Hog Diggity Dog & More show brings animal tricks to the Lebanon Area Fair

Families who want to watch dogs, camels, a miniature pony, and a pig perform tricks each day can come to see Hog Diggity Dog & More, an animal show that’s running all week at the Lebanon Area Fair.

People can also stick around after the show to ride a camel around the pen.

The show, run by Hans Klose and Colleen Pages, begins with a summary of what guests should expect before getting right into the action.

“You’re going to see some of the fastest, funniest, cutest dogs around, and like the name of our show — Hog Diggity Dog — you’re going to meet this one big pig with a couple of very unique talents he can’t wait to show you,” Pages said in the introduction. “Last, but certainly not least, you’re going to meet a couple of our super cute camels and learn some fun facts about camels along the way.”

The show starts with some of the dogs, which weave between Klose’s legs as he walks, pose for photos, and jump through hoops. A tiny pomeranian showed off by walking on her hind legs while jumping over small hurdles.

Another dog, Dallas, climbed a ladder and a highwire on command, though he needed some additional prompting. Klose said he wanted his treat mid-climb due to the risk involved.

“[Dallas] said the trick is quite dangerous, you never know,” he said.

Klose brought out two young camels for the performance, showing how they’ve been trained to prance around the edge of the stage for the crowd and lie down on command.

The show also has an opportunity for a kid to volunteer to feed 600-pound Shelton the pig while he stands up on a pedestal. The kid also gets to sing “Old MacDonald Had a Farm,” with Shelton joining in with his own noises.

Amber Klinger was in the crowd with her kids during Sunday’s 5 p.m. show. She said it was her kids’ interest that brought them over to Hog Diggity Dog.

“The girls wanted to see the show, so we came over,” Klinger said. “We show dairy animals, so we’re here all week.”

She said her kids’ favorite parts were seeing the dogs do their tricks.

Hog Diggity Dog & More shows are scheduled at 7 and 9 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 5, 7, and 9 p.m. on Saturday at the Midway. The show is free to watch, but camel rides afterward cost $10 per person.