MIDDLETOWN, NY — Enrollment is now open for youth to join Orange County 4-H’s Dog Program this spring. The program is open to all youth interested in dog obedience, grooming and handling. The deadline to register is Tuesday, March 31.

“The Orange County 4-H Team is so excited to be able to offer the Dog Program once again! This program is a great way for youth to learn more about their dogs, to be able to better engage with them and strengthen their training,” said DeAnna Sardella-Matthews, Orange County 4-H educator.

A Dog Program orientation will be held on Monday, April 6 at 6:30 p.m. at Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County’s office, located at 18 Seward Ave. Attendance is mandatory for all participants and a parent/guardian.

Interested youth must have been eight years of age by  September 30, 2025 and must be working with a dog of at least six months of age to participate. Dogs must be vaccinated for rabies. All dogs must be friendly and safely managed on a leash by the youth. A copy of the dog’s vaccination records MUST be brought to the orientation with them.

All participants must be enrolled in 4-H.  The cost is $15/youth or $25/family.  If you are not registered, here is the link to do so:  cceorangecounty4h.wildapricot.org. Be sure to fill out the release package as well as enrollment.

The enrollment fee to participate in the dog program is $30 per youth. Visit bit.ly/4cYxgDU to register. 

The training classes will be held on Mondays at Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Education Center & 4-H Park, located at 300 Finchville Tpk. in Otisville, beginning April 13. These in-person classes will each run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 

Call 845/344-1234 with any questions.

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—for example, a 130-pound, strong dog and a 60-pound kid will probably not work out.

Cornell Cooperative Extension and its partnerships provide programs for Orange County, NY residents on youth and family development; nutrition, health and food safety; community and economic vitality; and agricultural sustainability through Cornell-based research.  Committed to Orange County, it designs programs to meet local needs to enable people to improve their lives and communities.  For more information, call Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County at 845/344-1234 or visit www.cceorangecounty.org.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County provides equal employment and program opportunities.