Minnesota Operation: Military KidsExtension > Youth Development > Minnesota 4-H > Projects > Animal Science > Dog
Dog Project
Learn to train a dog for agility, obedience, showmanship or as an ideal pet. Topics include canine behavior, breed characteristics, diseases, ethics, grooming, health, nutrition, responsible breeding, service dogs, therapy dogs, dog-related careers, and the wide array of dog sports. You can also choose to compete in the 4-H county or state dog show.
State & regional events
To view county or local club events, visit the county website.
Dog Project State Fair Showcase
The state dog committee likes to highlight the Minnesota 4-H Dog project at the Minnesota State Fair during the livestock encampment weekend, and needs youth from the 4-H dog project to be involved in this showcase. This is a great opportunity to help promote the Minnesota 4-H Dog Project and we need lots of help to make this a success! More info.
- August 2013 - 4-H building, Minnesota State Fairgrounds
Minnesota 4-H State Dog Show
The Minnesota 4-H State Dog Show is an annual event held in the fall after the Minnesota State Fair. The state show consists of agility, obedience, and showmanship events. To be eligible for the state show, 4-Hers must first qualify at their county level. More info
- September 2013 - Minnesota State Fairgrounds, St. Paul
4-H Regional & State Project Bowls
Project Bowls are an exciting way for youth to explore a project area. Teams compete in quiz competitions with questions about specific project areas. Project Bowls are available for Dairy, Dog, General Livestock (Beef, Sheep & Swine), Horse, Poultry, Rabbit and Wildlife projects. Winners of the Regional Bowls advance to the State Bowl. More Info
Minnesota State Fair
4-H plays a pivotal role in youth development and public education at the Minnesota State Fair. Over 7,000 4-H youth have the opportunity to interact with the public and educate fairgoers through 4-H exhibits, demonstrations, performances, and 4-H promotion. More info
Dog Project resources
Beginning to learn about dogs:
- Dog 1 - Wiggles 'n Wags ($3.95 (40 pages) Find this in the 4-H Mall)
Some experience with this project:
- Dog 2 - Canine Connection ($3.95 (40 pages) Find this in the 4-H Mall)
Looking for a challenge:
- Dog 3 - Leading the Pack ($3.95 (40 pages) Find this in the 4-H Mall)
Learning resources for all levels:
- Identifying 4-H Dog Project (Video)
- The Complete Dog Book For Kids (ISBN 0876054602) Visit your local bookstore or library or order online
- Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook - Fourth Edition (ISBN 0470067853) Visit your local bookstore or library or order online
Dog Project areas
Showmanship
- Showmanship Rule Book (1.7 MB PDF)
- Table Showmanship Guidelines (46 K PDF)
Score sheets
Rally
- Rally Obedience Rules & Guidelines book (181 K PDF) Updated December 2011
- Rally score sheet (19 K PDF) Updated 11/28/10
- Rally honor score sheet (17 K PDF) Updated 4/21/10
- Rally levels (20 K PDF)
- Rally resources (10 K PDF)
- Rally signs (59 K PDF)
Obedience
- Dog Obedience Rules & Guidelines book (231 K PDF) Updated December 2011
Score sheets
- Beginner A (39 K PDF)
- Beginner B (39 K PDF)
- Graduate beginner (39K PDF)
- Novice (39 K PDF)
- Graduate novice (40 K PDF)
- Pre-open (39 K PDF)
- Open (39 K PDF)
- Graduate open (40 K PDF)
- Pre-utility (40 K PDF)
- Utility (45 K PDF)
- Four-dog team (40 K PDF)
- Long sit & long down (26 K PDF)
Agility
- Dog Agility Rules & Guidelines book (1.2 MB PDF)
- Agility classes release form (84 K PDF) Updated December 2011
- Agility resources
Score sheets
Project leader resources
- Dog Project Guide for Training & Shows (103 K PDF)
- Dog - Helper's Guide ($3.95 (40 pages) Find this in the 4-H Mall)
- Dog - Set of Four ($3.95 (40 pages) Find this in the 4-H Mall)
These resources are needed for 4-H dog shows:
Additional resources for 4-H dog project:
Other online resources
4-H Youth record keeping
Project evaluation
- Pets (Small Pets, Dogs, Rabbits) evaluation sheet (42 K PDF) Revised April, 2010
