Working for the simple but rewarding cost of a marshmallow per trick, you will see black bears perform to the delight of their audiences. “The Great Little Bear show” is led by trainer and owner Jeanette Rix of Middletown, NY.
Jeanette trained under her father for many years before his passing away. She carries on his tradition of caring for the bears while training them with kindness and love.
There has always been some danger when working with animals as large and powerful as bears. Her bears weigh in at more then 200 pounds, which is smaller than the 1,000 – 1,500 bears she worked with before her father passed away. With all wild animals there is always a constant danger but it is something you have to have experience to handle.
The spring is a critical time of year for danger as that is during the bears mating season. She must be extra careful, as the bears aren’t thinking straight. Still she doesn’t worry because of the good nature of her bears. Raising the bears on their own farm makes an immeasurable difference because she does all the hands-on work with them at an early age.
Keeping the bears happy is important to the show. That’s where the marshmallows come in. With each successful trick, the bear gets a marshmallow or two, instantly gobbled by the animal.
The bears perform such tricks as dancing with their trainer, slipping down a slide, standing and spinning on a barrel and various other performances that are based on hamming it up for the audience. They have wonderful personalities. They each have their won little world and approach to things, which is what makes the show unique.