Join the 4-H Dog Program

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (October 15, 2025) – 4-H may be best known for the animals at the Chautauqua County Fair, but there are a lot of other programs too. One of the most accessible programs for kids who cannot have chickens, goats or cows in their yard is the dog program. Many people have dogs, but one of the biggest problems can be training them, especially if you have children. Sometimes it can be hard to tell if the dog is training the child or the child is training the dog. That is where the 4-H dog program comes in.

The 4-H Dog program teaches the 4-H kids how to work with dogs. The kids learn many important skills and knowledge from how to train and groom a dog along with importance of proper care from shots to parasites. The kids will learn about Obedience, Rally Obedience, Agility and Grooming and Handlings with the opportunity to participate in 4-H dog shows. The 4-H Dog program is open to anyone wanting to learn about dogs and you do not need to own a dog to participate.

Families can sign up for 4-H in October for $20 per child at the Cornell Cooperative Extension office in the Carnahan Center at Jamestown Community College, or go online to https://chautauqua.cce.cornell.edu/4-h-youth . In addition to dog and other animal programs, children can sign up for a 4-H club, where they can learn sewing, woodworking, cooking, gardening, and a host of other skills. The 4-H motto is “Make the best, better” to acknowledge that all skills can be improved upon. If you are interested in joining a program and have more questions, contact the Cornell Cooperative Extension office at 716-664-9502.

The mission of 4-H is to help youth grow into competent, caring, and contributing members of society through hands on learning opportunities. The 4-H Program is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua). CCE-Chautauqua is a subordinate governmental agency with an educational mission that operates under a form of organization and administration approved by Cornell University as agent for the State of New York. It is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The association is part of the national cooperative extension system, an educational partnership between County, State, and Federal governments. As New York’s land grant university Cornell administers the system in this state. Each Cornell Cooperative Extension association is an independent employer that is governed by an elected Board of Directors with general oversight from Cornell. All associations work to meet the needs of the counties in which they are located as well as state and national goals. For more information, call 716-664-9502 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua. 

Last updated October 15, 2025