Local 4-H youths getting ready for fair’s dog show

    Beth Loop has been a dog show instructor for local 4-H kids for years.
    “I did it as a leader when my kids were in 4-H,” Loop said.
    “I helped off and on after they grew up.”
    Loop is now the instructor, while Jodi Spady is the actual leader.
    “I said ‘I’ll be the instructor but not the leader,’” she joked. That’s when Spady offered to do the paperwork if Loop would provide her knowledge of dog showing.
    Loop used to show dogs professionally when she had Pomeranians. “I don’t show anymore though,” she said.
    While their practices on Wednesday nights are mostly to get the members ready for the dog show at the Chase County Fair, Loop has opened the practices to the public.
    Loop said there are different youths who show up each week for practice so she’s not sure how many will be competing at fair.
    If non-4-H members are interested in just working with their dog for pleasure or obedience purposes, they are invited to join Loop and her 4-H members at the open-air pavilion at the Chase County Fairgrounds at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday nights.
    “You’ve got to be repetitive (with your dogs). Just work with them 15 minutes in the morning and 15 at night and you’ll be surprised at the difference in them,” Loop said.