More Info on the 2026 Youth Dog Show coming soon!
DICKINSON PET EXPO YOUTH DOG SHOW GUIDEBOOK:
General Rules & Guidelines
GENERAL DISQUALIFICATIONS
If any of the following are presented, the given dog will be disqualified from the show and asked to leave the event grounds:
If any of the following are presented, the handler will be excused from the ring:
Showmanship
Showmanship mimics the sport of conformation dog shows, which judge dogs as “breeding stock” in order to best preserve and enhance the breed. However, in showmanship, the handler is judged instead of the dog. Dogs should still appear well behaved, well groomed, and well kept. Handlers are judged on their relationship with the dog, their knowledge of dogs, and how they handle their dog. Every judge will judge differently, so handlers are encouraged to have all of the boxes checked.
JUDGINGHandler:
Handlers will be partially judged on their knowledge of their dog’s breed(s). Purebred dogs should be shown as their breed. Mixed breed dogs may be shown with the knowledge of their individual breeds in mind. For stacking the dog and answering questions, handlers should generally choose the breed the dog looks like the most OR the breed they have the largest percentage of.
TERMINOLOGYIn conformation, each dog is judged against its “breed standard”, which describes the desired structure of the dog according to their historical purpose and work. The ways in which a judge assesses a dog depends on their breed, standard, and purpose. In 4H Showmanship, the dogs themselves are not judged, but rather the handler’s knowledge, including how to best present your dog.
Stack: The stack is what allows the judge to assess the dog’s conformation and structure from a visual standpoint. How a dog is stacked depends on their breed, but typical stacks include a dog having feet placed in a “rectangle”, facing to the handler’s right (or so the dog’s left side is always facing the judge), and looking straight forward. The hocks and front lower arms should be perpendicular to the ground.
Examination: The examination allows the judge to physically assess the dog, checking for muscling, angles, physical health, etc. In 4H, the examination is used to mimic vet exams, being comfortable with strangers, and the handler’s ability to support a confident dog. The dog should remain in a stacked position. The judge may: check eyes, check ears, lift legs, touch stomach/back, run a hand through their coat, etc. The judge will never look inside of or touch the inside of your dog’s mouth.
Gait: Gaiting allows the judge to assess the dog’s structure through movement. Every breed has a specific purpose, and many of those purposes demand specific ways of moving, which can be illustrated through the dog gaiting. The gait is what is called a two-beat pace, also known as a “trot” or “jog”. The dog should move comfortably.
Down and back: The down-and-back is done from one corner of the ring to the opposite corner and back. This should be done in proper gaiting form. Dogs should remain on the left side of their handlers, and handlers should take care to move in a straight line. At the opposite corner, handlers should slow down, turn to face the judge, and gait back. As they approach the judge, the handler should stop and re-stack their dog.
Around: The around is done around the entirety of the ring in proper gaiting form. This will take you from the front of the line to the back. Be sure to keep the dog on your left side, to ensure the judge can always see your dog. As you near the end of the line, slow down and give space for both your dog and the dog in front of you.
TIPS & SUGGESTIONS
Rally-Obedience
Rally is a dog sport that challenges dog and handler teams to navigate a course of numbered signs that display 5-15 skills they need to perform together. Each sign describes the skill that your dog is to perform next.
Rally Signs
TRICK DOG
In trick dog, handlers may choose UP TO 10 of any tricks from any of the following lists. Level One tricks offer up to 3 points per trick, Level Two tricks offer up to 6 points per trick, Level Three tricks offer up to 9 points per trick. Teams will be judged based on enthusiasm, clarity of the behavior presented, and the number of cues used. The trick may be cued up to three times before being considered a refusal. After a refusal, the handler must move on to the next trick.
SCORING
LEVEL ONE SCORING:
_/1 Points for Enthusiasm
_/1 Points for Clarity
_/1 Points Cueing
LEVEL TWO SCORING:
_/2 Points for Enthusiasm
_/2 Points for Clarity
_/2 Points Cueing
LEVEL THREE SCORING:
_/3 Points for Enthusiasm
_/3 Points for Clarity
_/3 Points Cueing
TRICKS
Level one tricks:
Level two tricks:
Level three tricks:
General Rules & Guidelines
GENERAL DISQUALIFICATIONS
If any of the following are presented, the given dog will be disqualified from the show and asked to leave the event grounds:
- The dog acts with aggression towards the handler.
- The dog acts with aggression towards other people.
- The dog acts with aggression towards other dogs.
If any of the following are presented, the handler will be excused from the ring:
- The handler does not have control of the dog.
- The judge determines the handler is being overly harsh with their dog.
- The handler presents behaviors that are unsportsmanlike towards other handlers, staff, or event attendees.
- Ask before interacting with other dogs in any way.
- Clean up after your dogs, both indoors and outdoors.
- Dog must be kenneled, in a vehicle, or on a held leash at all times while on the showgrounds/event grounds.
- Communication with people outside of the ring is frowned upon.
- Participants under 10 years old require a capable adult to help manage the dog while in the ring. The adult is not required to hold the leash, but must be prepared to help. Adults are encouraged to allow the child to do as much on their own as possible.
- Participants are encouraged to ask the judge if they have any questions
- When in the ring, dogs are not allowed to interact with each other (sniffing, playing, sharing treats, etc)
- If a dog has an accident within the ring, handlers are expected to notify the judge or a staff member and help clean it up. Be sure to take your dog potty before ring time.
- Must be up to date on parvo, distemper, and rabies vaccines on the day of the show.
- Dogs must be on a held leash at all times while on show grounds UNLESS necessary for specific tricks.
- Keep dogs watered and cool.
- Dogs may not have fleas or excessive ticks. Dogs may not show signs of illness. If any of the aforementioned are happening, the dog will be excused and asked to leave the event grounds immediately.
- Dogs with disabilities such as vision impairments, limb differences (tripods), or similar conditions are welcome to participate in the event. However, handlers are expected to make a responsible and ethical decision about whether their dog is physically and emotionally fit to compete.
- Any dog showing visible signs of distress or impairment (e.g., limping or struggling to move comfortably) may be asked to leave the ring for their own safety and well-being.
- Prongs, pinch collars, head collars, harnesses, flexi leads, and e-collars/shock collars/GPS collars are not allowed within the rings.
- Leashes within the ring may be a maximum of 6 feet long.
- A kenneling area will be provided.
- Handlers must provide their own kennel.
- Kennels may not be damaged in a way that would allow a dog to escape or harm itself.
- Kennels may not be fabric.
- If the dog becomes a nuisance through incessant barking, they will be asked to leave the kenneling area effectively.
- Close-toed shoes are required at all times within the rings.
- Participants are encouraged to dress modestly/professionally/cleanly. White shirts/4H shirts are encouraged.
- Hair should be pulled out of the face.
- For safety reasons, excessive and/or dangling jewelry should be avoided.
Showmanship
Showmanship mimics the sport of conformation dog shows, which judge dogs as “breeding stock” in order to best preserve and enhance the breed. However, in showmanship, the handler is judged instead of the dog. Dogs should still appear well behaved, well groomed, and well kept. Handlers are judged on their relationship with the dog, their knowledge of dogs, and how they handle their dog. Every judge will judge differently, so handlers are encouraged to have all of the boxes checked.
JUDGINGHandler:
- Good manners.
- Speak clearly and confidently.
- Aware of themselves, their dog, the judge, and the handlers/dogs around them.
- Dressed appropriately.
- Good sportsmanship.
- Knowledge of their own dog.
- General knowledge of: Training methods, diet and health, other breeds, etc.
- Shows a relationship with their dog.
- Manages their dog appropriately (their reactions, keeps a proper space bubble, etc)
- Able to complete the following:
- Answer basic info about their dog.
- Answer questions about general dog info.
- Stack their dog.
- Gait their dog down and back.
- Gait their dog around the ring.
- Maintain a confident, focused, and stationary dog during the examination .
- Isn’t overly stressed.
- Brushed (no mats or tangled, no dirt)
- Nails trimmed.
- Proper physical condition (age to be considered)
- Correct fit of equipment.
Handlers will be partially judged on their knowledge of their dog’s breed(s). Purebred dogs should be shown as their breed. Mixed breed dogs may be shown with the knowledge of their individual breeds in mind. For stacking the dog and answering questions, handlers should generally choose the breed the dog looks like the most OR the breed they have the largest percentage of.
TERMINOLOGYIn conformation, each dog is judged against its “breed standard”, which describes the desired structure of the dog according to their historical purpose and work. The ways in which a judge assesses a dog depends on their breed, standard, and purpose. In 4H Showmanship, the dogs themselves are not judged, but rather the handler’s knowledge, including how to best present your dog.
Stack: The stack is what allows the judge to assess the dog’s conformation and structure from a visual standpoint. How a dog is stacked depends on their breed, but typical stacks include a dog having feet placed in a “rectangle”, facing to the handler’s right (or so the dog’s left side is always facing the judge), and looking straight forward. The hocks and front lower arms should be perpendicular to the ground.
Examination: The examination allows the judge to physically assess the dog, checking for muscling, angles, physical health, etc. In 4H, the examination is used to mimic vet exams, being comfortable with strangers, and the handler’s ability to support a confident dog. The dog should remain in a stacked position. The judge may: check eyes, check ears, lift legs, touch stomach/back, run a hand through their coat, etc. The judge will never look inside of or touch the inside of your dog’s mouth.
Gait: Gaiting allows the judge to assess the dog’s structure through movement. Every breed has a specific purpose, and many of those purposes demand specific ways of moving, which can be illustrated through the dog gaiting. The gait is what is called a two-beat pace, also known as a “trot” or “jog”. The dog should move comfortably.
Down and back: The down-and-back is done from one corner of the ring to the opposite corner and back. This should be done in proper gaiting form. Dogs should remain on the left side of their handlers, and handlers should take care to move in a straight line. At the opposite corner, handlers should slow down, turn to face the judge, and gait back. As they approach the judge, the handler should stop and re-stack their dog.
Around: The around is done around the entirety of the ring in proper gaiting form. This will take you from the front of the line to the back. Be sure to keep the dog on your left side, to ensure the judge can always see your dog. As you near the end of the line, slow down and give space for both your dog and the dog in front of you.
TIPS & SUGGESTIONS
- The use of treats is encouraged. Toys are allowed, but cannot be squeaked, thrown, or used in any way that may distract other dogs.
- Handlers may wear a treat pouch.
- In order for the judge to view the dog, the handler should make an effort to have the dog between them and the judge at all times.
Rally-Obedience
Rally is a dog sport that challenges dog and handler teams to navigate a course of numbered signs that display 5-15 skills they need to perform together. Each sign describes the skill that your dog is to perform next.
- The event is timed, but handlers are scored on how well they perform each sign.
- Courses will be posted the morning of the show. All handlers will be given an opportunity before the rally show starts to walk through the course WITHOUT DOGS.
- Handlers are encouraged to praise or talk to their dogs, clap hands, pat their legs, and use other such forms of encouragement.
- Handlers should avoid touching their dogs. If a dog is touched by the handler, there will be a deduction of points.
- Signs are placed to the handler’s right side, except for change in directions. The designated exercise should be performed in close proximity to the sign itself, either in front, back of, or beside the sign. However, exercises that utilize cones may require entry with the sign on the left.
- Handlers may not have any food or toys on them while in the ring.
- Each handler will start with a total of 100 points and will receive deductions as faults are made by the dog or handler.
- Please refer below for major and minor deductions, and faults. Fastest times will be used to break ties on scores at all levels.
- An incorrectly performed (IP) sign occurs when a team attempts a sign and fails to perform the principal parts of the sign as described on the first attempt. The handler may choose to retry the sign once, for a correct performance, accepting the mandatory 3-point deduction for the retry of the sign. The sign is considered an IP if the handler chooses not to retry or fails to perform the sign correctly on the second attempt.
- Retry of a sign — only one (1) retry of each sign will be allowed unless otherwise stated. Retry of a sign is an automatic 3-point deduction. (minus 3 points)
- Failure of the dog and handler to perform the sign correctly on the first attempt will result in a five-point deduction for an incorrectly performed (IP) sign, and the handler should move along without attempting a retry.
- Tight leash.
- Dog touching/interfering with handler .
- Resisted response from dog.
- Knocking over a sign, sign holder, or cone.
- Retry of sign.
- Lack of control.
- Excessive barking.
- Incorrectly performed sign.
- Luring/pleading with the dog.
Rally Signs
TRICK DOG
In trick dog, handlers may choose UP TO 10 of any tricks from any of the following lists. Level One tricks offer up to 3 points per trick, Level Two tricks offer up to 6 points per trick, Level Three tricks offer up to 9 points per trick. Teams will be judged based on enthusiasm, clarity of the behavior presented, and the number of cues used. The trick may be cued up to three times before being considered a refusal. After a refusal, the handler must move on to the next trick.
SCORING
LEVEL ONE SCORING:
_/1 Points for Enthusiasm
_/1 Points for Clarity
_/1 Points Cueing
LEVEL TWO SCORING:
_/2 Points for Enthusiasm
_/2 Points for Clarity
_/2 Points Cueing
LEVEL THREE SCORING:
_/3 Points for Enthusiasm
_/3 Points for Clarity
_/3 Points Cueing
TRICKS
Level one tricks:
- Verbal Sit
- Verbal Down
- Verbal Stand (Standing on 4 feet from a sitting or down position)
- Balance beam (walk on low board a few inches off floor)
- Crawl (Dog on belly, crawls at least 3 feet)
- Fetch it and give (Ball, toy, etc- bring to handler, let go of toy)
- Front paws on a raised platform
- All four paws on a raised platform
- Get in a box
- Verbal Come
- High five/shake
- Jump over a low jump/through a low hoop
- Kennel up
- Spin in a circle
- Touch hand
- Hand chin rest
- Put 1 item into box
- Play dead
- Roll
- Walk backwards at least 3 feet
- Bow
- Dance (Standing on two feet)
- Circle around handler
- Middle (Go between handler’s legs)
- Put head through collar (Handler holds out collar)
Level two tricks:
- Bark on cue
- Retrieve a named item (“Get your leash/brush/name of toy”)
- Hand signal sit (No verbal cue)
- Hand signal down (No verbal cue)
- Hand signal stand (No verbal cue)
- Hand signal come (No verbal cue)
- Hold an object in mouth for 3 seconds
- Touch a target object
- Tunnel
- Object chin rest (Such as putting chin on a chair)
- Jump over handler’s raised leg
- Figure 8 through handler’s legs
- Clean up 3 items into box
- Cover eyes with paw
- Identify toy by name (out of 3)
- Jump into handler’s arms
- Jump onto handler’s back
- Shake (As in shake off water)
- Sneeze
- Dig (Pretend to dig - no props)
- Side step (Dog moves laterally)
- Walk forward on front two feet for at least three feet
Level three tricks:
- Balance treat on nose/head
- Hold a basket/bag/bucket handle for 5 seconds
- Jump through handler’s circled arms
- Clean up 5 items into box
- Push a barrel/stroller
- Cover face with blanket/towel
- Identify toy by name (out of 5)
- Jump over handler’s back
- Crawl backwards at least 3 feet
- Reverse circle around handler
- Pull a tissue out of a box
- Figure 8 around cone without handler
- Limp
- Soccer (push ball into goal)
