4-H Dog Project. Guidebook and Rules

Transcription

1 4-H Dog Project Guidebook and Rules 2017

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3 Welcome to the Taylor County 4-H Dog Project The purpose of this packet is to provide you with information about the Taylor County Dog Project. Once you and your parents have read this packet, you will need to complete the Assumption of Risk and Agreement to Hold Harmless, and the Rules Acknowledgement that are attached. Those forms, along with a copy of your dog s current rabies certificate, and proof of distemper vaccination must be brought to the first session you attend of dog training. Sessions will begin on Sunday, June 4 and Wednesday, June 7 and running each Sunday and Wednesday evening at 6pm (skipping Sunday, July 2). The last session will be held on Wednesday, July 19. Youth must attend at least 6 sessions by the Taylor County fair in August. Dog judging during the Taylor County Fair is tentatively scheduled for Sunday August 6, starting at 9am. Mission: The purpose of the Taylor County 4-H Dog Program shall be to provide educational and relevant learning experiences for youth, using dogs as the tool with the ultimate goal of developing life skills in a fun and safe environment. Basic Information: Enrollment in the 4-H Dog project is open to anyone in grades You must be a member in good standing in Taylor County 4-H. Anyone grade 3 or older who meets the educational requirements (a minimum of 6 training classes held before the fair with your dog and deemed acceptable by the dog project leader/trainer) may participate at the Taylor County Fair as a 4-H member. Please note the Project follows the rules and guidelines of 4-H. Only 4-H members are covered by insurance purchased by the Federation of Taylor County 4-H. How do I participate? New members: Anyone enrolling in 4-H for the first time must be enrolled with the Taylor County UW- Extension office by March 1 of the exhibit year in order to participate in the Fair and be eligible for awards. However, youth may enroll in 4-H at any time and still attend project meetings. Re-enrollments: Anyone re-enrolling in 4-H must be enrolled with the Taylor County UW-Extension office no later than November 1 of the previous calendar year. To participate in the county fair, youth must be signed up for the dog project on 4HOnline by March 1 (this is not the actual fair entry). Vaccinations: All dogs must be up to date with their rabies, distemper and parvo vaccinations to attend dog events. Proof of Rabies and distemper vaccine must be submitted with registration form. Please check the Fair Book to see if there are other requirements for showing at fair.

4 Attend Project Clinics and workshops: Weekly dog project clinics and workshops will be offered starting in June. If you plan to show a dog at fair, you must have attended a minimum of 6 trainings prior to the fair in August. You must enter the fair separately. Enrolling in the dog project with the UW-Extension office is NOT a fair entry. Fair entries will be handled through the Taylor County Fairboard, see the fair websitehttp://witaylorcountyfair.com/ or spring/summer 4-H newsletters for instructions on entering. Volunteers The organization cannot function without volunteers and opportunities abound to contribute time and talent! You can be a helper or enroll as a 4-H Project leader. If you are not signed up as a leader, you are not covered by 4-H insurance. Becoming a 4-H Leader is a simple process involving an application submitted through 4-H Online. At that time, the office will run a background check and call you to schedule an orientation. Violation of Rules Failure to follow the rules of the Taylor County 4-H Dog Project could result in dismissal from the program. Taylor County 4-H Dog Project Guidelines 1. Registration, liability waivers, rules acknowledgement, and copies of your dog s current vaccinations need to be turned in to your 4-H Dog Project Leader by the first dog training class. These forms will be kept on file in the UW-Extension office. 2. Equipment: a. For obedience and agility: 6 foot leather or nylon leash with metal snap attached (no chain leashes). Electronic training collars of any kind are not allowed. Bring treats/clicker/toy(s). b. Obedience: Buckle collar, martingale collar, head halter, or front hook harness may be used for training only. For the show, a slip collar or buckle collar with no attachments is required. Official AKC Dumbbells must be used. c. Agility: Buckle collars are required for agility. NO slip/choke or prong collars. For training, harnesses are allowed. Also bring a toy/tug that your dog enjoys and the clicker you received at the information meeting. Agility equipment is provided thanks to the generous support of the Federation of Taylor County 4-H Leaders.

5 3. Health: a. All dogs must have a current Rabies and Distemper Vaccination in effect through the date of the show/fair. List the expiration date on the entry form. A copy of the vaccination form must be submitted with the registration form and verified by the Dog Project Leader or the 4-H Agent. b. We prefer all dogs be checked for heartworms and on preventative medicine and have a flea preventative. c. Hepatitis, Leptospirosis (DHL) and Parvovirus (P), corona, kennel cough (bordatella) vaccinations are highly recommended by the 4-H Dog Show Committee. NOTE: the State 4-H Dog show requires a current DHLP vaccine. 4. Members must meet the minimum requirements for each discipline in order to show in each area. It is to your benefit to do more training with your dog! Sessions will last approximately 1 hour to 1 ¾ hours. Parents are encouraged to support their child by recording the lesson so that youth can remember the work they did at home. 5. Unsupervised dogs must be crated. Each dog should have a safe area when not working. Youth will be expected to help with the set up and take down of equipment. 6. Wear proper clothing and shoes at all times! NO OPEN TOE SHOES, FLIP FLOPS, SANDALS, or SLIP ON shoes should be worn. 7. Dogs that are sick or in season will not be permitted on the training grounds. The 4-H member should still attend the trainings without the dog so that they can practice at home. 8. Each owner is responsible for their dog s conduct. THIS INCLUDES CLEANING UP AFTER YOUR DOG. 9. Abusive handling will not be allowed. Anyone observed being abusive towards any dog will be excused from training. 10. Any dog deemed unsafe for class participation will be excused. 11. The child will be required to show the dog they originally registered for classes, except in extreme circumstances. This will be decided on a case by case basis and handled by the dog project leaders and the 4-H Agent. 12. Positive reinforcement including treats and praise will be used when training your dog. Bring treats that your dog likes with you to each training session. Contact Info: Taylor County 4-H Dog Project Leader: Jeanine Renzoni jeaninerenzoni@gmail.com Taylor County Interim 4-H Youth Development Agent: Sasha Busjahn sasha.busjahn@ces.uwex.edu

6 Taylor County 4-H Dog Project Waiver Assumption of Risk and Agreement to Hold Harmless I understand that attendance at a 4-H Dog Project training class is not without risk to myself, members of my family or guests who may attend, or my dog because some of the dogs to which I will be exposed may be difficult to control and may be the cause of injury even when handled with the greatest amount of care. Additionally, while rabies vaccination is required, other communicable illnesses may still be present resulting in illness in dogs or humans. I hereby waive and release the club, its employees, officers, members and agents, from any and all liability of any nature, for injury or damage which I or my dog may suffer, including specifically, but without limitation, any injury or damage resulting from the action of any dog and I expressly assume the risk of such damage or injury while attending any training session or other function of the club, or while on the training grounds or the surrounding area thereto. In consideration of and as inducement to the acceptance of my application for training membership by this club, I hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless this club, its employees, officers, members, and agents from any and all claims, or claims by any members of my family or any other person accompanying me to any session or function of the club or while on the grounds or the surrounding area thereto as a result of any action by any dog, including my own. The 4-H Agent will not sign this Registration/Project Waiver until all other signatures are written and the Dog Project leader in charge of registration brings them to the office. Signature of Member Date Signature of Parent/Guardian Date Signature of Taylor County 4-H Dog Project Leader Date Signature of Taylor County 4-H Agent Date

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8 Taylor County 4-H Dog Project Rules Acknowledgement Each Taylor County 4-H Dog Project member in the family, along with their parents, must sign and submit one of these forms to the 4-H Dog Project Leader at your first training meeting with your dog. I have received the Taylor County 4-H Dog Project Guidebook and Rules. I understand the contents and agree to abide by the rules as stated therein. I understand I must be a member in good standing with my 4-H Club in order to show at the Taylor County Fair as a member and/or at a Wisconsin State 4-H Dog Show. I also understand more practice with my dog makes me a better dog trainer. I am expected to be a good student, informing the project leader in advance of class (by phone or ) of any reason for my absences and am expected to work to make-up any missed class. I also agree to observe and be bound by the training rules formulated by the 4-H Dog Project. Date: 4-H Member Name 4-H Member Signature Parent/Guardian Name Parent/Guardian Signature