My 4H Dog-Weekend Experience

Did you know that I'm a leader for a 4H Dog Club called Paws and Effect? Did you know that I'm living vicariously through these kids and I would have been in my total and complete element if I knew about something like this as a kid? 

Well, this past weekend was my second time joining our kids at a wonderful event that another 4H Dog Club puts on called All About the Dogs Weekend where approximately 50 4H kids and their dogs show up to learn, to educate, collaborate, train, practice, and bond with their dog. And bond they did! It is always such an incredible experience to go to all the 4H events to watch the relationship building, the confidence building, and the educational opportunities, as well as the struggles, the tears, and the comradery that results. 

I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate Emily and Dozer on their Intermediate Trick Dog Title, which requires 10 different dog tricks, performed twice. Emily has worked incredibly hard over the last year and to see how much she has grown with Dozer has been such a blessing to me. 

And Sophie - Sophie has such a deep love for this dog and animals that although she sometimes needs to remember to show her joy externally, we know how she feels in her soul!

Most of all, please take a moment to share your appreciation for the fact that they did it all using positive reinforcement training! 4H is on their way to more positive methods overall and while there were a few instances where I could get up on my soapbox about some of the older methods used, overall, we are headed in the right direction and I'm so grateful that our club has shown how successful positive training can be.

On to fair season next! 

Sophie and Brewski learn the "Peek-A-Boo" trick!

Emily and Dozer performing "Paws Up" as their final trick to earn his Intermediate Trick Dog Title