4-H TRAINS OWNERS IN HOW TO
TRAIN DOGS
STORY BY JEFF WILFORD
STAFF WRITER
Through eight years and two dogs, from fifth grade through her senior year, Rylie Sytsma took the dog training class 4-H offers its members.
Then, when she finished cosmetology school and returned to Oskaloosa last year, she joined up again— now as a helper.
“ This program teaches responsibility, patience and leadership skills, while also helping dogs learn obedience and agility,” Sytsma said.“ It also strengthens the bond between the handler and their dog, which is one of the most rewarding aspects.”
The Mahaska County 4-H offers Dog Project classes every year to 4-H members, and only 4-H members. The classes can satisfy the requirement all 4-H members have to have a project, said Regina Hoy, the program’ s superintendent.
The program runs from late April up until the Iowa State Fair in August. It’ s been used to prepare members to compete in the 4-H Dog Show at the Iowa State Fair, Hoy said. Participating in the dog show is not required to enroll in the classes.
“ It’ s both to prepare for the dog show, and to prepare the dog to be a well-behaved dog at home,” Hoy said.“ It’ s useful for them. It’ s helpful for the dog and the family.”
The first thing to remember about the dog program is that training the dogs is not the ultimate goal, but rather a means to an end.
“ We don’ t actually train the dogs, we train the kids,” Hoy said.“ And then the kids train their own dogs.”
The classes meet one night a week. It’ s up to each person in the class to use what they learn in class to work on training the dogs at home, Hoy said. If a dog’ s only exposure to obedience training is one night a week, it won’ t stick.
“ If you don’ t train and care for your dog, they won’ t listen to you,” Sytsma said.“ Patience is also key because training takes time, and every dog learns
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