time with them everyday," said the 14-year-old, who participates with her border collie, Spur. "It takes more time and more effort than a lot of other projects."

The duo competed Saturday night in the pre-agility class of the Jefferson County 4-H Happy Trackers Agility Show. The show was one of several events that kicked off this year's Jefferson County 4-H Fair.

Dakota spent a minimum of 15 minutes twice each day preparing Spur for the pre-agility competition. They also participated in showmanship and obedience.

"You have to be consistent," said Dakota, who belongs to the Prosperity 4-H Club. "It's been a lot of fun."

Because they work as a team, she said one of the most difficult parts of preparing for a show is staying positive when things aren't going well.

"The hardest part is probably staying happy with how your dog did even when he's had a bad day. If I don't sound happy, he doesn't feel very good about things either."

About 20 Jefferson County 4-H'ers participated in the countywide dog program this year, said project leader Andy Conser.

Saturday night's agility competition and the showmanship and obedience competitions the weekend before gave the kids a chance to show what they and their dogs had learned.

"We've been training all summer," said Conser, who competed in the dog project back when he was a 4-H'er.

"The fair is really a culmination of all that work."

The agility competition has only been a part of 4-H dog project about six years. The program, which challenges 4-H'ers to train their dogs to go through a series of obstacles, is credited with bringing new life to the program.

"A few years ago we saw the number of participants in the dog program decline," Conser said. "It bounced back when they introduced agility. My only regret is that I didn't get to compete in agility."

In agility participants are judged on both time and their dog's ability to complete the obstacles. Each obstacle is assigned a point value for a total of 200 points. Participants compete on four levels depending on their experience.

"Ideally, it's a 200-point system and then it's how fast they can do it in," Conser said.

This year's dog show was dedicated to Emily Starr, who won the 2008 Spirit of the Dog Award. The award recognizes the Jefferson County 4-H'er whose attitude and effort exemplifies the dog program.

This is the last year of 4-H competition for Emily and her 10-year-old black Labrador, Duchess. She starts classes at Washburn University later this month.

"I'm going to miss it (the dog program) a lot," said Emily, who participated in the program for six years. "It's been my favorite project in 4-H. I've made a lot of friends."

For Logan Ratliff the dog program gives her a chance to spend time with one of her best friends of all, her miniature schnauzer, Buddy.

"It's my favorite project," said the 13-year-old member of the Valley Victors 4-H Club. "When I walk with my dog we bond, but when we do this it's an even bigger bond."