WI State 4-H Dog Learning Days – October 24th and 25th
Sponsored by the WI 4-H State Dog Association
WI State 4-H Dog Project – Learning Days
(State 4-H Dog Board and Association meeting will be held after the Sat. learning day.)
When: Saturday, October 24th (Agility) and October 25th (Rally)
Time: 9AM – 2PM
Location: Bark Academy, 2522 Overlook Dr. Wausau, WI 54401
Space is limited: There are 40 spots available for this event, each day. There is a 1 dog maximum per handler. All youth members need to be current 4-H members and accompanied by a parent/guardian or chaperone. Youth registration will not be accepted without an adult listed as attending with them. 4-H Dog Project Policies will be followed at this event.
Vaccination requirements: All WI 4-H Dog Project Vaccination Policies will be followed for this event. A copy of the vaccination records needs to be added with your online registration for your registration to be complete. Registration will not be accepted without submitted vaccination records.
Who should attend: All participants must be currently enrolled WI 4-H Dog Project Youth Members – 3rd grade and older. This camp is ideal for all 4-H dog project junior handlers seeking to refine their skills, whether preparing for competition or simply strengthening their partnership with their dog. All experience levels are welcome—activities tailored to individual skill sets and training goals.
The tentative agenda for the day is listed below – check out all the session information.
Cost: $10.00 per youth/dog team per day. It is $20 dollar for both events.
You will be able to pay at the event registration table. If you do not show-up for the event, and you have not withdrawn before the registration withdrawal deadline, you will be invoiced for your payment.
Registration deadline: October 16th or when the event is filled to capacity, whatever happens first. October 21st is the last day to withdraw from this event. Any registration withdrawal after this date will be responsible for payment regardless of attendance.
Registration is through 4-H Online: https://fall264hdoglearningdays.4honline.com
Lunch: Please bring your own lunch with you – the group will eat while a question and answer session is held. There will not be a food vendor at this event. Also, you should also bring a folding style camp chair.
State 4-H Dog Board and Association meeting will be held after the learning day. See the agenda at the website link below for approximate time. If you are only coming for the meeting after the learning day is finished – you do not have to register or pay to attend the meeting.
Agility Featured Speaker and Youth Leader: Addison Connolly
Addison Connolly (16), is a dedicated and accomplished dog agility enthusiast based in Galesville, Wisconsin. She is passionate about training and showing her two Border Collies, Cooper (7) and Quest (5 months). Since 2018, Addison has been an active member of the Trempealeau County 4-H Dog Project, and in 2022 she took on the role of Dog Agility Youth Leader, passionately mentoring aspiring dog agility 4-H members and their dogs. She currently serves as the Youth Vice President for the Wisconsin State 4-H Dog Project, where she helps guide and grow the program for fellow youth members.
Addison is a five-time Wisconsin State 4-H Dog Agility Top Handler/Dog Team Champion. She competes at the Excellent level in both Standard Agility and Jumpers under the American Kennel Club (AKC) as well as Level 2 and 3 Agility and Jumpers at AKC International Sweepstakes Class (ISC) trial events – demonstrating consistent excellence in competition. In 2025, Addison represented Team USA at the Junior Open World Championships in Portugal, and this past fall traveled to Jacksonville, Florida to compete in the UK Agility National (UKI) US Open. Addison attends numerous agility workshops and seminars to advance her skills and her dogs’ performance. Addison’s commitment and leadership in the dog agility community make her a role model for young handlers nationwide.
Rally Featured Speaker and Youth Leader: Matthew Carlson
Matthew has been training and showing dogs since the age of four, beginning his own journey with his dog, Carmen San Diego, when he was eight. He started in the local 4-H program, supported by his sister and project mentors, eventually competing across the 4-H state level, UKC, AKC, and ASCA.
He now owns two Australian Shepherds and continues to show and train while mentoring others to become better showmen and trainers themselves.
Notable accomplishments include:
– 4-H State Dog Show: Placed 1st in Rally and Obedience and earned 1st and 2nd place finishes in Junior Showmanship during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. More recently, he was named Best Intermediate Handler in 2024.
– United Kennel Club (UKC): Matthew guided Carmen to the Master level in Rally Obedience, qualified for the All-Stars competition in Levels 2 and 3, and a Companion Dog (CD) title in Obedience.
– UKC National Junior Showmanship: Placed in the top four for five consecutive years, culminating in a national victory in 2024.
-UKC National Junior Performance Competition in 2025: Placing 2nd in Rally Obedience and 2nd in Obedience.
– Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA): Titled in Rally Obedience and is currently working toward “X” titles, which require scores of 195 or higher out of 200.
– ASCA Nationals: Earned a CD title and won the 2024 National Junior Showmanship Competition held in Nebraska.
Tentative Dog Agility Learning Day Agenda: Coming Soon