Submitted Photo Matthew Brown and his dog, Hunter, participate at a 4-H Dog Show at 4-H Acres in Stockton.

SHERMAN — Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s 4-H Dog Program will be participating in the Sherman Day parade and hosting dog demonstrations at the Sherman Dog Park on Saturday.

The 4-H Dog Project is welcoming new participants for the 2019-20 4-H year. Youth must be 8 years old as of Jan. 1 to participate in the project. The Dog Project begins in October and youth learn many different things about dogs including dog care, working dogs, and more. Beginning in April youth and their dogs have the opportunity to attend weekly training in grooming and handling, agility, obedience, and rally-obedience.

Grooming and Handling is similar to American Kennel Club (AKC) showing and is based on how youth present their dogs. Obedience is a vocal-directed course with dog and handler following basic commands. Rally-Obedience follows similar guidelines to obedience, but youth and their dog must complete a course with directional signs. Agility is a favorite among participants and involves youth directing their dog through obstacles of varying difficulties based on youth and dog experience.

After training, youth then show their dogs at 4-H Acres in Stockton in June and July. The Chautauqua County Fair is the culmination of the program where youths participate in a fun show and receive awards for the year. Youth who excel are invited to show at the New York State Fair.

Stop by the Sherman Dog Park on Clymer-Sherman road to watch demonstrations and learn more about the 4-H Dog Project on Saturday after the Sherman Day Parade until 4 p.m.

The 4-H Dog 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.