All youth planning to show Dogs and/or Cats at the Dane County Fair must follow the 4-H education requirements. Below are education opportunities as they are known. Check the 4-H Education Calendar links below for the most up to date information.

Dog Department 9 (4-H Dog Project) - CLICK HERE to view the 4-H Education Calendar

All must attend one of the scheduled 4-H Dog Check Ins if you are interested in participating in Dane County 4-H Dog Obedience or Agility Training this year. Attending one of these dates is mandatory for participation. The Dog Check-ins are February 5 (6:00pm-8:00pm) & March 1 (9:00am-12:00pm) at Alliant Energy Center - Arena Building. Information related to the check-in is noted below:

Before checking in your dog, youth must have attended the Dog Project Kickoff Day (January 18, 2025 at 4-H Office) OR must review all information on the Dog Project Kickoff Day slide deck (available in January) and complete the project listed on slide 2 (watch all 9 videos in slide deck and write 9 thoughtful responses based on the prompts on slide 2). Bring the completed project to the check in.

Check out the Dane County 4-H Dog Project Rules/Guidelines (available soon).

Every dog needs to pass a Behavior Examination at check by the Behavior Committee member in order to participate in training.

Items to bring to check in:

• Your project dog (s) on 6ft leash(es), no flexi leashes allowed
• Bags for clean-up
• Two copies of your dog’s rabies vaccination record. Must be current through July
• Your completed Dane County 4-H Dog Training Information form online with electronic signature (available in January)
• Payment- Exact change in the form of a Check, cash or money orders made out to the Dane County 4-H preferred
  • $15 Obedience/Showmanship registration fee per dog - exact change or check
  • $15 for a T-shirt (optional) - exact change or check

Obedience and Showmanship Practice Dates are TBD at the Alliant Energy Center – specific dates and times will be confirmed in April.

Dog Project Education

• 10/17/24 - Small Animal Meet & Greet – 4-H Office from 6:30pm-7:30pm (click link for details). Registration - CLICK HERE. This fun, informal opportunity is designed for youth of all ages who are interested in getting started or learning more about 4-H Small Animal Project Areas – Guinea Pigs, Poultry, Rabbits, Dogs & Cats. Youth and Adult Project Leaders will be available with their animals.
  
  
• 1/18/25 - 4-H Dog Project Kick-off Day – 4-H Office from 9:00am-12:00pm (click link for details). Are you interested in teaching your dog some new tricks? or working on dog showmanship? Or just looking to have fun learning about dogs? Join us for the Dane County 4-H Dog Project Kickoff Day (without your canine companion)!*This event is mandatory for all youth interested in participating in the 4-H Dog Project.
  No need to pre-register. All youth should be accompanied by an adult for this meeting.
  
  
• 2/5/25 - 4-H Dog Check In – Alliant Energy Center from 6:00pm-8:00pm (click link for details). Sign-up will be available in January.
  
  
• 3/1/25 - 4-H Dog Check In – Alliant Energy Center from 9:00am-12:00pm (click link for details). Sign-up will be available in January.
  
  

If you have any questions please email the Dane County Dog Project email at danecounty4hdog@gmail.com.

Cat Department 13 (4-H Cat Project) - CLICK HERE to view the 4-H Education Calendar