Activities just for Kids and Dogs

State and County 4-H Dog Project

Many of the youth 4-H clubs sponsor a Dog Project or activity.  Kids from age 8 - 18 learn about dog care, dog training, and competing in 4-H Dog Shows. 

4-H dog shows include showmanship, rally, obedience, agility, drill team and sometimes costume.  All dog breeds, including mix breeds are eligible to compete.

The links below can help you find a local 4-H club, or you and your parents can call your county extension agent.

	Find a 4-H program, learn more about 4-H, read message boards.
Central Florida	Volusia, Lake and Seminole county each have 4-H dog projects.
Florida	Information on the Florida 4-H Dog Project clubs, activities and the Florida State 4-H Dog Show.  Many of the 4-H Counties also have county level dog shows.

American Kennel Club Junior Showmanship

AKC Junior Organization includes Showmanship, Agility, Obedience, Rally and Tracking for kids age 9 - 18.  Kids can show AKC purebred registered or AKC ILP registered dogs owned by themselves or by their father, mother, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, grandfather, or grandmother. 

Visit the AKC Kids/Juniors portal to learn more about what kids can do in the AKC Junior Organization and how to get started.

Find an AKC Training Club

Canadian Kennel Club Junior Kennel Club

Canada's kennel club has a junior program for kids age 4 - 18.  The Junior Kennel Club teaches young Canadians about activities with dogs and creating a lifelong affection and understanding of dogs.

Flyball

Flyball is a team relay race with 4 dogs and people.  Many kids compete in flyball tournaments with their parents or friends.  Flyball is open to purebred and mixed breed dogs.

Two teams of 4 dogs each line up behind the start line. At the racing start signal, one dog from each team races down their respective lane, jumps four hurdles, springs the Flyball box and catches the tennis ball.

Running back down the racing lane holding the tennis ball, each dog again jumps the four hurdles. The next dog in the relay races off to cross the start line as the previous dog is returning across the line with the tennis ball.

This continues until all four dogs on the team have successfully run the course and the team who wins at least 2 out of the 3 heats wins the race.

Find a Flyball Club

Finding a trainer or training school