Chautauqua County resident Claudia Almekinder was Reserve Grand Champion in obedience at the state fair in Syracuse.

SYRACUSE – Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s 4-H Dog Program wrapped up its year with two youth representing Chautauqua County at the New York State 4-H Dog Show.

The 4-H dog program meets regularly throughout the year to learn about dog care, training, and grooming. Two 4-H participants, Connor Isaacson and Claudia Almekinder, took their dogs to the state fair.

Almekinder, 10, and her dog Spritz competed in three beginner-level disciplines: Beginner B Obedience, Novice Rally, and Grooming & Handling A. Almekinder earned a blue ribbon in Obedience, as well as being Reserve Grand Champion, the second highest award for that category. She also earned a red ribbon in Grooming & Handling with a solid performance.

In his first year at the fair, Isaacson and his dog Scout took on two advanced-level classes: Intermediate Rally-Obedience and Grooming & Handling B. Isaacson impressed everyone with his determination and earned red ribbons in both events, an achievement made even more notable by the tight competition and high scoring standards. Both Almekinder and Isaacson also took part in the cynology booth, where participants are quizzed on a wide range of dog-related knowledge and skills.

The 4-H dog project is one of the more accessible 4-H animal projects, since anyone can keep a dog in places where zoning does not permit cows, hogs, or other agricultural animals. The dog project works with 4-H’ers to train and care for their dogs.