Utah 4-H Dog Project

Discover 4-H Dog Clubs Near You

Looking for fun youth activities that involve dogs? Join a local 4-H Dog Club and connect with others who love dogs as much as you do!

Open to kids and teens of all experience levels, 4-H Dog Clubs help youth learn how to care for, train, and show their dogs in a fun, supportive environment. Practice obedience, agility, showmanship, and more; all leading up to exciting events like the annual 4-H Dog Show.

Whether you're looking for youth dog training programs, dog clubs for kids, or family-friendly dog events near you, 4-H has something for everyone. Find a 4-H Dog Club in your area today and start your journey with your four-legged friend!

Train, Bond & Compete!

The 4-H Dog Program creates more than obedient dogs—it builds youth!

While 4-H members learn to better control and train their dog, they are also building self-confidence, independence, and mastery.

4-H Dog Program Competition Categories include:

• Obedience
• Showmanship
• Rally-Obedience
• Agility

Rank Advancements

• Utah 4-H Rank Advancement Book

Rules & Guidelines

• Utah 4-H Dog Guidebook
  • includes all the rules for each event
  • *NOTE: Agility sections in this rulebook are presently incorrect and being updated for 2026. 
• 4-H Dog Show Class Selection

Resources for test

• AKC.org (specifically information found in Expert Advice)
• Ohio State Dog Resource Handbook
• Utah 4-H State Dog Program Guide and Rulebook
  • *NOTE: Agility sections in this rulebook are presently incorrect and being updated for 2026. 

Cover Letter Objectives for the Utah 4-H Dog Program

1. Summarize your dog project for the current year, specifically highlighting accomplishments and skills you’ve gained found in the resume portion of your portfolio.
2. How has being involved in the Utah 4-H Dog Project helped you as a dog owner?
3. Describe your 4-H leadership experiences and how being part of the Utah 4-H Dog Program has helped you build leadership skills.
4. Provide details of your 4-H community service projects and how these experiences have impacted your community.

REGISTRATION
Registration for the 2026 State Dog Show will open July 2026 and closes August 24, 2026.

Registration Opens July 2026  

LOCATION
USU Bastian Center - Indoor Arena
2100 W 11400 S, South Jordan, UT

New this year: 
🚫 No Kennel Decorations or Gifts
✅ Optional Kennel Poster Display

Youth Division

• Youth Division: for some of the dog events, youth handlers and their dogs will be divided by skill and experience rather than age.
  • To figure out what division best suits the exhibitor, review the Exhibitor Division Fact Sheet.
  • If you are unsure what division is best, err on the side of caution and go down a division.

SAMPLE SCHEDULE

September 10 *Optional Events

• 4:00-4:30 p.m. Check-in
• 5:00 p.m. Show begins
  • Outdoor Covered
  • Jumps & Tunnels
  • Tricks
  • Costume Parade
  • Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Testing
  • AMC Trick Testing

September 11 

• 8:00-8:30 a.m. Check-in
• 9:00 a.m. Show begins
• Events include:
  • General Knowledge Test
    • Test window: Aug. 27—Sept. 3, 2026 (Online)
  • Showmanship
    • Primary Dog will be the one used for Showmanship.
  • Obedience
  • Rally-obedience
  • Portfolio *upload at the time of registration
• *NOTE: Cloverbuds will not participate in the regular show, but are invited to join the Cloverbud Exhibition and Optional Fun Events.