Dog Obedience Classes

Held in the spring, this 12-week course is designed to introduce 4-H members to Dog Obedience & Rally Training using positive reinforcement training techniques. Participants and their dogs will meet weekly in a group setting with ABC Certified Dog Trainer, Beth Pysnack at her training facility inside the Fingerlakes Mall in Auburn. However, the majority of the training is expected to take place at home where youth practice these skills with their pups every day.

After months of working with their dogs in obedience training, participants put their proficiency to a test at the Cayuga County 4-H Youth Dog Show, part of the summer 4-H Youth Fair. Top scorers at the county level will be chosen to represent at the NYS 4-H Dog Show in Syracuse in August.

Before the course starts, new participants and their dogs are required to attend a “Meet & Greet” Session. Your dog will be evaluated for controllability and to get fitted for a leash and collar. If you need a PROPER leash and collar, you will be responsible for this additional cost. Participants will be divided into appropriate class levels based on age and experience.

Dogs must be at least 6 months of age and controllable in order to be used in dog obedience classes. This will be determined at the discretion of the instructor and/or 4-H Educator. Any aggressive dog(s) will not be allowed to participate in the program and will be asked to leave class immediately. A dog in season (in “heat”) must not be brought to 4-H events including Dog Obedience classes, the Cayuga County 4-H Youth Fair, or the NYS Dog Show.

Youth are REQUIRED to attend all dog obedience classes. As such, if a youth misses more than 3 classes, they will not be eligible to graduate from the course.

The cost of the course is $20 for 4-H members and $30 for non-members. Non-members will automatically be enrolled in the Cayuga County 4-H Program.

Participants must provide a COPY of their current Rabies vaccination before the "Meet & Greet". All parents must read the NYS 4-H Dog Policy and complete the registration form and sign the liability waiver prior to the first class.

IMPORTANT NOTE: These classes are designed as a youth development experience for children, not as a place just to get your dog trained. Dogs need to be controlled by the youth, i.e., a 130 lb. strong dog and a 60 lb. kid will probably not work out. Per NYS 4-H dog policy, a parent or guardian must attend and stay for all classes, regardless of the youth’s age.”

Check back in the spring to register for this class.