Ross County Fairgrounds – Dogs run, jump, spin, balance and almost fly – several times a day in a free demonstration at the fair.
Performance Dogs of Ohio offers a mini dog Olympics on a small event site next to the Small Animal Arena where the Antique Tractors used to be (see my story on the new location).
I spoke with Ashleigh, the head trainer, and Ariel, one of the troupe’s owners, after their show on Thursday afternoon. One of the dogs who performed is “Jackal” – a Ross County native who was rescued when there were only 24 hours left. As featured in the show, “he is now one of the best freestyle flying disc dogs in the country.”
In their show, they also offer advice on how to deal with high-energy dogs: mental stimulation is key. They say five minutes of training or exercise can make up for two hours of simple activity like catching a Frisbee.
For training, they recommend “The Big Book of Tricks for the Best Dog Ever”. Their final advice is to have fun with your dog and build a bond with him.
Hear Ashleigh and Ariel in their own words (and Jackal, without barking) in the interview video below. Also check out my selections from their 45-minute show, which climaxes with Jackal’s performance.
Check the event calendar for their three performances on Saturday, the last day of the fair. Check the event calendar for their three performances on Saturday, the last day of the fair. They will then continue their tour of Ohio: first at the Maumee Summer Fair, then through August in Cleveland, Marion, Coshocton, Pataskala, Hilliard and Van Wert.
Performance Dogs of Ohio has a website, a Facebook page, X / Twitter Account, YouTube page and Instagram account.
