2017 DOUGLAS COUNTY 4-H DOG PROJECT POLICIES

Transcription

1 2017 DOUGLAS COUNTY 4-H DOG PROJECT POLICIES Note: These rules apply to all D.C. 4-H Dog Shows and the D.C. Fair Dog Show. Please also read the new Douglas County Fair Competition Regulations which are effective as well. The State Dog Trials 2017 Rules are to be considered part of these policies and where applicable, will apply as well. ADVANCEMENT: The expected pattern of advancement is one class per year for both handler and dog, with the following exception: after earning a qualifying score in competition as a 4-H project dog in Obedience or Rally at the State Fair, that same dog is no longer eligible for exhibition in that same division at any following State Fair except Grad Novice, Open, Grad Open and Utility Obedience Classes and Rally Advanced/Excellent class. CLOTHING: Club Shirts are allowed in obedience and rally classes; however please refer to the State Dog Rules: General Contest Rules, #10 Colorado State 4-H Dress Code as these rules will apply to all Douglas County Dog Shows. See attached Appendix A. DOG VACCINATIONS: All dogs participating in Douglas County 4-H events must be in good health. If a dog has been diagnosed with any medical condition, a signed letter from a licensed veterinarian must accompany the dog, which certifies that the dog is physically able to participate in the event. Dogs exhibiting signs or symptoms of contagious diseases may not be allowed to participate. Some signs and symptoms include coughing, sneezing, vomiting, and diarrhea, among others. As per the County of Douglas Regulations, all dogs must have current rabies certificate and tag, issued by a licensed veterinarian, starting at 4 months of age (Resolution No. R ). Dogs participating in Douglas County 4-H events must be vaccinated against contagious diseases, including Rabies, Kennel Cough (aka Bordetella ), Distemper, and Parvo. Vaccination records showing proof of current immunization must be uploaded into your dog ID on 4honline.com, by April 28. A copy of the dog s rabies certificate with veterinarian s signature must be included in the Dog Record Book. Any dog that has been given the Rabies vaccination at home will not be considered legally vaccinated and should the dog bite anyone or any dog, the law will not recognize that vaccination. It is recommended that you also bring copies of current vaccination records with you to all events. Please refer to Appendix #1 for a chart explaining the Core Vaccines for dogs. Parasite Control Dogs participating in Douglas County 4-H events must be given preventative treatment to control internal and external parasites as needed. Dogs exhibiting obvious, heavy parasite infestation may not be allowed to participate. Bitches in Heat. Bitches in heat will not be allowed to compete in obedience classes. Bitches in late state of pregnancy or who are lactating will not be allowed to compete in any class, nor will they be allowed on show grounds. COUNTY/STATE DOG IDENTIFICATION: Each dog member is required to complete the County/State Animal Identification Form through the 4honline website by April 28th. As part of this process, you need to upload a current photograph of the dog and their vaccination records which must include signature from your veterinarian. Copies of these pages must be included in your Record Book. RECORD BOOKS: Records must be completed in order to be considered a Member in Good Standing thru 4-H. Please note that no score sheets are to be included within the book. No plastic pages may be used. Record books 1

2 must be put in a 3-hole folder. DO NOT USE 3-RING BINDERS. Green, 4-H folders are available at the Extension office and can be reused every year. If the member cannot complete the record book by themselves, please put a note in front of the book with parent signature and reason. SPORTSMANSHIP: 1. A major goal of the 4-H program is building and strengthening of character. Good sportsmanship is essential in 4-H dog competitions. 2. Under no circumstances may any person present (exhibitor, parent, leader, or spectator) badger, insult or be argumentative with a judge, show secretary, ring steward, or show management. Any flagrant display of poor sportsmanship or affront to the judge or ring steward, by or on behalf of the exhibitor, may result in exclusion of the exhibitor from competition and forfeiture of awards. This would also mean that the exhibitor may also forfeit participation in any other 4H program or event as they would lose their status of Member in Good Standing. 3. Any mistreatment or abuse of any dog by its handler or parent may result in suspension from show and/or forfeiture of award(s). Each instance will be handled case by case. Superintendent will make the final decision. Exhibitor may also lose their status of Member in Good Standing. 4. Members are expected to clean up after their dogs. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of any placings. SAFETY: Dogs considered unmanageable may be excused based on superintendent s or judge s discretion. QUALIFYING SCORE: A handler must have a qualifying score of 170 or above at the County Fair in order to enter State Fair in Obedience. A handler must have a qualifying score of 70 or above at any Rally Trial in order to enter State Fair in Rally. A handler must have a qualifying score of 170 or above at the County Fair in order to enter State Fair in Showmanship. OBEDIENCE TITLES: A dog with any other rally or obedience title from any national dog association (AKC, UKC, CKC, ASCA, etc.) is disqualified from entering the class for which the degree was awarded or any lower class except if that title was won less than four months before the State Fair, then the dog is eligible for entry in the same class. If the dog receives a title more than four months before the State Fair Dog Trial, they must move up to the next class. Exceptions to this rule are Obedience and they are the classes of: Grad Novice, Open, Grad Open, Utility and Rally Advanced/Excellent. STATE FAIR SELECTION CRITERIA FROM DOUGLAS COUNTY: 1. Member must show their project dog in both Obedience and Showmanship at the County Fair Dog Trial. 2. Member must exhibit a completed Record Book, and fulfill Douglas County rules regarding completion of a project. 3. County Quota at State Fair (subject to State Fair Changes): In order to enter State Fair, you must have earned a qualifying score at the County Fair Dog Show. a. Top four Obedience exhibitors with a qualifying score from Beginner Novice A, Beginner Novice B, Beginner Novice C-1, Beginner Novice C-2, Novice A, and 2

3 Novice B, PreGrad Novice A and PreGrad Novice B. b. No limit is placed on number of entries from other Obedience classes. c. Top four Rally exhibitors with a qualifying score from Rally Novice A or B, Rally Advanced A or B, Rally Excellent A or B, Rally Advanced/Excellent A. d. No limit of entries with a qualifying score from Rally Advanced/Excellent B. e. Members may exhibit at the Douglas County Rally Trial held at the June Show or may be from any other Rally Trial either at a 4-H show or AKC show/match. The score sheet which shows score, including competition run time, date (current year) must be given to Superintendent prior to entry into the County Fair. f. Top four Showmanship placings with qualifying score from each of the Showmanship classes. 4. If any of the four top scores do not go to the State Fair, the next highest scores (which are qualified) in that class will become eligible. ***Any member who wants to attend the 4-H State Fair Dog Show MUST complete and submit a State Fair Entry Form to the Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent immediately upon completion of the Douglas County Fair Dog Show. An entry fee of $5.00 per DIVISION along with classes entered, must be included with the form. Forms MUST be turned into the Superintendent before leaving the County Fair Dog Show. COUNTY COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS: 1. Compete in Obedience and Showmanship at two (2) pre-fair dog shows. One show must be a Douglas County show, the second may be a mini-show, fun match or out of county show. This will be a requirement in order to complete the year. However, we believe that it is in the best interest of both member and dog to attend as many as possible. (State and Douglas County Fairs do not count). 2. In order to compete at the County Fair Dog Show, Dog Record Books must be at least 50% complete and are due to your club leader no later than Tuesday, June 27 th (4-Paws) and Thursday, July 6 th (Parker Barkers). Anyone not turning in a Record Book will not be allowed to compete at County Fair. Members should include all project dogs in the Record Book. Use additional pages as needed. Follow all instructions when filling out your Record Book. Clippings from newspapers or other pages are allowed, provided that they pertain only to the current year Dog Project. Do not include score sheets in your record book. Record books will be returned to all members prior to the County Fair Dog Show for final completion. All remaining information including the County Fair Dog Show results must then be filled out. Any member who is in their final year of 4-H and will leave for college PRIOR to the County Fair Dog Show MUST turn in their Dog Record Book to their leader by Monday, July 31. PLEASE NOTE: Final deadline to give 100% completed Record Books to your leader is Monday, August County Fair entries are due on Wednesday, July 5 th, and must be completed online through ShoWorks. No late entries. No exceptions. ShoWorks will be available on or around May 1 st. 4. Show at Douglas County Fair Dog Show on Saturday, July 29 in both Obedience and Showmanship classes. 5. Give at least one demonstration or illustrated talk. 6. Complete/participate in at least one 4-H Club community service project. 7. Attendance of at least 2/3 of all Club meetings and activities. 3

4 8. Remain as a Member in Good Standing based on 4-H Rules and Regulations. 9. Only dogs listed as project dogs in the Record book will be allowed to compete in any show. No dog other than the County Fair qualifier will be eligible to show or compete at State Fair. Should any problems arise with the County Fair qualifying dog, the Superintendent must be notified immediately for any course of action that may be needed. Superintendent will make the final decision. Any member who uses a dog not owned by them or their immediate family and that does not live with the member must inform the Superintendent and Extension Agent immediately, as well as fill out an Animal Care and Housing Form, available at the Extension Office and online at This form must be submitted to their leader, the Superintendent and the Extension Office. The leased dog will NOT be eligible to enter and compete in the Colorado State Fair Dog Show. 10. In the case of non-completion due to uncontrollable reasons, a member may complete the year by either: a. Completing a record book, stating the reason for not showing in County Fair, and working at the County Fair, i.e. stewarding, post, etc. OR b. Showing in competition under an EXHIBITION ONLY status with ANOTHER MEMBER S DOG and including within their record book a statement explaining why they were unable to show their dog in the County Fair Dog Show. This member/dog combination would not be eligible for any County Fair awards, nor the State Fair Dog Trials. Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent will have final say. OR c. Compete in Obedience and Showmanship at other pre-fair dog show for a total of not less than 3 shows and must turn in a completed their record book. Score sheets from all 3 shows showing location and date of show must be submitted to their leader and also the Superintendent. Included in the Record Book will be an explanation of the reason for not exhibiting in the County Fair Dog Show. OBEDIENCE CLASSES: BEGINNER NOVICE A BEGINNER NOVICE B BEGINNER-NOVICE C-1 BEGINNER -NOVICE C-2 NOVICE A NOVICE B This class is only for handlers and their dogs that are in their first year of dog obedience training work. All exercises are performed on leash. Second year project members with the same dog and must be the youth and dog team that showed the previous year in Beginner Novice A. Experienced handlers with a first year dog, OR a dog with previous experience in an organized training class working with a new 4-H member. This class will be judged at a higher level than Beginner Novice A or B. All exercises will be performed on leash. This class is only for those in the second year of Beginner Novice training and must be the same youth and dog team that showed in the previous year in Beginner Novice C-1. Open to members with no prior experience in Novice Dog Training. Open to experienced members in their 2nd year or more of Novice 4-H Training and who have never received a qualifying score at a previous State Fair in this class. Handlers entering B classes will be judged at a higher skill level (handler errors) than handlers entered in Novice A classes. 4

5 PRE-GRAD NOVICE A PRE-GRAD NOVICE B GRAD NOVICE A GRAD NOVICE B OPEN A & B, GRAD-OPEN A & B, & UTILITY A & B VETERANS CLASS PUPPY CLASS Open to members with no prior experience in Pre-Grad Novice. Open to experienced Pre-Grad Novice members in their second year or above of Pre-Grad Novice training or who have never received a qualifying score at a previous State Fair in this class. Handlers entering this class will be judged at a higher skill level (handler error) than handler entered in Pre-Grad Novice A. *Please see Appendix B for the definition of three of the exercises in this class. This class is for members in their first year of Grad Novice training. This class is for members in their second year or higher of Grad Novice training. Regular 4-H class. Any dog 7 years old or over may be shown in the Veteran s Division. Veteran Division dogs will be allowed/required to jump ½ of their regulation jump height. They will be required to perform all exercises in their class; jump height will be the only difference from the regular class. Once a veteran dog can no longer jump at least ½ their regulation jump height they must be moved to a class that does not require jumping. Members, parents, trainers, and leaders cannot determine a jump height for a dog. They will be judged at ½ their required jump height. Dogs shown as a Veteran are not eligible for any other Obedience classes. It is the choice of the member, the member s parent, the member s leader and veterinarian as to giving a dog Veteran designation. Superintendent gives final approval. Veteran dogs will compete at the obedience level the member chooses, from Novice up through Utility. A veteran dog may change obedience levels in either direction each year as their health determines. Scores will be calculated as follows: a. Novice: judge s score b. Pre-Grad-Novice: judge s score plus 3 points c. Grad Novice: judge s score plus 6 points d. Open: judge s score plus 9 points e. Grad Open: judge s score plus 12 points f. Utility: judge s score plus 15 points Veteran dogs will compete only against other veteran dogs for ribbons and awards. Their scores will not count toward awards in any other Obedience divisions. If a dog is entered as a Veteran during a project year, they may go back to regular obedience the following year; however, they must go back to the level they would have been competing at before they moved to veterans. Please see attached Appendix C and D regarding Veteran jump heights. This class is for pups which are too young for any regular obedience class. This is a NO SCORE class and there are no placings in this class, but exhibitors 5

6 will be given an evaluation sheet for their dog. Puppies who are eligible may also choose to enter the State Fair Dog Show in this class. All dogs competing in the puppy class must be at least 16 weeks of age, and have all of the required vaccinations. Please see attached Appendix E for the Puppy Class Evaluation Form. NOTE: All 4-H shows will be modeled after AKC Obedience Rules and Regulations. If a member chooses to move up to a higher class level, they may do so at any or all pre-fair shows. They must decide before Douglas County Fair which class they will show in. If they show in the higher class at County Fair, they may not go back again to the lower class level. Attached as Appendix F thru M which are score sheets for each Obedience class Please Note that the Novice B, PreGrad Novice B, Utility B score sheets are identical to their A counterparts. RALLY OBEDIENCE CLASSES: Dog project members may enter the Rally Obedience Trial at the State Fair provided they have received a qualifying score at a rally trial held by any county prior to the County Fair Dog Show. The member s score and in case of a tied score, member s time will be used to determine who may compete at the State Fair Rally Trial. Any exhibitor not showing at the Douglas County Rally Trial but showing at another county s Rally Trial must submit their score sheet showing the location, date and time of run to their leader and Superintendent. Douglas County s Rally Trial will be held in conjunction with the Saturday, June 17 show. RALLY NOVICE A RALLY NOVICE B RALLY ADVANCED A RALLY ADVANCED B RALLY EXCELLENT A RALLY EXCELLENT B Members in their first year of Rally who haven t received a qualifying score at any State Trial and/or haven t received an equivalent title from any dog association. Member may only compete in Rally A for one year. Member in second year or above with the same dog used in Rally Novice A or who is starting a dog that has never competed in Rally. Members are allowed to compete in this class until they obtain qualifying score at State Fair or the dog has received an equivalent title from any dog association. Member in first year of Advanced training who haven t received a qualifying score at State Fair and/or have not received an equivalent title from any dog association. Member may compete in Rally Advanced A for only one year. Member in second year or above of Advanced training. Members are allowed to compete in this class until they obtain qualifying score at State Fair or the dog has received an equivalent title from any dog association. Member in first year of Excellent training who has not received a qualifying score at State Fair and/or haven t received an equivalent title from any dog association. Member may compete in Rally Excellent A for only one year. Members who are in their second year or above of Rally Excellent. Members are allowed to compete in this class until they have obtained a qualifying score at a State 4H dog trial or the dog has received an equivalent title from any dog association. 6

7 RALLY ADVANCED/ EXCELLENT A RALLY ADVANCED/ EXCELLENT B This class is for members who have received a qualifying score in Rally Excellent at a previous State dog show or who have received an equivalent title for any dog association. This class is for members in their first year of Advanced/Excellent training. This class is for members who have received a qualifying score in Rally Advanced/Excellent at a previous State dog show or who have received the equivalent of a Rally Advanced/Excellent title from any dog association. This class is for members in their second year or above of Advanced/Excellent training. Please see Appendix N for Rally Score Sheet. TEAM RALLY (STATE FAIR SHOW) This class is a non-regular class and takes place at the State Fair Dog Show. If Douglas County doesn t have four or members divisible by 4 who want to compete, they will be paired up with entrants from another county. Only one dog per youth on a team. A Novice course will be used. The Rally Team Competition will be for teams of any four dogs that are eligible. Five dogs may be entered, one to be considered as an alternate; however the same four dogs will perform all the exercises. No dog may be entered on more than one team. A qualifying score of 70 must have been achieved in the current year by any member wanting to be in this class. There is a total possible score of 400 points for each team. All team members will run the course individually, with the team time running continuously. Time will start when the judge gives the first member of the team the Forward command from the Start sign. The subsequent dog for each team starts when the previous handler for the team passes the Finish sign without an additional command of Forward by the judge. Timing for each team will begin when the judge commands the first handler in the team to begin with the command Forward and will stop when the fourth handler from the team passes the finish line. Owners can pick a theme for their team and wear costumes accordingly (both handler and dog) as long as the costume does not interfere with movement of dog or handler in the class and is 4-H appropriate. Any dog member who wishes to enter this class at State Fair MUST decide before the County Fair Dog Show if they want to be entered in this class. A member does not have to be in the top four placings in their Rally class to enter this class. Members must fill in this class on their State Fair entry form by the deadline of August 14. SHOWMANSHIP CLASSES: *JUNIOR NOVICE JUNIOR OPEN *INTERMEDIATE NOVICE INTERMEDIATE OPEN INTERMEDIATE ADVANCED *SENIOR NOVICE 10 years of age and under with one year or less experience. 10 years of age and under with more than one year experience years of age with one year or less experience years of age with more than one year experience. Any member who has finished in the Top Ten placings at a previous State Fair Dog Show while competing in the Intermediate Open class. 14 years of age and older with one year or less experience. 7

8 SENIOR OPEN SENIOR ADVANCED MASTER SHOWMAN 14 years of age and older with more than one year experience. Any member who has finished in the Top Ten placings at a previous State Fair Dog Show while competing in the Senior Open class. Any member who has previously won Grand Champion or Reserve Grand Champion at the State Fair in the Intermediate or Senior age divisions. Member may enter Master Showman OR their regular showmanship class, but not both. Any member who wins this class cannot enter any lower class. *These classes are for those members who are in their first year in the 4-H Dog Project and have no prior outside showmanship experience as determined by the county and leaders. If prior experience has been determined by the leader and Superintendent, the member must move into the Open class competition in their appropriate age group. Any member who has competed in AKC or UKC Junior Showmanship competition must exhibit in the Open class competition in their appropriate age group. COMPLAINTS Judge s decisions are final. At non-county fair shows, complaints can be filed in writing to the Dog Superintendent with a $50.00 deposit. If a grievance is founded, the check will be refunded. Complaints must be filed before the end of the show. OTHER INFORMATION: Superintendent, assistants, and/or club leader for each club will review fair entries to verify that members are entered in proper class. The Douglas County Dog Program is open to regular 4-H members only. If additional information or clarification pertaining to these policies is desired, contact your club leader. 8

9 REGISTRATION: RESPONSIBILITY BY AREA Pre-Show 1. Set-up of rings, tables and chairs will be done on the Thursday night before the show by members of each club. Day of Show 1. Superintendent will bring starting cash. 2. Sort ribbons and place at each ring. 3. Put score sheets on clip boards for each ring. 4. Register members as they approach the table. 5. Collect the money, account for it and turn it over to Superintendent. SHOW MANAGER: Get judges. Pre-Show 1. Make sure show box supplies are complete. 2. Inspect facility and note deficiencies. 3. Arrange with Fairgrounds Coordinator to set-up on Thursday night for use of microphone in both sides of Multi-Purpose Barn and use of tables and chairs. Day of Show 1. Have copies of rules and regulations (Douglas County, State, and AKC). 2. Arrange for Posts and Stewards. CLEAN-UP: Pre-Show 1. Make sure there are enough trash bags. Day of Show 1. Have shovel, rake, and bleach water, available for 4-H members to clean up. 2. Make sure trash cans are emptied. 3. All trash must be picked up. 4. Lost & Found items kept by Superintendent. If not picked up they will go in next show s fundraiser. 5. Clean and put tables/chairs back in Rabbit/Multi-Purpose Barn. 6. All clubs will tear down. 7. Clean bathrooms as necessary 9

10 4-H DOG HANDLERS DRESS CODE Please check out the Colorado State 4-H Dress Code at: In additional to the State Dress Code please adhere to the 4-H Dog Handlers Dress Code below: Clothing should not hinder or detract from the presentation of the dog. Acceptable Clothing for girls: o Dresses (not too short-should be able to bend over) o Skirts (not too short-should be able to bend over) o Dress shorts (not too short) o Skorts o Dress slacks o Dressy Capris o Crop pants o Collared blouses Acceptable Clothing for boys: o Dress Shirts o Ties with tie clip o Dress slacks Shoes non-slip soles and 1 to no heel Do not wear excessive or oversized jewelry, sashes or anything that will touch or distract your dog Do not wear sandals, open-toe shoes, clogs, or similar type shoes. Long hair should be in a braid or ponytail or clipped to keep it out of the handler s face. For more detailed information check out the Dog Resource Handbook on page as well as the State 4-H Rules listed in the Dog Trials

11 DOUGLAS COUNTY COMBINED 4-H DOG SHOWS The dog clubs of Douglas County will host two "Combined 4-H Dog Shows". The dates are Saturday, May 13 and Saturday, June 17, Obedience and Showmanship classes will be as described in the "Douglas County Dog Policy". Registration is to start approx. 7:30 a.m. until complete and judging will start at 9:15 a.m. or as soon as judges arrive which may be before 9:00 a.m. for their classes. No dogs will be allowed off lead on the show grounds unless verified by the club leader and for the specific purpose of warming up before entering the ring. Only dogs entered in the show will be allowed on the grounds, unless prior approval is obtained by the superintendent/trainers or leaders. The schooling of the dog on show grounds by anyone other then the handler will not be allowed. All handling of the dog must be done by the handler/member. If a handler needs an animal held for valid reasons, an adult or other member may hold the dog. (This does not mean the adult or other member can warm up the dog.) There are four areas of responsibility for each show. They are registration, show set-up, show clean-up, and show management. The schedule by clubs is: Registration All Douglas County Dog Clubs Show Set-up/ Clean up Show Mgr. All clubs will be responsible for set-up and tear down. Dog Superintendent will have keys. Dog Superintendent will act as Show Manager 11

12 COLORADO 4-H CODE OF CONDUCT 4-H members, leaders, parents and other adults participating in 4-H activities will: 1. Adhere to program rules, curfews, dress codes, policies, and rules of the facility being used. 2. Conduct themselves in a courteous, respectful manner, use appropriate language, exhibit good sportsmanship, and provide positive role models. 3. Abstain from illegal behaviors, use of alcohol, illegal or illicit drugs, and tobacco during 4-H events and activities. 4. Fully participate in scheduled activities. 5. Respect other s property and privacy rights. 6. Abstain from child abuse (physical and/or verbal) and harassment. 7. Accept personal and group responsibility for behavior including any financial damage. 8. Adhere to rules of safety. 9. Consequences for violating any of these codes may include removal, at the individual s expense and without refund, from participation in the event in which the code of conduct has been violated, resolution or repayment of damages, sanctions on participating in future 4-H events, forfeiture of financial support for the event, removal from offices held, etc. Age, offices held in the 4-H organization, and presence of an adult or other perceived status are not grounds for behavior outside of established guidelines. It is the responsibility of all program participants to reinforce the code of conduct and intervene when necessary to enforce the rules. 12

13 2017 Douglas County Dog Project Policies Name Club By signing below, I have read and understand the rules and consequences set forth for the Douglas County 4-H Dog program and agree to abide by them. Participant Signature Parent/Guardian Signature This form must be signed and returned to your 4-H Leader prior to April 4 th (4 Paws) and April 13 th (Parker Barkers). A copy of this form must also be given to the Dog Superintendent. 13