Laura Allen: Join the Playful Paws 4-H SPIN Club now – Salisbury Post

By Laura Allen
NC Cooperative Expansion

Rowan County 4-H offers numerous opportunities for youth to discover their “spark” or passion by participating in 4-H clubs, competitions, workshops, camps, projects and more.

One of the exciting opportunities available with Rowan County 4-H is the Playful Paws 4-H SPIN Club. 4-H SPIN (Special Interest) clubs are short-term groups that focus on a specific area of ​​interest. Unlike traditional 4-H clubs, which cover a wide range of activities and may exist for many years, 4-H SPIN clubs are designed to provide focused learning experiences over a shorter period of time. These clubs often partner with local experts to provide high-quality educational experiences.

The Playful Paws 4-H SPIN Club offers youth the opportunity to teach their dogs obedience and some tricks. This club is led by Tracy Crotts, a certified dog trainer who also volunteers with 4-H.

This 4-H SPIN club meets once a week for 5 weeks and focuses on dog training. Classes are held every Tuesday in October (1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th) from 6:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. in Salisbury. Youth ages 5-18 (as of January 1) who register bring their dog to each weekly session. Parents must be present during classes to assist the child with their dog if needed. Registration must be completed by September 25th. The participation fee is $10. To register, email [email protected] to indicate your child’s interest in participating. This club is limited to 12 youth and their dogs.

Requirements:

• Young participants must bring their dog to each class.
• All dogs must not have aggression problems. Dogs that display aggressive behavior will be asked to stop attending classes. This is at the discretion of the club leader/dog trainer.
• Bitches in heat are not allowed.
• The dog must have a current rabies vaccination and a copy of the dog’s vaccination certificate must be provided before the first session.
• A parent/guardian must be present at each lesson in case the child needs assistance.
• Your dog must use a standard 6-foot leash (do not bring a flexi leash).
• You must provide dog poop bags to clean up your dog’s waste.
• To participate, youth participants must register as 4-H members on 4-HOnline at v2.4honline.com.

As you consider having your child and dog participate in the Playful Paws 4-H SPIN Club, please consider how much benefit youth can gain from learning dog training:

• Responsibility and discipline: Training a dog requires consistency, patience and dedication and helps young people develop a sense of responsibility and discipline.
• Communication skills: Training a dog requires clear communication and understanding body language, which improves a youngster’s ability to effectively convey and interpret messages.
• Empathy and compassion: Working with animals promotes empathy and compassion as young people learn to care for other living beings and understand their needs and behavior.
• Self-confidence and self-esteem: Successful dog training can boost a young person’s confidence and self-esteem and give them a sense of achievement and pride.
• Problem-solving skills: Training often involves overcoming challenges and figuring out how to change behavior, which helps develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Physical activity: Exercising, walking and playing with a dog promotes physical activity and a healthier lifestyle.
• Social skills: Attending dog training classes or clubs can help teens develop social skills as they interact with trainers, other dog owners, and peers.
• Stress relief and emotional support: Spending time with dogs can reduce stress and provide emotional support, helping teens better manage their emotions and feel more balanced.
• Lifelong skills: When young people learn how to train a dog, they gain skills that can serve them throughout their lives, whether they pursue a career in animal handling or simply enjoy the company of well-behaved pets.

These skills and experiences can have a positive impact on a young person’s personal development, well-being, and future prospects. We look forward to having your child participate in this valuable 4-H opportunity.

4-H is the youth development component of Cooperative Extension. All youth ages 5-18 (as of January 1) are invited to register and participate in 4-H. Visit us at 2727-A Old Concord Road Salisbury, NC 28146 or rowan.ces.ncsu.edu. For questions or more information, contact 704-216-8970 or [email protected].

Laura Allen is a 4-H agent with Rowan County Extension.

About Post Lifestyles

Visit us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SalPostLifestyle/ and Twitter @postlifestlyes for more content

More from Post