Get Started in Dog Project

Youth Eligibility

Youth enrolled in Barron County Dog Project or 4-H club
Youth grades 3 - 13 can participate in group classes
Cloverbuds can participate in some activities, but cannot handle a dog in group classes or compete

Dog Eligibility

Must have current vaccinations and parasite treatment according to the current year handbook
Can be any breed or mixed breed, except wolf hybrids
Must be 6 months old by April 1st of the current year
Cannot have a history of protection training (e.g., bitework, Schutzhund)
Cannot be dangerous, unmanageable, or disruptive in group classes as determined by any Leader or 4-H staff.
Additional requirements may apply to individual dogs in order to maintain safety and animal welfare

Dog Project Overview

September - December

Enroll in Dog Project on 4honline.com. If you were not enrolled in Dog Project in 4honline by October 31, contact a Leader to make sure you get on our email list. (Leader contact information is in the project handbook.)

September to December is our off-season, but your dog learns every day! If you want to train in the off-season, contact a Leader for suggestions.

This is a great time to make your educational displays to enter in the fair, such as posters, handmade items for dogs, and photography!

January - April

Check the Dog Project calendar to start planning your schedule.

Check your dog's vaccine record to make sure they are current and meet the requirements in the handbook. Get a printed copy of your dog's proof of vaccination from your veterinarian.

Begin tracking time and expenses with the project sheet. This will help you complete your record book in August.

Watch your email for educational opportunities related to the Dog Project, such as Project Discovery Days activity offerings.

April 1st

Register by the March 21st deadline. The registration form and dog questionnaire will be shared in late February or early March. Submit dogs' proof of vaccination, dog questionnaire, and project fee ($25 per youth, $50 maximum per family, financial assistance is available) with the registration form to the 4-H office.

If you miss the April 1st registration deadline, your child can observe group classes and train your dog at home to start preparing for the following year. Your child can also participate in Dog Project at the fair by entering educational displays and photography exhibits.

April

Youth in their first year of Dog Project and dogs who have not participated in 4-H group training classes previously begin training classes in early April.

Youth and dogs should attend or make-up 2 out of 3 of these meetings. Contact a Leader if you have concerns about attendance.

Last weeks of April through July

Obedience classes
Agility classes
Showmanship classes

Group classes begin the last week of April and continue weekly through the fair in July. Youth must attend or makeup 75% of obedience group classes and agility classes (if participating in agility). Contact a Leader if you have concerns about attendance.

July

The Agility Show is held the Wednesday before fair week, at the fairgrounds.

The Dog Obedience Show is held on the Wednesday of fair week, at the fairgrounds.

August

Complete your project sheet for your record book. Submit your record book to your Club Leader by your club's deadline.

Don't stop training! Your dog learns every day, not just during Dog Project group lessons! If you're not sure what to train in the off-season, contact a Leader.

At the beginning of first-year, dogs are learning to choose to look away from their surroundings and interact with youth.

First Year

Most youth in grades 3 - 13 start here. Parents/guardians should help youth in grades 3 - 5 during training sessions at home. When experienced youth get a new dog, they return to first year again; they are experienced but it is their dog's first year.

Examples of Skills Learned

Youth can hold a leash appropriately in their right hand.
Youth can feed treats with their left hand and use a treat pouch or pockets.
Youth can use a food lure to prompt their dog to sit and stay in heel position. Youth can use a variety of strategies to teach their dog to sit in the front position.
Youth learn to reward behaviors they want their dog to repeat.
The dog chooses to walk with youth (e.g., loose leash walk) because staying near them is more rewarding than pulling on the leash or sniffing the ground.

Competition Level

Most youth compete in Beginner Pre-Novice obedience level. This level is divided into 4 entry classes so that youth compete against those of similar age and experience.

Dogs are becoming proficient in heeling skills, but youth still reward behaviors they want their dogs to repeat.

Second Year

Many youth can train independently in their second year, but some still need their parents/guardians to help youth during training sessions at home.

In their second year, youth can participate in agility and showmanship classes. They may also participate in Brace and Team obedience.

Examples of Skills Learned

Youth teach their dogs to find heel position (e.g., Finish). Youth teach their dogs to Stand and Drop.
Youth learn to "fade" a food lure and other strategies to reduce the amount of food rewards they use.
Dogs learn to perform obedience behaviors in more distracting environments, such as performing Long Sit and Long Down as a group.

Competition Level

Most youth compete in Pre-Novice level. This level is divided into 2 entry classes.

Third Year and Up

Youth begin focusing on areas of special interest, such as obedience, agility, or showmanship. All youth MUST continue to participate in obedience class.

Competition Level

Most youth repeat Pre-Novice level again in their 3rd year, or until their dog is able to heel off-leash.

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