2008 Ohio 4-H Dog Program Information

2008 Ohio 4-H Dog Program Information

Ohio 4-H Dog Resource Handbook and Dog Project and Record Book

The new dog books as described in the 2008 Family Guide, http://www.ohio4h.org/familyguide/, available from your county Extension office, manage the various projects within those areas differently than before. All former dog projects are combined into one Resource Handbook and one Project and Record Book.  Each dog project, whether it’s 201D You and Your Dog, 201O Obedience, 201S Showmanship, 201P Performance, or 201W Working Dogs, is supported by the Dog Resource Handbook and the Dog Project and Record Book. When you order publications, you’ll see just 201 and 201R, but you’ll need the more specific numbers for enrollment purposes.  Refer to a more detailed explanation later in this document.

Going to one Dog Project and Record Book represents a big improvement in our approach. A member with multiple dog projects, for example, is required to buy just one Dog Project and Record Book, regardless of the number or types of dog projects s/he wants to do. Members still are required to buy a project book every year.

The long-awaited dog project books will be available until in February. When the Family Guide went to press, we were confident about a November delivery date. We aren’t meeting that for a number of reasons. Please hang in there. They are really good books.  Extension educators will be notified as soon as these books are on the shelf and ready for sale.  

In the meantime, as 4-H club advisors and members get started on their projects, it might help to know that the learning activities for these project and record books are posted online at http://www.ohio4h.org/publications. Instead of pages of activities to choose from in the book, members are now being asked to come up with five of their own learning activities based on their interests. There are level-specific examples in each project book and long lists of ideas on the web.  An example of the format for the learning activity pages is illustrated in the Llama and Alpaca Project and Record Book and also online.

• 201R Dog Resource Handbook
• Required supplement for dog projects
• Purchase this one time and keep it throughout 4-H dog project career
• Families may share
• 182 pages of information about dogs
• Contents include:
• The 4-H Dog Project
• Chapter 1 – Characteristics of Dogs
• Chapter 2 – Breeds
• Chapter 3 – Conformation
• Chapter 4 – Grooming
• Chapter 5 – Selection
• Chapter 6 – Communication and Behavior
• Chapter 7 – Puppy Care and Socialization
• Chapter 8 – Beginning Training Techniques
• Chapter 9 – Obedience
• Chapter 10 – Judging
• Chapter 11 – Showmanship
• Chapter 12 – Performance Events
• Chapter 13 – Working Dogs
• Chapter 14 – Showing Your Project Dog
• Chapter 15 – Anatomy and Physiology
• Chapter 16 – Health
• Chapter 17 – Nutrition and Exercise
• Chapter 18 – Reproduction
• Careers
• Glossary
• Resources
• References
• Curriculum Materials Service

• 201 Dog Project and Record Book
• Complete one Dog Project and Record Book every year
• Use the same book for multiple projects
• There are no longer individual project books
• Use the same book for multiple dogs
• Copy the appropriate sections for multiple dogs

o       Youth use the front cover of the Dog Project and Record Book to check all the dog projects they are taking the current year

o       These project numbers 201D, 201O, 201S, 201P, and 201W are enrollment codes so we all know which dog projects youth are taking

o       Advisors need to make sure all projects (210D, 201O, 201S, 201P, 201W) are recorded on the club’s/county’s enrollment forms, so they get enrolled by the Extension office in all the correct projects

o       An explanation of each project is listed below.

o       201D You and Your Dog

• Replaces the 200 Dog Care project
• For youth who prefer to enjoy the companionship of their dogs without involvement of competitive events such as obedience, showmanship and performance.
• Recommended for first-year youth just learning about dogs
• Questions for You and Your Dog judging will come from specific chapters and/or sections of the Dog Resource Handbook.  The State 4-H Dog Committee recommends that county Dog Committees or educators select which chapters the questions asked will come from for the current year of judging, and provide sets of possible age-appropriate questions to the exhibitors and the judges prior to judging.  The purpose is to provide a positive evaluation experience for the youth, and not for the subject matter in the book to be intimidating.
• Youth must be enrolled in this project to show in the You and Your Dog classes (formerly Dog Care) at the Ohio State Fair, held during Companion Animal Day Judging

·         For State Fair judging, the chapters/sections from where

questions will be asked, along with sample questions, will be posted on the website by June 1.

o       201O Obedience

• Replaces 206 Dog Obedience Training – Beginning and 207 Dog Obedience Training – Advanced 
• Includes Training Tips, Sub-Novice, Novice, Graduate Novice, Open, Graduate Open, Utility, Brace, Team, and Rally
• Youth must be enrolled in this project to show in any of the above-mentioned obedience classes at the Ohio State Fair

o       201S Showmanship

• Replaces 204 Grooming and Handling Dogs
• Includes Preparing for Showmanship, Stacking, Gaiting, Showmanship Patterns, Tabling, Breed Presentation, Ring Procedure
• Questions for showmanship judging will come from specific chapters and/or sections of the Dog Resource Handbook.  The State 4-H Dog Committee recommends that county Dog Committees or educators select which chapters the questions asked will come from for the current year of judging, and provide sets of possible age-appropriate questions to the exhibitors and the judges prior to the judging.  The purpose is to provide a positive evaluation experience for the youth, and not for the subject matter in the book to be intimidating.
• Youth must be enrolled in this project to show in the Showmanship classes (formerly Grooming & Handling) at the Ohio State Fair.
• For State Fair judging, the chapters/sections from where questions will be asked, along with sample questions, will be posted on the website by June 1.

o       201P Performance

• This is a new project area beginning in 2008
• In the past, many youth showing in agility took the self-determined project or showed under one of the obedience projects; now it has its own number

§         Includes Agility, Coonhound Events, Drill Team, Freestyle, Earthdog Tests, Field Tests, Herding Trials, Hunting Tests, Lure Coursing, Tracking

§         Youth must be enrolled in this project to show in Agility, Drill Team, and Freestyle classes at the Ohio State Fair

o       201W Working Dogs

§         Replaces 365.13 Assistance Dog Idea Starter

§         Includes Assistance Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Police Dogs, Search and Rescue Dogs, Military, Herding and Detection Dogs

§         Youth must be enrolled in this project to show in the Assistance Dog Class at the Ohio State Fair

Changes to Ohio State Fair Dog Show Rules/Classes

Below are the changes to the State Fair Dog Show Rules:

·         Exhibitors can repeat any “B” level obedience class with same dog or different dog each year unless the dog is a class winner, provided that dog is not performing at a higher level.

·         The 4-H Exhibitor Versatility Award is new in 2008.  The purpose of this award is to: (1) encourage youth to participate in several classes (including skillathon and poster) at the Ohio State Fair Dog Show, and (2) award youth for achieving excellence in the classes in which they are showing or participating. Refer to the Rules for 2008 Ohio State Fair Junior Fair Dog Show Participation for award details.

·         A Canine Freestyle class will be offered for exhibition only in 2008.  In 2009, placings will be awarded.  Canine Freestyle is a choreographed musical performance, illustrating the training and relationship of the dog and handler team.  The team’s performance uses music and intricate movements to showcase teamwork, artistry, costuming, athleticism, and style in interpreting the theme of the music.  Canine Freestyle demonstrates the close bond between handler and dog.

·         There are no other major changes to the rules except for date changes.

·         The entry process will remain the same as in 2007.

·         The 2008 Dog Show Score Sheets are posted online.  These are the score sheets that are to be used at 4-H Fun Matches and county judgings.  Please discard any score sheets from previous years.

You and Your Dog State Fair Judging – August 1

New to Companion Animal Day Judging, held in the Youth Discovery Center on Friday, August 1, is You and Your Dog (formerly Dog Care) judging.  This used to be judged during the Junior Fair Dog Show.  However, youth who show at the State Fair in the You and Your Dog project are not permitted to show the same or different dog in any other dog classes, because this project is meant to be for youth who just want to enjoy the companionship of their dogs without the competitiveness of obedience, showmanship, agility, etc.  Therefore, the State 4-H Dog Advisory Committee felt moving this project to Companion Animal Day Judging would be a logical and positive move.  The interview process will be the same as it was for Dog Care.  A You and Your Dog skillathon will also be held on August 1.  Youth showing their dogs on August 1 are eligible to enter the Ohio State Fair Dog Poster Contest.  All entries must be postmarked by the July 11 deadline.

Companion Animal State 4-H Achievement Award

A Companion Animal State 4-H Achievement Award has been added to the State 4-H Achievement Award categories for 2008.  This includes the following project areas:  Dogs, Cats, Guinea Pigs, Pet Rabbits, Reptiles & Amphibians, Small Animals (hamsters, gerbils, mice, rats, chinchillas, hedgehogs, ferrets) and 4-H PetPALS.  Self-determined pet projects, such as Caged Birds, etc., are also eligible.  This does not include poultry and rabbits that are taken for production and market.  Youth taking those projects must apply for the Rabbit State 4-H Achievement and/or Poultry State 4-H Achievement Awards.

Below are opportunities for teens and volunteers to learn more about the 4-H Dog Program

Ohio 4-H Teen Conference – February 16

·         4-H Has Gone to the Dogs!

o       At last – a new Dog Resource Handbook, and Dog Project and Record Book!  If you are taking a 4-H dog project, join us in this session to learn how to use the new 4-H dog books to help you achieve your dog project goals.   Participants will also learn what’s new this year in the Ohio 4-H Dog Program, including State Fair shows, activities, and awards.

Ohio 4-H Volunteer Conference – March 8

·         4-H Has Gone to the Dogs! 

o        At last – a new Dog Resource Handbook, and Dog Project and Record Book!  Join us in this session to learn how to use the new 4-H dog books to help members achieve their dog project goals.  The second half of this double session will be spent discussing the Ohio State Fair Dog Shows and Activities, as well as to answer participants’ questions about the Ohio 4-H Dog Program.  Each participant will receive a CD containing Ohio   4-H Dog Program information.