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Dog Obedience

Superintendents

Telephone Number

Email Address

Molly Simmons

812-470-0345

tippecanoecounty4hdogs@gmail.com

Required Manual:    

Level 1, Wiggles “N” Wags - Grades 3 - 5

Level 2, Canine Connection - Grades 6 - 8

Level 3, Leading the Pack - Grades 9 –12

Project Guidelines:

  • All exhibitors must be enrolled in the Tippecanoe County 4-H Dog Project prior to participating in the 4-H dog project activities. Enrollment deadline is January 15th.

  • At least 12 weeks of dog training sessions will be offered starting in March or April. It is strongly required for safety reasons that all 4-H Dog members who plan to exhibit at the County Dog Show must attend at least 10 training sessions in order to recieve placements and ribbons  If attendance is not met, the 4-H member is able to show their dog as an exhibition only. Practices help you and your dog reach their full potential in the show ring. In addition, it allows your dog the opportunity to acclimate to its surroundings and the other dogs in the program.

  • Attendance at training sessions is VITAL to being successful in this project. Additional training and information is given each week.

  • For safety reasons no new handlers/or dogs will be accepted after May 15th.

  • If your dog project (activity) manual is INCOMPLETE you will NOT be considered for champion or reserve champion.  A complete manual consists of at least 3 activities completed.

  • The showing of the dog at the county fair is encouraged but not necessary to complete the educational experience. The showing of the dog is a privilege and is voluntary on the part of the eligible 4-H member.

4-H Dogs:

  • Dogs must be at least 8 months of age prior to March 1st . Or demonstrate control and ability if 2 weeks within the 8 month cut off.

  • The dog should be fed, trained, and cared for by the 4-H member.

  • All 4-Her’s must have on file with the Tippecanoe County 4-H Dog Project the (4-H 671) Certificate of Vaccination Form, SIGNED BY A LICENSED, ACCREDITED VETERINARIAN indicating the dog has been vaccinated for rabies, distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, leptospirosis and kennel cough before they can attend training classes with their dog. Dates must be included for each vaccine. All information must be completed on the vaccination certificate or the dog will be sent home. Dogs that are vaccinated at home must provide an original receipt for the vaccine and attach the original receipt and original label for the vaccine on the vet form; in addition to putting the date of the vaccination on the form.

  • A 4-H dog may not come to class/be exhibited if they are showing symptoms of any communicable disease or parasites (including fleas and ticks).

  • Certain required vaccinations have not been proven effective in wolf-hybrids; therefore, because wolf-hybrids cannot meet the vaccination requirements of the Indiana Board of Animal Health, wolf-hybrid dogs cannot be shown in the 4-H dog program.

Equipment:

  • 4-H dogs must wear an approved well fitted slip , buckle , or martingale collar made of leather, fabric or chain in order to participate in classes and exhibit at the County Dog Show. The collar should be about 2” longer than the measurement of the dog’s neck. The leash may be made of fabric (not recommended) or leather (recommended) and must be 6’ in length. Collar tags will not be allowed in the 4-H Dog show. 4-H dogs being raised for the service dog programs are exempt from collar tags. Head halters are useful training tools, and are acceptable in the 4-H training program. Prong or pinch collars may only be used IF recommended by the training staff. However, the head halter and pinch/prong collars are not acceptable show equipment.

  • Appropriate attire and safe and secure footwear are required for all training sessions and judging events. Exposing cleavage, bare midriff, or buttocks is inappropriate. Short-shorts, short skirts, spaghetti straps, low cut shirts, bare midriffs, etc. are not appropriate clothing. Smooth/slick soled boots, high heels, backless slip-ons, loose fitting shoes, floppy or open-toed sandals, or other unsafe footwear are not allowed during training sessions or judging events. Inappropriate attire and footwear will be penalized in the judged events.

Exhibit Terms and Conditions:

  1. Animal exhibitors have the option of completing an action demonstration or exhibiting a poster in place of or in addition to exhibiting an animal. The posters and demonstrations should cover a topic of one of the activities or learning experiences in the completed grade level of the project (activity) manual. Posters must follow poster guidelines found in the 4-H handbook. Posters are due the Thursday before the 4-H fair begins with most of the other non-animal 4-H projects. Members wishing to give an action demonstration are to contact the project superintendent to set up a suitable time

  2. OBEDIENCE IS REQUIRED if the 4-her opts to participate in rally and/or showmanship. Showmanship and rally are optional activities that a 4-H’er can train and compete in.

  3. It is recommended that any dog enrolled in the 4-H Dog Project be trained and shown by one 4-Her.

  4. A 4-H member may obedience train and show more than one dog as long as the dogs are in different classes.

  5. Members may show only one dog at the State Fair.

  6. Dogs must be on a 6 ft. leather or fabric leash. 4-H members must be able to control any dog brought to class.

  7. 4-H members must have control of their dog and be in charge of him/her at all times. Do not let dogs sniff or play with other dogs during training.

  8. Dogs are to be on a leash and under control at all times, unless training or showing off-leash exercises.

  9. Female dogs that are “in season” will NOT be allowed to attend classes or show at the county fair. These dogs should be left at home, so they do not distract other dogs and prevent the exhibitors from being able to demonstrate their true abilities. The 4-H member is strongly encouraged to attend the training class and get lesson for those weeks. It is best to have your dog spayed or neutered if they are not breeding stock.

  10. Tippecanoe County Dog Project has adopted the Indiana 4-H Aggressive Dog policy.

  11. 4-H members are responsible for the actions of their dogs.

  12. Excessive and/or inhumane treatment of a 4-H dog by the handler and/or family will be grounds for disqualification.

  13. All 4-Her’s or a family member are required to clean up after their dog (inside and outside). Plastic bags and paper towels are available; this applies to all training sessions and shows. Failure to clean up after your dog may result in disqualification for the county dog show.

  14. All exhibitors, parents, and spectators are expected to conduct themselves in such a manner as to set good examples for others at the show. Impolite behavior, poor sportsmanship, and/or disruptive actions may cause disqualification and/or cause removal from grounds.

  15. Tie scores in the obedience classes will be broken as follows:

  16. Scores will be compared for each exercise of the obedience competition, beginning with the first exercise on the score sheet and proceeding down the sheet through the successive exercises.

  17. If scores are tied in each exercise, the first exercise on the score sheet will be repeated in its entirety, in order to determine a winner.

  18. Obedience regulations not covered here will be based on the regulations of the American Kennel Club, Inc.: www.akc.org

  19. Indiana 4-H Dog Project information, including score sheets, are available at: www.four-h.purdue.edu/dog

  20. State Fair—Any dog exhibited at the County Show is eligible to compete at the State Fair regardless of county placing. Only one dog per 4-Her may be exhibited at the State Fair. The 4-H–671-W Certificate of Vaccination form and the Rabies Certificate MUST GO WITH 4-H member TO STATE FAIR to be able to show. Pre-registration is required for the State Fair (www.indianastatefair.com and go to online entry).

  21. In the event that there is a Severe Weather Watch or Warning (Storm or Tornado) in effect anytime during the time frame of 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM for Tippecanoe County, class will be cancelled. If there are storms but no Watches or Warnings then we will hold class.

Awards:

  • Attendance Raffle: Upto the discretion of the Superintendent - One ticket will be awarded for attendance at each scheduled dog project event. Tickets will be distributed at check-in for the county dog show. Tickets will be drawn for prizes before the awards presentation. Limit of one prize per exhibitor.

  • Champion and Reserve Champion in each obedience class requires that a qualifying score of at least 150 points has been achieved.

  • A dog fouling the ring will receive a 10-point deduction in obedience score.

Dog Obedience Class Description

The Divisions listed below will be used at the County and State level of competition. Any dog exhibited at the County Show is eligible to compete at the State Fair regardless of county placing. Pre-registration is required for State Fair (see exhibit terms and conditions).

  • A 4-H member may not repeat any of the Level A or 1B obedience classes with the same dog

  • A 4-H member may not move back to a lower class than the one they were entered in previous years with the same dog.

Regular Obedience Classes:

These classes are also State Fair classes

  1. Class 1A—For the 4-H member with no previous formal dog training experience with a dog which has received no obedience training prior to January 1st of the current year. (not repeatable)

  2. Class 1B- For 4-H member with previous dog training experience (4-H or otherwise) or a 4-H member with no experience whose dog has had training which disqualifies them from Class 1A. (not repeatable with same dog)

  3. Class 2A—For 4-H member and dog that have completed 1A or 1B. ( not repeatable with same dog)

  4. Class 2B—For 4-H member and dog that have completed 2A. May repeat until ready for 3A.

  5. Class 3A—For 4-H member and dog that have completed 2B. (not repeatable with same dog)

  6. Class 3B—For 4-H member and dog that have completed 3A. May repeat until ready for 4A.

  7. Class 4A—For 4-H member and dog that have completed 3B. (not repeatable with same dog)

  8. Class 4B—For 4-H member and dog that have completed 4A. May repeat until ready for 5A.

  9. Class 5A—For 4-H member and dog that have completed 4B. ( not repeatable with same dog)

  10. Class 5B—For 4-H member and dog that have completed 5A. May repeat until ready for 6A

  11. Class 6A—For 4-H member and dog that have completed 5B. (not repeatable with same dog)

  12. Class 6B—For 4-H member and dog that have completed 6A. (may repeat)

  13. Veterans Class—For 4-H members whose dogs are at least seven (7) years old or are physically challenged. The dog must have completed at least class 2A in previous years. Dogs who are physically challenged must be accompanied by a letter from a veterinarian stating that the dog is unable to perform jumping and/or retrieving exercises. A dog may not be shown in any other obedience class at the Tippecanoe County 4-H Dog Show, once they have competed in the Veteran’s class.

Obedience classes 4A thru 6B have a high or bar jump—The high or bar jump will be set at the same height as the 4-H dog measures at the withers rounded to the nearest multiple of 2 inches. Minimum height is 4 inches and maximum height is 36 inches. All dogs less than 7.5 inches must jump the 4 inch minimum.

Obedience classes 4A thru 5B have a broad jump - The broad jump distance will be twice the high jump height. In the ring, jumps will be arranged in the order of size, evenly spaced, covering a distance equal to twice the high jump setting for each dog. Four hurdles will be used for a jump of 48 to 72 inches, three for 28 to 44 inches, two for 16 to 24 inches and one for 8 inches. When decreasing the number of hurdles in the jump, the highest hurdle will be removed first.

Showmanship

  1. Junior showmanship—For any 4-H member who has previously exhibited in the 4-H dog project and are in the 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade as of January 1st of the current year. All previous Junior Champions must show in the intermediate class.

  2. Intermediate showmanship—For any 4-H member who are in the 6th, 7th or 8th grade as of January 1st of the current year. All previous Intermediate Champions must show in the senior class.

  3. Senior Showmanship—For any 4-H member who are in the 9th, 10th,11th 12th grade as of January 1st of current year.

  4. A showmanship lead is required. Bait and food treats are allowed in the Showmanship ring.

  5. A breed must be specified for your dog so it may be properly exhibited. If you are exhibiting a mix breed dog, pick the predominate breed characteristic for presentation. See www.akc.org for recognized breeds and the proper presentation of each.

Proper attire for Showmanship

Girls—Dress, skirt and blouse, culottes or dress pants

Boys—Dress pants, dress shirt (coat and tie are optional)

Inappropriate attire for showmanship Includes blue jeans, western boots, high heels, slip-on, loose fitting shoes or unsafe footwear.

Showmanship Criteria:

  1. Line Up and Stack

  2. All Go Round

  3. Examination of Dog

  4. Individual Gait

  5. Appearance and attitude of the Handler

    County Only

    Rally

    Youth and dog will move through a course as a team completing a variety of tasks/commands. The courses will vary depending on the obedience level of the team. This is a County Only Event. The team must complete obedience in order to participate. More details are available at https://www.akc.org/sports/rally/

    Games Exhibition

    Youth and dog will complete games that have been learned in training sessions, as indicated by division.  Games are chosen by the 4Her and must change from year to year.  Youth may repeat the same division with different games each year.  Teams are to be judged on ability and completion of the game chosen.  Soft treats are to be used during judging.

    Division 1-2 games

    Division 2-4games

    Division 3-6 games

    Division 4-8 games

    Trick Dog Video

    There are 3 levels that are able to be completed with a video submission for County Fair only.  The details of each class are subject to change per the AKC guidelines at https://www.akc.org/sports/trick-dog/

    Novice

    Intermediate

    Advanced

    Virtual Home Manners

    This is only able to be completed once with a video submission for the County Fair only.  The details of the requirements are subject to change per the AKC guidelines at https://www.akc.org/products-services/training-programs/canine-good-citizen/akc-family-dog-program/virtual-home-manners/

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