BOARDMAN — The pandemic lockdown has done little to stop one 4-H dog lover from training.

Cassidy Carlson, 10, daughter of Shawn and Amy Carlson of Boardman, has kept the training sessions moving along with her 1-year-old Corgi named Blaze.

“I have just started agility (training) for this upcoming year,” Cassidy said. “I set up an obstacle course in my back yard and have been training with Blaze. I also do showmanship, which involves teaching the dog to stand properly and follow a pattern.”

Both the showmanship and agility course are competitions held in the Junior Fair complex during the Canfield Fair. The competition represents the climax of a year of hard work and training.

Cassidy said she enjoys it, even though she is in just her second year as a member of the Youngstown Tailwaggers of Mahoning County 4-H Club. Last year, her first competitions at the Canfield Fair were in showmanship and the “Me and My Dog” categories.

For her training this year, the pandemic changed things a bit. While the group normally gathers at the Canfield Fairgrounds, those sessions have been canceled because of social distancing requirements. The members are still getting support while they stay at home.

“I like how everyone (in Tailwaggers) supports each other and gets along,” Cassidy said. “We cannot meet and do our training sessions, so I am doing it on my own with the help and tips that our advisers post on Facebook.”

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