We know Juniors are goal-driven, as most work hard and keep track of qualifying for the AKC National Championship or for Westminster. I want to point out the obvious: Each junior has different resources, time, finances, support, etc. Some are regular school students where the school limits the days absent (that was the absolute case with my granddaughter when she was a Junior). Other Juniors have parents or grandparents with limited time off from work and/or limited finances for dog shows. For most Juniors, doing a dog show every weekend is absolutely beyond any normal expectation. But Juniors can have good goals even if they cannot show each weekend.
Join a local dog club. Really make this a goal. The dog clubs need members and they also need Junior input. By being a member, you can make some great Junior suggestions to the club.
Attend your Breed Club National. This is something each Junior should try to do at least once during their Junior career; and more than once if you can.
Participate in a Regional or Statewide Best of the Best Junior. There is a growing number of prestigious Junior Events; many with scholarships and other great benefits.
Finish a Championship or a Grand Championship on your Dog. Many Juniors already work on this, but make it a goal; and look for shows that help you accomplish getting it done.
How About Getting a Back-End Title for Your Dog? This is another thing that many Juniors already do, but pick something you have not done yet. There are plenty of options from Fit Dog to Fetch to Fast CAT; and your dog will likely love it.
Look for an opportunity to learn a new dog breed. And, of course, see if you can show it, but also learn to groom it, train it, etc.
Help your club’s Junior Coordinator with Pee Wees. Pee Wees love the regular Juniors being around to support them; and your club’s Junior Coordinators will welcome your help with checking in kids, handing out prizes, and even making sure forms are signed.
Get with your local Dog Show Chair and find a show task you can assist with or do. This cannot be stressed enough, that shows need working volunteers and there are things that Juniors can help with.
Go to a destination event. There’s much to see and do at a fun type of show such as Woofstock. Or maybe for Juniors who also do UKC, you will want to go to UKC’s Premiere.
Try a weekend working for a Professional Handler. Make sure your parent properly checks out the handler and that it is a good fit, but you can learn quite a bit about dogs, dog shows, and the responsibilities of being a pro handler.
Learn ring stewarding and volunteer to steward at a show. This might be something you and your parent will want to do together, and it will earn you a top layer of respect. Schedule a professional dog photo session. At least once before you age-out of Juniors, do a professional photo shoot with your dog.
I highly recommend doing a local Paint Your Pet event. It’s so much fun, and maybe get a group of Juniors together so that you can all do it together (or suggest it as an activity to your dog club). Schedule at least one Give-Back Day. This can be volunteering at a shelter or walking dogs for some seniors in your area or helping with an area dog event.
Donate outgrown show clothes to a younger Junior. Easy Peasy! Or coordinate an area Junior Clothing Exchange. Interview someone you admire in dogs. This can be a longtime Breeder in your breed, a Pro Handler, a Judge, or your Vet, etc. It may give you an opportunity for a school paper or report or maybe even a magazine article.
Write a dog article or Junior article and submit it to your breed club magazine or another, broader dog magazine. Use your voice! (There were times when my granddaughter’s articles were even published in the AKC Gazette.)
No matter your goals, the retired business consultant in me wants you to make them Smart Goals, which means Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely! And the grandma in me says, “Make them FUN and something you will be proud to say, ‘Look what my dog and I accomplished in 2025!’”
Go for it, Juniors! Oh, and if you have any wonderful suggestions for Junior Goals, I’d sure like to hear them. And if you need my help with a goal of your own, just ask!
