Dog Resources

2021 General Dog Show Information

2021 Permission to Participate in Ohio 4-H Dog Activities Disclosure and Release of Claims

Required Form

The Permission to Participate in Ohio 4-H Dog Activities Disclosure and Release of Claims document is mandatory for ALL 4-H dog project members who are enrolled in dog projects where they have a 4-H project dog(s). ALL youth enrolled in 4-H dog projects are required to sign the 2021 Permission to Participate in Ohio 4-H Dog Activities Disclosure and Release of Claims document, as well as a parent or guardian is required to sign this document, before youth are allowed to participate in any 4-H dog activities with their dogs. A current year's Form MUST be signed EACH year and BEFORE a youth participates in the Ohio 4-H Dog Program with their project dog(s). This document MUST be kept on file at the county Extension office. It is also recommended the 4-H club advisor and parent/guardian keep a signed copy.

2021 County Dog Project Identification Form and Vaccination Certificate

2021 County Dog Project Identification Form and Vaccination Certificate (may be used in place of OSF Dog Project ID and Vaccination Certificate with county approval)
2021 County Dog Project Identification Form and Vaccination Certificate in Word Document

2021 Ohio 4-H Dog Program Sponsor Form

If you would like to sponsor awards for our 4-H Dog Program, click here to download a Sponsor Form. The only way we can provide awards for our youth is with the support of our very gracious sponsors! Thank you!

2020-2021 "A" Classes

During this time when there have not yet been any in-person 4-H dog shows, some youth are showing their dogs virtually in 4-H club/county virtual dog shows. Because of this, the question from many 4-H advisors is, “Can youth/dogs who are “A”-class eligible this year and showing virtually, remain “A”-class eligible in 2021?” That answer is “YES” provided they meet the qualifications listed below.

Dog show classes are confusing to many, and when divided into “A” and “B” classes for show disciplines, such as obedience and rally, it gets even more confusing. So, what does CLASS mean, as well as “A” and “B” classes?

Class – refers to the two classes within certain disciplines and/or discipline levels. The letters “A” and “B” refer to the experience of the youth and dog.

a. “A” classes are for handlers or dogs with NO training or showing experience prior to the county’s current project year. “A” classes can never be repeated by the same youth, regardless of what dog is shown. “A” classes can never be repeated by the same dog, regardless of what youth shows that dog. Refer to “A” class information in the rules for each show discipline.

b. “B” classes can be repeated by the same youth regardless of what dog is shown, and by the same dog, regardless of who shows that dog, provided the youth and/or dog are not the class winners (exception: Showmanship and You & Your Dog). If/when a youth and/or dog wins first place in a “B” class, the youth and dog must move to the next level (exception: Showmanship, You & Your Dog, and specified advanced obedience classes). A dog must move to a higher level within a discipline, once that dog begins performing at that higher level. (Refer to each of the show discipline’s rules for rules specific to that discipline.)

Here is the statement approved by the State 4-H Dog Advisory Committee about youth eligible for “A” dog show classes in 2020 showing in “A” dog show classes in 2021:

“Youth who are eligible for “A” dog show classes in 2020 will remain eligible to show in the same “A” classes in 2021 provided they have not or do not show their dogs at a county fair/pre-fair 4-H dog show or any regularly scheduled 4-H dog show during this project year. If they show their dogs in “A” classes in virtual dog shows this year, they will remain eligible for the same “A” classes in 2021. Entering virtual shows will not automatically require them to move to a “B” class next year.

Please keep in mind that dogs earning Obedience and/or Rally titles outside of 4-H at any Licensed or Member Obedience/Rally Trial or at a Sanctioned Match in 2020 must show their dogs at the same or higher Level B classes than they are showing in AKC, UKC, etc. in 2021. Youth eligible for “A” classes showing in this manner must then move to the same or higher “B” class in 2021 with those dogs (Obedience Rules, p. 20 and Rally Rules, p. 17). Dogs with AKC Jr. Handling or like experiences must be shown in exhibitor age-appropriate B classes (Showmanship Rules, p. 19).”

2021 Showmanship and You and Your Dog Questions

2021 Rules for Ohio 4-H/Ohio State Fair Participation

AKC "At Home with My Dog" Art Contest

AKC Public Education Staff has established the AKC “At Home with My Dog” Art Contest: You can view the link to the contest here: https://www.akc.org/public-education/akc-home-dog-art-contest/.

Virtual Trick Dog Testing from AKC!

Rally Fun with 4-H

Kristina Morgan, 4-H advisor, judge, and State 4-H Dog Advisory Committee member has created this great Rally instructional PowerPoint.

Happy Tails 4-H Club Trick Dog Video Presentation

YouTube Link

Facebook Page Link

Obedience and Showmanship Videos

These videos created by Kayla Miller, Fulton County 4-H Educator, detail what is expected in different levels for 4-H Obedience and Showmanship Disciplines.

Obedience: https://youtu.be/Gy6_trEbkOs

Showmanship: https://youtu.be/UwjFUBdAqO8

2019 Ohio 4-H Dog Judges' Guidelines

Click here to download guidelines for judges when judging Showmanship, Obedience, and Rally at Ohio 4-H Dog Shows, including the Ohio State Fair.

Rally Information

AKC Rally Resources
The new AKC Rally Sign Set must be used when training for and judging 4-H Rally classes.
Rally Mini Signs with Descriptions

AKC Trick Dog and CGC

Trick Dog FAQs
Trick Dog Evaluator Guide (effective March 1, 2019)
AKC Canine Good Citizen Test e-Booklet
AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator Guide

Partnership with AKC

The American Kennel Club is excited to continue to offer 4-H members an opportunity to try AKC events. They have developed a special form (see link below) that allows 4-H members to 1) obtain an AKC junior handler number and 2) (if necessary) obtain an AKC participation number for their dog, at no charge. (While the junior number is always free, there is normally a $35 fee to get a Purebred Alternative Listing or Canine Partner (All-American Dog) number for a dog). Once the 4-H member has a junior handler number and a participation number for their dog, they can begin participating in AKC events, earning AKC titles on their dogs, as well as get points in the new Junior Recognition Program.

There are several events that may be held independently of an AKC club, where AKC titles may be earned by 4-H members. These include the Agility Course Test, the Canine Good Citizen Test, Trick Dog Testing, as well as the Farm Dog Certification. Also, special for 4-H dog clubs, AKC will process the CGC and Trick Dog title applications at no charge (normally $20.00 for each title), following instructions on the letter from AKC in the link below, which includes the Canine Partners/PAL/Junior Number application. Forms MUST be submitted in groups by 4-H clubs, 4-H show committees, etc. Individuals may NOT submit single forms.

Youth with dogs with AKC registration numbers mnust complete a Junior Handler Number application, but do not need to complete the CP/PAL/Junior Number special form.

AKC Letter and CP/PAL/Jr. Number Application

AKC Junior Handler, PAL, and Trick Dog Information

How can You Apply for a PAL Number
AKC Purebred Alternative Listing Application (including how to take pictures for PAL Application)
AKC Junior Handler Number Request
Trick Dog Title Application

Revisions to the Dog Resource Handbook

Dog Resource Handbook (201R) – Updates to this book have been added to our Books/Resource page under Publication Updates. There are two versions: 2016 edition and 2018 edition. Members can download one pdf with all the changes depending on which edition they own. Changes were made in these chapters: Breeds, Grooming, Communication and Behavior, Obedience, Judging, Showmanship, and Working Dogs. You can also click on the links below to download the updates:

4-H Dog Project and Record Book - (c)2017

Please make sure when you purchase the 201 4-H Dog Project and Record Book from your county Extension office that you purchase the edition with a 2017 copywrite. Each 4-H dog project member should buy a new 4-H Dog Project and Record Book each year and use it to keep records for ALL of their dog projects, regardless of the number of projects and number of project dogs.

Presentations from Ohio 4-H Conference

4-H Dogs 2019. This is the PowerPoint that was shown at the March 9, 2019 O4HC Dog Session.

You CAN Teach an Old (and Young) Dog New Tricks. (2018) This is the PowerPoint Kristen VanNess showed in this session. It is a Google document with links to Tricks training videos.

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