4-H dog workshop teaches owners, pets new tricks

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Apr 1, 2001 by FLOYD LEE Capital-Journal

"Every pet dog needs a job, or they will assign themselves a job which you may not want them to be doing."

--- RICK RIGGS, dog trainer at the Shawnee County 4-H Dog Workshop

By FLOYD LEE

The Capital-Journal

When Rick Riggs, of Topeka, is doing something in one room of his home while his wife is doing something in another room, he doesn't have to walk or yell to be heard.

He simply hands a sticky note to his pet golden retriever, Murphy the Wonder Dog, and Murphy delivers the note directly to Riggs' wife.

Riggs was one of several experienced dog trainers who offered practical instruction, exercises and demonstrations to 4-H youth participants at the third annual Shawnee County 4-H Dog Workshop on Saturday. About 100 parents and youths attended the all-day event, accompanied by about 60 pet dogs of all sizes and breeds.

The workshop, designed for youths from ages seven to 18, explained a variety of methods to train a dog, and of strengthening the relationship between owner and dog.

"It helps dogs to become better citizens, and it helps us to be better trainers," said Gena Klise, of the Riverside 4-H Club in Berryton. Klise's 8-year-old son, Carter, was a participant along with his four-month-old black Labrador, Bailey.

Bailey had been abandoned in the middle of a highway on Valentine's Day, but was rescued by a friend of the family.

Workshop events included an Agility Training obstacle course, by Susan Portz, of Manhattan; Rally Style Obedience Competition exercises, by Charles L. "Bud" Kramer, of Manhattan; Clicker Training and obedience-at-a-distance training, by Melinda Murphy, of Blue Springs, Mo.; Musical Freestyle Dancing Competition, by Mari Beth Braunberger, of Sioux Falls, S.D.; Flyball Relay Race Competition, by Toni Kneen, of Topeka; and Teaching Tricks Using Food Lures Instead of Coercive Methods, by Riggs. Positive motivational methods were emphasized throughout the workshop.

Riggs said that although most dogs were no longer trained to do traditional jobs like sheepherding, they still needed tasks that provided mental stimulation.

"Every pet dog needs a job, or they will assign themselves a job which you may not want them to be doing," he said.

Amanda Feuerborn, 15, of Carbondale, said that she would try to teach her pet German Shepherd, Mocha, some tricks using Rigg's methods.

"I thought it was neat that Murphy could do all those tricks," she said.

Braunberger has performed precision dance movements with her dog, Ladd, for pediatric hospital patients and in competitions. She said the workshop helped build character.

"It really develops patience and responsibility in youth," she said.

Waldes said the event would help attendees to become responsible pet owners.

"If people were doing this at home and working with their dogs," she said, "you would not have dogs roaming or acting inappropriately with kids. This would cut down on dog bites and careless breeding.

"It's not the dog's fault they end up in the pound."

The Paw Prints 4-H Club of Shawnee County conducted the Dog Workshop. Workers helping with the event were Phil and Rachel Black, Mena Herd, Mac McCandless, Jessica Elsen, Karen Elsen, Don Ford, Angie Ford, Aleigha Ford, Erica Ford, Katelyn Ford and Hayden Ford. Workshop sponsors were Cytek, Sherwin-Williams Co., Home Depot, Highland Park Animal Clinic, Dog Wise Direct Books and Roundout Kennels.

Floyd Lee can be reached at

(785) 295-1283 or flee@cjonline.com.