Dodge County 4-H Dog Show kicks off fair festivities
Dogs of all ages, shapes, sizes and ability filled the Dodge County Fairgrounds for the Dodge County Fair 4-H Dog Show on July 11.
Around 20 youth participated in the event ranging in age from third grade up to a freshman in college. All of the participants are involved in the Dodge County 4-H Dog Project.
Rhonda Weis, fair dog superintendent and dog project trainer, has been involved with the dog project for at least 25 years now and also participated in the project when she was younger. She estimates the Dog Project first started in the county in the 1970s.
“These guys all work very hard and have phenomenal parents who support them,” Weis said.
The Dog Project’s main purpose is to teach 4-H’ers to develop leadership, self-reliance and sportsmanship along with learning a greater love for animals and how to work well with others. During the project 4-H’ers have the opportunity to attend the State Fair Showcase, the Minnesota 4-H Dog Show, 4-H regional and state project bowls and other invitational dog shows.
Weis says her kids learn about leadership, the importance of being a team player and how to accept mistakes. “I really push them to be a leader. They compete against each other, but if somebody needs something they are going to help one another,” she said.
Dog Project trainer Sonja Kitzerow added, “I think they take away ownership of their animal. It is not mom and dad’s dog anymore; it is their dog. They take away a sense of pride on how far their dog has come, especially when they start getting into some of the higher classes. It is a big deal to get some of these dogs to fetch dumb bells and jump over jumps.”
Weis and Kitzerow have been working with the kids to prepare for the show since March. Their favorite part about their involvement with the project is working with and developing relationships with the kids.
“I love all these kids. They are a great bunch of kids and they are fun to get along with,” Kitzerow said. “It is fun having new kids come in and you teach them all kinds of stuff and they didn’t know they could do that with their dog. Watching them blossom is just amazing.”
During the show the dogs and their handlers were judged in three categories: rally, obedience and showmanship. Within each of those categories dogs competed in different classes based on their level.
In each class there is champion and reserved champion and anyone who receives a blue ribbon is eligible to participate in the Minnesota 4-H Dog Show in September.
“I just want every one of them to have the opportunity to go the state dog show,” Weis said. “One thing I’ve always told them is it is just one day out of our life. If the dog makes a mistake or you make a mistake it is just another day. There will be another opportunity.”
Kitzerow added her hope for the kids, “I hope they take away that they can succeed with an animal. For a kid coming in and not knowing what is going to happen and for them to walk out of the ring with a blue ribbon and knowing how well they did is a huge success.”
Tim Moenning, of Dodge Center, has been involved in the Dog Project since third grade. “I enjoy the camaraderie with everyone. Rhonda has really taught us to help each other. We are all here to have fun, but need to take it seriously, too,” he said.
Moenning showed a six-year-old black lab named Sheldon. The dog belongs to Kitzerow’s oldest son who recently left to be in the Air Force. Kitzerow is hoping Moenning can form a bond with the dog to help ease the transition of her son being gone.
Belle O’Brien, of West Concord, has been involved in the Dog Project for four years. She wanted to do the project because she “loves being around dogs and thought it would be a good experience.”
O’Brien has also enjoyed being able to make new friends. She showed two five-year-old American Eskimo Australian shepherds in two classes, Charlie and Lilly.
“You can’t always be the best at everything and you won’t always win,” O’Brien said about what she has learned from being involved in the project.