In the 4-H dog project you can learn about: how to care for and train a dog, diseases, breeds, grooming, health and nutrition, responsible breeding, service and therapy dogs, and careers that involve working with dogs. You'll work on leadership, sportsmanship and teamwork skills and can even compete in a 4-H dog show!
Due prior to start of class (April 29) or May 15, 2025
All dogs participating in the 4-H dog program must be up to date on vaccinations. A 4-H Dog Identification Affidavit form must be completed, verified by a veterinarian, and submitted online before you begin training or by May 15. If you submit your form after the May 15 deadline, your dog may still compete, but you will be ineligible for any purple ribbon awards or State Dog Show trips that you earn. Please make sure you have completed the entire form; it MUST have a vet’s signature and a clear color photograph.
ID forms and information can be found here.
Agility release forms can be found here.
April 21, 2025 @ 6:30 P.M at the Wright County Government Center, 3650 Braddock Ave NE, Buffalo
All class participants should plan on attending an informational meeting on April 21, starting at 6:30 p.m. Instructors will be going over your paperwork to ensure that everything is complete and everyone is enrolled in the correct classes. They will explain what the classes will be like and answer any questions you may have. Please do not bring your dog to this session.
Tuesday night sessions: April 29, May 6, 13, 20, June 3, 10, 17, 24, and July 1, 8 at the Wright County Fairgrounds, 5912 County Rd 6 SW, Howard Lake, MN 55349
*Register by April 22 online using your member account at: http://mn.4honline.com - $5 late fee applies
4-H Dog Training Class consists of ten sessions of obedience, agility and showmanship/Rally trainings taught by adult volunteer trainers. Youth and adults are welcome to participate.
Class Schedule will be determined after signup for classes is complete
All 4-Hers should check in with their instructor for special class instructions.
Everyone is responsible for cleaning up after their dog – Bags will be furnished
No drinking water will be available at this site so bring water for your dog from home.
Participants should be aware that, upon a trainer’s discretion, they may be required to move to a more advanced class based on prior experience or training.
4-H’ers compete in the same class during one project year at county and state show levels. They would move up to the next advanced class for the following year if they achieve a blue ribbon, with the exception of the Foundations class, which is limited to one year regardless of ribbon placement. This applies to Obedience, Showmanship, Rally and Agility. A 4-H’er can compete in a total of four obedience classes – two regular classes, Brace and Four Dog Team if they have 2 dogs.
Cost to attend class is $20 for 4-H members (even if they have 2 dogs) or $30 per class for a dog being trained by a parent of a 4-Her. Please pre-register by April 22. Any registrations received after April 22 will be charged a $5 late fee as this requires extra work on the part of the dog leaders. Contact the Extension Office to register an adult who is not a screened 4-H leader.
When you come to training, you must bring your dog on a collar and a 6-foot leash. To determine the size of choke collar for your dog, measure your dog’s neck and purchase a choke chain collar 2 inches larger than his neck. The chain should be long enough to allow 1-2 inches of chain to extend when it is taut. Flat buckle collars are also allowed. Your leash must be nylon, cotton webbing, or leather and suitable for your dog. NOTE: There is a 5-10 point deduction for any dog not on a 6’ long leash at judging time.
No Extra Dogs are allowed at the training site during 4-H dog training!
4-H will not be holding a vaccination clinic, however partial scholarships will be made available to obtain the required vaccinations from your regular vet in the instance they impose a financial hardship. Contact the office for assistance.
The following shots are required: Rabies and Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus (DHLPP) is required for 4-H dogs,
Please contact your vet to be sure of the shots your dog needs. Remember, your dog’s vaccinations have to be valid through the State 4-H Dog Show in late September.
July 12, 9:00 a.m., at the Wright County Fairgrounds
Registration due June 13 (Note: this is a separate process from the training class registration).
All 4-H Dog Project 4-Hers are encouraged to compete at the County 4-H Dog Show on July 12. Participation in the training classes is not required to be judged at the County 4-H Dog Show, except in the area of agility. ALL participants must register for each event they wish to compete in at the County 4-H Dog Show on their 4-H County Fair Registration form; registering for the training class DOES NOT automatically register you for the County Fair Show!! Failure to register can result in loss of eligibility for premiums and State Dog Show trips. The County 4-H Dog Shows are all held at the Wright County Fairgrounds in Howard Lake on Saturday July 12.
September 20-21, State Fairgrounds
4-H’ers grades 3+ who earn a achieve a blue ribbon or higher at the County 4-H Dog Show may compete at the State 4-H dog show. Information packets will be handed out to eligible 4-H’ers at the completion of the show.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Extension Office at 763-682-7394.
A class for participants in grades K-2. All exercises will be performed on leash and will include grooming, feeding, proper care and exercise for dogs, and going for a walk with their dog. This class will not be basic obedience, allowing Cloverbuds to remain eligible for Foundation classes when they reach the appropriate age.
Note: A Cloverbud may repeat this class as long as they are enrolled as a Cloverbud.
Obedience training is the process in which dogs and humans learn to communicate with each other. It is the process in which dogs learn how to be polite members of a household. It is also how they learn how to be a well-behaved companion in public.
Foundation
Beginner
Graduate Beginner
Novice
Graduate Novice
Pre-Open
Open
Graduate Open
Pre-Utility
Utility
Veteran Class
Brace
Four-Dog Team
Showmanship gives each 4-H member the opportunity to present themselves and their dog to the best of their ability. Showmanship competition provides 4-H members with a meaningful experience where they can practice and improve their handling and sportsmanship skills. This is exemplified by a handler working as a team with his or her dog, so the dog is stacked, alert, and under control, while at the same time the 4-H’er appears confident and in control. Showmanship allows 4-H members to learn about their breed of dog, general dog knowledge, and general grooming responsibilities.
Novice
Open
Excellent
Dog Agility combines the elements of a dog’s agility, briskness, confidence, and a handler’s control over an obstacle course designed for dogs. It’s a fun sport with a great spectator appeal! Jumps, tunnels, large A frame, pause table, pipe tunnel, collapsed tunnel, tire jump, long jump, dog walk, see saw, and weave poles are all part of the Dog Agility program.
IMPORTANT: All participants in agility training must complete an additional “Agility Release Form” before training can begin. Before they may take agility, participants must have achieved a qualifying score of 185 (blue ribbon) in dog obedience and participated in one other aspect of the dog project (showmanship, project bowl, obedience).
Limited Agility
Pre-Agility
Beginner
Elementary
Intermediate
Senior
Advanced
Jumpers IA
Jumpers 1B
Jumpers II
Jumpers III
Rally is a sport in which the dog and handler complete a course that has been designed by the rally judge. In short, Rally is a sport that combines the fast pace of Agility with the exercises of Obedience. The judge instructs the handler to begin. The dog and handler proceed at their own pace through a course of designated stations (8 to 20, depending on the level). Each station has a sign providing instructions regarding the next skill that is to be performed. Scoring is more lenient than that of traditional obedience.
The team of dog and handler move continuously at a brisk, but normal pace with the dog under control at the handler’s left side. There should be a sense of teamwork between the dog and handler both during the numbered exercises and between the exercise signs; however, perfect “heel position” is not required. Any faults in traditional obedience that would be evaluated and scored as a one point deduction or more should be scored the same in Rally, unless otherwise mentioned in the Minnesota 4-H Dog Rally Rules and Guidelines. After the judge’s “Forward” order, the team is on its own to complete the entire sequence of numbered signs correctly.
Unless otherwise specified in these rules and guidelines, handlers are permitted to talk, praise, encourage, clap their hands, pat their legs, or use any verbal means of encouragement. Multiple commands and/or signals using one or both arms and hands are allowed; the handler’s arms need not be maintained in any particular position at any time. The handler may not touch the dog (except where allowed by station) or make any physical corrections. At any time during the performance, loud or harsh commands or intimidating signals will be penalized.
Rally promotes fun, enjoyment and teamwork for dogs and handlers at all levels of competition.
Foundation
Beginner
Novice
Graduate Novice
Intermediate
Advanced
Pre-Excellent
Excellent
Pre-Master
Master
Veterans
Register for dog training today, using your 4HOnline account:
Select "Wright County 4-H Dog Training" under the events tab. Step-by-step instructions can be found at: http://z.umn.edu/4hEvent