4 The Dogs Training & Events

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4 The Dogs Training & Events Dog sport (barn hunt, herding, scent work) training in the Smithfield area of Virginia. We also host trials and other dog sport events during the year.
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In home +R companion/pet manners and dog sport training also available in the Hampton Roads area.

For all our scentwork students!
28/08/2024

For all our scentwork students!

Just a reminder to sign up for our October Scent Work trials, if you haven't already!

A special thank you to one of our junior handlers, Addison for spending a day during her last week of summer break helpi...
20/08/2024

A special thank you to one of our junior handlers, Addison for spending a day during her last week of summer break helping Elizabeth clean out the barn.

After all the recent summer rain we had some bales that had gotten wet. All wet and questionable bales were removed and added to compost. All fluff was removed and will be distributed around the farm to the livestock. A trailer of new bales was picked up and unloaded and a new course was built for upcoming lessons.

For those wondering, straw is just over $8 a bale after taxes…. potty those dogs before lessons and their trial runs 🙂

The post cleanup smoothies were most refreshing!

Paisley is hustling over to the website to find out what fun classes she can be a part of this fall! The September class...
15/08/2024

Paisley is hustling over to the website to find out what fun classes she can be a part of this fall!

The September class schedule is now available! We start losing daylight so evening classes will start to be limited until March :( but our daytime classes are still going!

Agility, scent work, and our sport foundations class is back on the schedule for teams looking to get into a variety of sports...... What classes will your dog join?

https://schdeule4thedogs.as.me/?appointmentType=category:Hampton%20Group%20Classes

23/07/2024

After rattie intros we did water intros for the litter. They will sleep all afternoon!

Our July Barn Hunt Trials are a wrap! Thank you to everyone who helped out all weekend and especially to our judges Shan...
15/07/2024

Our July Barn Hunt Trials are a wrap! Thank you to everyone who helped out all weekend and especially to our judges Shannon Floyd and Holly Boyd.

Special thanks to my core 4 The Dogs pit crew: Deirdre, Renee, Brenda, Kathy, Addison, Scott, Wendy, Gloria, Alison and Meghan for the long days from setup to cleanup and for the admin help. These folks are the ones who keep me sane during the long weekends and keep workers working and things moving when I can’t. From paperwork to helping new folks to rat tube loading to working the rings, the core group of folks make these trials possible with help from every exhibitor who fills in on the days they can in between their own runs. There is not a single person who helps that I don’t appreciate stepping in even if only for a couple dogs. Without your help our trials really couldn’t happen and we hope that we continue to have the support to hold them.

This weekend we were finally able to award a Full House team! The Sexy team of Lewis (wasn’t there at the end of today for the photo), Tiny Tim, Epic and Lexi were 1 of 2 teams to have a dog with a qualifying run in novice, open, senior and master this weekend. They beat out the team Hot Mess Express by about 1 min over the 4 runs. This was just a fun team thing we did on the side during the trial.

Hope to see you all at the farm in September! Thanks again for a great weekend!!!!!!’

Congratulations to Violet, Celeste and Chaps for earning RATCHX titles this weekend and taking home our custom RATCHX ri...
15/07/2024

Congratulations to Violet, Celeste and Chaps for earning RATCHX titles this weekend and taking home our custom RATCHX ribbons made by Meghan Rice!

Classes begin next week! We have a last minute opening in the previously full Intro to Scent Work class on Thursday morn...
03/07/2024

Classes begin next week! We have a last minute opening in the previously full Intro to Scent Work class on Thursday mornings at 10am. This class is for dogs new to scent work who are not already on odor.

There are also a few openings in our novice travel scent work class and some of our agility classes as well.

https://4thedogstraining.com/schedule

We are putting together a Klimb order to include Pink if anyone is interested in ordering please send us a message. Orde...
26/06/2024

We are putting together a Klimb order to include Pink if anyone is interested in ordering please send us a message. Order will be placed July 3 and we hope to have them in for pickup at the Barn Hunt trials but occasionally the limited edition colors take longer to ship.

Do you have a dog that needs some confidence building? Have you considered our agility foundations class? This class is ...
26/06/2024

Do you have a dog that needs some confidence building? Have you considered our agility foundations class?

This class is great for puppies or dogs that need to build their confidence even if you don’t plan on agility as a ‘career’. We will work on skills that help your dog be more confident moving away from you and coming back, new surfaces, noises, focus and attention and trust.

Classes begin in 2 weeks!

https://schdeule4thedogs.as.me/?template=class

Last minute opening for adecompression/excercise session or barn hunt private on Wednesday (6/26) at 4pm. PM if the webs...
25/06/2024

Last minute opening for a
decompression/excercise session or barn hunt private on Wednesday (6/26) at 4pm. PM if the website doesn’t show it available.

Pepper had a great time getting an exfoliating sand scrub during her decompression time at the farm today. Q spent his t...
19/06/2024

Pepper had a great time getting an exfoliating sand scrub during her decompression time at the farm today.

Q spent his time trying to figure out why his
puller was stuck under his foot.

FYI - don’t risk losing your dog without ID!!!! Even the best trained dogs can get spooked and run. We all know firework...
19/06/2024

FYI - don’t risk losing your dog without ID!!!! Even the best trained dogs can get spooked and run. We all know fireworks around here aren't just one night. Better to be prepared just in case the unthinkable happens.

With Fourth of July fast approaching Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter wants to offer free pet tags to our community! With this effort we hope neighbors can help neighbors by reuniting people and their pets outside of the shelter during a time when so many pets go missing.

The shelter will be making tags for our community this Thursday 6/20 and Sunday 6/23 between 12pm and 4pm in our adoption lobby.

There will be a short form to fill out so we can make your pet tag!

Thanks to Signature CanvasMakers for allowing us to visit for some scent work practice tonight! Our travel scent work cl...
19/06/2024

Thanks to Signature CanvasMakers for allowing us to visit for some scent work practice tonight!

Our travel scent work classes enjoy the variety of locations - especially ones that are locally owned small businesses 🙂 If anyone has a boat look these folks up!

If you are planning on drop in weaves and teeter practice tomorrow in the yard, please send me a message and let me know...
18/06/2024

If you are planning on drop in weaves and teeter practice tomorrow in the yard, please send me a message and let me know. Temps at 11 tomorrow are breezy and 79.

*dogs should already be familiar with the equipment- this is so they get in some
extra practice between class sessions so they don’t forget :)*

Don’t forget the upcoming Barn Hunt trials in Hampton next month! You still have a couple weeks to register online via s...
18/06/2024

Don’t forget the upcoming Barn Hunt trials in Hampton next month! You still have a couple weeks to register online via secreterrier or by mail/hand delivery!

Bopper says come see how I roll!

July Classes are now available for registration!Our class schedule is as follows:Monday 6pm Agility:Weaves and Teeter Cl...
14/06/2024

July Classes are now available for registration!

Our class schedule is as follows:

Monday 6pm Agility:Weaves and Teeter Class (dogs over 12mo)
Monday 7pm Scent Work: Novice/Advanced Skill Building (dogs must be on odor and have been exposed to exterior, containers and buried elements)

Tuesday 6pm Scent Work: Novice/Advanced Travel Class
Tuesday 7pm Scent Work: Excellent/Master Travel Class

Wednesday 10am Agility: Agility Foundations (dogs over 6mo)
Wednesday 11am Agility: Sequences with Contacts and Weaves (dogs must already know all equipment)

Thursday 10am Scent Work: Intro/Foundations (dogs that are NOT already on odor)

www.4thedogstraining.com/schedule

***Attention Barn Hunters***We are collecting feedback on the use of Secreterrier for online Barn Hunt entries for the t...
01/06/2024

***Attention Barn Hunters***

We are collecting feedback on the use of Secreterrier for online Barn Hunt entries for the trial in July. We used this for online entries in May at The IOC and are wondering if you would like us to use it again. If you would or would not, please take time to complete this very very short survey by noon on Sunday.

Using this service will cause all runs to have a price increase of $1 a run. There are more details in the survey.

Mail and hand delivered entries will still be accepted.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/P56YBVB

Enjoying lovely weather today at the farm. Spark rates decompression and exercise time a 10/10 if you leave your annoyin...
22/05/2024

Enjoying lovely weather today at the farm. Spark rates decompression and exercise time a 10/10 if you leave your annoying sister at home next time.

Dante working out his hide in scent work class tonight.
22/05/2024

Dante working out his hide in scent work class tonight.

We have a 2:00 and 5:00 slot open on Wednesday this week for barn hunt or decompression time! The high will be in the mi...
21/05/2024

We have a 2:00 and 5:00 slot open on Wednesday this week for barn hunt or decompression time! The high will be in the mid -80’s there is still a brief window to book through the website or you can send us a message.

Thanks to Meghan Rice for making our special Cinco de Rato RATCHX ribbons!
06/05/2024

Thanks to Meghan Rice for making our special Cinco de Rato RATCHX ribbons!

Our first Fetch Tests were a success! We had nearly 20 dogs earn their novice titles today! Feel free to share your brag...
28/04/2024

Our first Fetch Tests were a success! We had nearly 20 dogs earn their novice titles today! Feel free to share your brag photos!

Sporting, Herding, Working and Terrier groups were represented in addition to mixed breeds/all americans.

Thanks Judges Renee and Christine!

Thanks Toni for coming and helping with barn cleanup today and Shannon/Scott for the use of the trailer to haul over new...
26/04/2024

Thanks Toni for coming and helping with barn cleanup today and Shannon/Scott for the use of the trailer to haul over new bales of straw!

We were able to donate lots of old fluff to the birds and some old bales to the farm livestock for future bedding.

We are reset for the a busy group of lessons this week and the trials next weekend! Saturday has a little bit of space but Friday and Sunday are full.

Fresh air and chores! This Friday (April 26) Elizabeth will be at the farm around noon to clean up the barn storage area...
23/04/2024

Fresh air and chores! This Friday (April 26) Elizabeth will be at the farm around noon to clean up the barn storage area, assess what bales need replacing and removing the current broken down fluff in preparation for the May 3-5 trials.

If anyone wants to volunteer to help out the weather looks lovely for some fresh air and manual labor. With 3-4 people we can likely be done with the the clean up by 2. Raking, Raking, raking….

If you can come help shoot us a message! Water will be provided.

16/04/2024

Fetch Tests are 60% full!

6 days left to pre-enter

Group classes are now available for registration!We didn't have quite enough folks committed to new classes at the same ...
16/04/2024

Group classes are now available for registration!

We didn't have quite enough folks committed to new classes at the same times for May, but we plan in July to offer a daytime scent work intro class and also another agility foundation class.

Sign up for May classes here: https://schdeule4thedogs.as.me/schedule.php?template=class

Monday 6pm Agility Basic Handling
Monday 7pm Scent Work Foundations 2

Tuesday 3:30pm Agility Adv Handling
Tuesday 6:00pm Nov/Adv Scent Work Travel Class
Tuesday 7:00pm Excellent/Master Scent Work Travel Class

Wednesday 11am Contacts and Weaves Part 2

We are finishing up our May/June class schedule. Registration will Open to the public on 4/15/24. Classes begin the week...
10/04/2024

We are finishing up our May/June class schedule. Registration will Open to the public on 4/15/24. Classes begin the week of 4/30/24.

So far this is what we have planned:
Monday 6pm Agility Basic Handling (for dogs over 12mo who know jumps and tunnels)
Monday 7pm Scent Work Foundations 2 (dogs must be on odor doing basic searches

Tuesday 3:30pm Agility Adv Handling (ex/master/premier skills)
Tuesday 6:00pm Nov/Adv Scent Work Travel Class (dogs getting ready to trial or dogs trailing in Nov/Adv - must be on odor and searching)
Tuesday 7:00pm Excellent/Master Scent Work Travel Class (dogs must have at least 2 advanced element titles and be on all 3 odors)

Wednesday 11am Contacts and Weaves Part 2 (must have teeter foundation and 6 channel weaves to join)

We have a few time slots we can add in additional classes. Here is a survey of some of the requested classes we have heard might be in demand and when they might work in our schedule.

IF you'd like to provide feedback on other classes the survey link is here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LNPZCTZ Please provide feedback by Friday, 4/12/24

In July/August I plan to start another daytime agility foundation group.

Fetch dog practice this afternoon!
08/04/2024

Fetch dog practice this afternoon!

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Have you been waiting for a Saturday barnhunt lesson? Keri has made 4/27 available, currently from noon to 4pm! *Our next trial is May 3-5* Saturday lessons are only available a few times a year. Don't miss out! Scheduling link in the comments below. #barnhunt #dogsports

Back from Camp Unleashed and back to local lessons! Maggie didn’t waste anytime getting her rat! https://schdeule4thedogs.as.me/

We often receive requests for weekend decompression times, but the fenced areas aren't always available for us to use This Saturday (8/26), we have decompression time available! Enjoy 45 minutes of 'free' time to walk/run, play, explore, and swim dogs in an enclosed area at the farm Spaces are limited, secure your spot ASAP! Link in comments below to schedule

With all the talk about the July barn hunt trials we just did the application for our September trials back at the farm. We are looking for 5-6 people to join the committee for these trials Sept 8-10, 2023. If you'd like to be on the committee please send us a message... but everyone save the date! We will also be offering Line Drive for the first time. We will decide after this weekend if we offer it in 2024 at any of the trial. Attached is a video of Lexi the Boston Terrier doing Line Drive. There are 9 tubes, 4 rats and you have 1 minute to find them all. Dogs can run on leash (read the rules for approved collars/harnesses) or off leash if you are in a ring.

Sass is staying here for the week while her family is on spring break. Today we practiced barn hunt, swam, watched herding and did some agility practice - including working on her weaves.

Comic is working on a 360 degree pivot on the bowl… he says this is hard stuff but he’s getting closer

Pooh has been working on his jump grid training for agility. This works his timing and coordination, stays, and impulse control. He has been wearing his #ficollar to track his workouts. No surprise he gets more steps than I do! He’s already at 8,000 steps today! Don’t know about Fi Collars? They track your dogs activity (like a fitbit) but can also be used with GPS to locate your dog if they get lost. You can also setup safe zones so if they accidentally get out of the yard you can get an alert on your phone. Here is our referral link to check them out: https://shop.tryfi.com/r/39J8HX/?utm_source=referrals If you decide you want one for your dog (or dogs) this link will get you a free spare collar - because fashionable dog gear is fun!

Someone asked me this week what the largest dog I’ve worked with is…. This handsome guy might be the tallest (Samuel the mastiff outweighs him)! We’ve spent the past month working on his swimming skills for fun, exercise, and conditioning. I think he’s got it! #greatdane #swimmingdog #therealioc #4thedogstraining #bigdogscanswim #greatdanesofinstagram #kongdogtoys #exerciseyourdog #funinthesun #hamptonroadsdogs #hamptonroadspets #crosstrainining

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It’s All 4 The Dogs

4 The Dogs is a club and a training business located in Hampton Roads, VA.

The club started as friends who got together to host Barn Hunt and Herding trials. That has expanded into training for these sports as well as other sports and now in-home training, manners, puppy socialization, Stand Up Paddleboarding with your dogs and more!

Elizabeth is the trainer for all things except Herding. Elizabeth has been active in dog showing and sports for over a decade. Her rescue beagle, Bandit, was the first dog she trained nearly 15 years ago. Bandit was a therapy dog and humored Elizabeth in a few sports. She then fell in love with Boston Terriers and has raised, bred and shown them for 12.5 years. She also had the companionship of a Bernese Mountain Dog for 9 years and in addition to the bostons, she also shares her life with Australian Shepherds. She has shown them in conformation, agility, barn hunt, tricks, obedience/rally, scent work, herding, coursing events and dock diving. She has a top 20 nationally titled barn hunt dog and has some of the first bostons titled in scent work. Elizabeth has also trained service dogs to assist their humans with disabilities. She also believes that while competition is fun and training for sports offers a fun hobby for human and canine, it is also valuable for humans and canines to live together in their everyday lives and she enjoys meeting with clients to help them train their companion animals (pets).

Elizabeth is CCPDT-KA certified in dog training (https://www.ccpdt.org/dog-owners/how-to-choose-a-dog-trainer/). She is also an active, licensed Barn Hunt Association judge, AKC Farm Dog judge, trial secretary for barn hunt and scent work and an AKC Canine Good Citizen and Trick Dog Evaluator.