OCEANSIDE — Dogs put their best paw forward on April 26 at the Bonsall 4-H Dog Show at Alamosa Park.

4-H club members came from all corners of San Diego County to compete with their canines. “I’m competing in obedience, showmanship, long sits and downs,” said 11-year-old Franklin Boren of Escondido, who was competing with his dog June, a corgi mix.

San Diego County 4-H holds six dog shows throughout the county each year. While youth handlers, ages 6 to 18, can compete with mixed breed dogs in 4-H competitions, members are also trained in American Kennel Club handling if they want to participate in purebred competitions, said dog show chair Bonnie Trigg.

4-H helps young handlers train animals, but Trigg wants people to understand that 4-H is more than raising pigs and cows. “Some people think of 4-H as simply farm animals and it’s not,” Trigg said. “Youth learn leadership and responsibility by having a four-legged child to take care of.”

“4-H helps teach values, responsibility, respect, all the things you look for in extracurricular activities,” 4-H mom Stephanie Boren said.

The benefits of handling and competition go way beyond the bragging rights of winning. “I do this mostly to bond with my dog,” said 14-year-old Kayln Beach of Valley Center, who showed her doberman Shatzie. “The more challenges we face together, the more we grow.”

Although it was a competition day, Franklin said he has bigger plans for his dog June. “I want my dog to become a therapy dog, he has to learn to be very obedient,” Franklin said. 4-H is a good place to start.