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2026 4-H Dog Obedience

• Wednesday, May 27, 2026, 5:00 PM - 6:45 PM

2026 4-H DOG OBEDIENCE COURSE

This 8-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.

More information and resources, including our Cayuga County 4-H Dog Obedience Guide can be found here.

Meet & Greet
Before the course starts, new participants and their dogs are required to attend a “Meet & Greet” Session on Thursday, May 27th starting at 5 pm. Each participant will be scheduled for their own 15 minute session.

Participants will be divided into appropriate class-levels based on age and experience. Beginners are 4-Hers who have not completed any 4-H dog obedience classes or are under 10 yrs. old. Advanced participants will have successfully completed at least one 4-H dog obedience course. Anyone unsure of which class is appropriate to their child should contact the office to discuss.

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.

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 not their parents or other adults.

Classes
Classes will be held Wednesday beginning May 27th until June 22nd.
Beginner Level: 5:00 pm – 5:45 pm
Advanced Level: 6:00 pm –6:45 pm

Classes are held at Bark by Beth in the Finger Lakes Mall. The training facility is located across from the Bingo hall and is covered by large purple curtains.
Please bring high value training treats to motivate your pup. Water and cleanup bags are also a good idea to travel with. Participants should be prepared to clean up after their dog if necessary, especially if walking in the mall. Dogs need to have a slip collar, nightingale collar, or flat collar and a six foot lead.
Per NYS 4-H dog policy, a parent or guardian attend and stay for all classes, regardless of the youth’s age.

Graduation
Youth are required to attend all dog obedience classes, unless there is a family emergency or illness. As such, if a youth misses more than 2 classes, they will not be eligible to graduate from the course.
After months of working with their dogs in obedience training, participants with put their proficiency to a test at a 4-H Dog Show (July 22). Top scorers at the county level will be chosen to represent at the NYS 4-H Dog Show in Syracuse in August.

Other Important Information

Payment:
Cost of the course is $10 for 4-H members and $30 for non-members. Non-members will automatically be enrolled in the Cayuga County 4-H Program.
Payment is due at the Meet & Greet or may be paid online via Paypal.

NYS 4-H Dog Policy
Participants must provide a copy of current Rabies vaccination before the Meet & Greet.
-Acceptable proof of Rabies vaccination is a rabies certificate or a copy of the dog license that contains the rabies vaccination information.
- Acceptable proof of Rabies vaccination must include the signature of the veterinarian, the name of the product used, the date of administration and the duration of immunity.

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.

FOR QUESTIONS Please Call: Cornell Cooperative Extension Cayuga County, 315-255-1183 or Email Sara Wagner at smw352@cornell.edu

Fee

$10 per enrolled 4-Her/ $30 per unenrolled 4-Her and includes enrollment

Learn More

https://ccecayuga.org/resources/cayuga-county-4-h-dog-obedience-guide.

Register

https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/2026DogObedienceCourse_205

Location

Bark by Beth
FingerLakes Mall
579 Clark Street
Auburn, New York 13022

Last updated April 1, 2026