4G & TB

05/25/2026

We had a great weekend playing with our dogs. Thanks to everyone who joined us!! Huge shoutout to seasoned competitors and volunteers who helped all the newbies on Saturday. We received really nice compliments about the support for new people!
Hats off to our Exterior judge, Kim! She braved almost all the elements this weekend. And she set some amazing searches for the dogs. Dennis, Keri, and Sandra also did a fantastic job keeping everyone on their toes!
I can never say enough about the amazing people who show up and make things happen. Nikki, Nancy, Kelly, Meghan, Kelly, Michelle, Gina, Ruth, Connie, and Ule...the success of these trials is directly related to the support from all of you.

Congratulations to everyone who took the time to play with your dogs. It was so exciting to see some of our veterans earn big titles this weekend. And it was a joy to welcome the new players.
LET'S SEE THOSE PICTURES!!

Our next UKC Nosework Trial is in August!

Visit our website for upcoming events:
Www.4gandtb.com/events

**WE STILL HAVE SPACE!! Join Dennis and Laura in the Rockin It Seminar June 6/7! Working spots will tire you and your dog out!

05/15/2026

Update: Mabel came through surgery and she's doing so well. And so is mom!

SO MUCH GOING ON OVER HERE!!

--Confirmation and wait list letters have gone out for Hell's Gate NW3!! Check your spam and junk folders.
ALSO!!! YES! you can change days if you want. Please find someone to swap days with you - then send us an email copying the person you are swapping with and we will make the change. We want you to trial with your buddies - make the swap!

--Our UKC trial for next weekend is filling up fast! The vehicle element is full. No worries, we started a wait list. Come play with your pup and get those legs to finish your titles!

--ROCKIN' IT SEMINAR!! We still have room in this seminar. If you want to work on your observational skills, if you want to really work your dog - and yourself, sign up today! A working spot is a true working spot...you will be running all afternoon on Saturday and all day on Sunday. Your dog will get dozens of repetitions each day to work their skills.

--Plan for the future:
-UKC Nosework Trials in August and October
-C-WAGS in November
-Holiday Photos in November

Find more information and sign up on our website: www.4gandtb.com/events

We hope to see you all soon!

Photo tax: send all your love to little Ms. Mabel, pictured below. She's going in for surgery and mom is super stressed. We are all sending our love Jessi!!

05/13/2026

You will learn so much...about yourself. And, if you pay attention, you might become a better trainer too.

05/10/2026

Happy Mothers Day to all the Dog Moms!

05/08/2026

Go do this workshop!! Kirsten’s Chicken Workshops is the place to be!

04/30/2026

Our hearts are full of gratitude for everyone who donated, shared our fundraiser, sent encouraging messages, and kept our students in your thoughts during this incredibly difficult time.

What could have been a devastating setback at the end of the academic year after a house fire became a powerful reminder of what community truly means. Because of your generosity and support, these students have been able to begin rebuilding—purchasing clothes, school supplies, and other essentials needed to finish the school year strong.

More importantly, you showed them that they are not facing this challenge alone. They now know they have a community behind them, providing not only immediate relief, but also a foundation of support as they continue toward their goals.

Thank you for turning a moment of crisis into one of hope, resilience, and kindness. We are deeply grateful for each and every one of you.

Help 4G&TB reach their goal by donating or sharing with your friends.

04/28/2026

Spots are still OPEN for our upcoming Criteria & Chaining Workshops—and this is a rare opportunity you don’t want to miss.

If you’ve ever struggled with:
✔️ Breaking behaviors into clear, trainable steps
✔️ Building reliable performance through chaining
✔️ Knowing when to raise criteria (and when not to)

…this workshop is for you.

You’ll not only gain hands-on, practical skills—you’ll also have the incredible opportunity to work alongside Dr. Bob Bailey in his element, observing and learning from one of the most influential trainers in the field.

🐔 Hands-on learning
🎯 Clear, practical application
💡 Immediate improvements you can take back to your own training
🔥 Learn directly from a legend

Spots are limited—and once they’re gone, they’re gone.

👉 Secure your spot now: www.kirstenschickenworkshops.com/events

Let’s build better trainers—one behavior at a time.

04/24/2026

UPCOMING EVENTS!!
For those who have been waiting for an update, we've got a lot of fun planned for the year.

May 23-24 - UKC Nosework Trial, Joliet, IL
The vehicle element is filling fast. Vehicles are only offered on Saturday. Please don't wait! Once vehicles are full, we will start a wait list.

June 6-7 - Rockin' Seminar, Joliet, IL
Join Dennis and Laura for a weekend of learning and running your legs off. Come prepared to work, you will be just as tired as your dog. We have a few working spots open for this seminar.

June 27-28 - Two Days of NW3, Lockport, IL
Sniff at a HellsGate Haunted House!! A fan favorite and our favorite. This trial opens May 11

August 23-24 - UKC Nosework Trial, Joliet, IL
Two days of sniffing fun, two trials each day, all levels
Saturday: Container, Interior, Exterior, and Vehicle
Sunday: Container, Interior, Exterior, HD

October 31- November 1 - UKC Nosework Trial, Joliet, IL
Two days of sniffing fun, two trials each day, all levels
Saturday: Container, Interior, Exterior, and Vehicle
Sunday: Container, Interior, Exterior, HD

November 7-8 - Holiday Photos with Santa, Joliet, IL
Bring your dogs, cats, ferrets, and children for interactive photos booths and your own private time with Santa.

Find more details and sign up on our website:

Our working spots are full at this time, please feel free to sign up for the Wait List.  We will take entries in the order they are received. 

04/23/2026

For our dog sport followers: we have some fun events coming up. That post will be next.

For all of us:
As we enter the final week of our fundraising for our Agricultural students, we wanted to take a moment to thank you for the incredible support you’ve already shown to the four college students who lost everything in the recent house fire. This fundraiser ends April 30th)

Because of this community’s generosity, these students have been able to replace essential clothing, purchase college supplies, and begin rebuilding a sense of stability as they continue their studies. Your kindness has made a real, immediate difference in their lives.

We have raised $3980.97 because of your generosity! Students have received two checks as of yesterday (4/22/26). Every penny donated is going directly to the students.

With just one week remaining, we are reaching out one last time to ask for your continued support. Every contribution -and share of this post—helps strengthen the foundation these students need to finish the school year and move forward with confidence.

If you’ve already donated, please accept our sincere gratitude. If you’re able to donate and/or share the campaign, it would mean so much during this final week.

Thank you for showing our students what a strong, compassionate community can do.

Help 4G&TB reach their goal by donating or sharing with your friends.

04/15/2026

You can make a difference!

https://www.4gandtb.com/fire-disaster-relief---jjc-agricultural-students

Four students from Joliet Junior College survived a house fire on Monday April 12th. A fire that took everything.
The college is doing an amazing job of supporting these students, but we want to offer the creature comforts. Did you enjoy your Starbie's latte this morning? Did you use your favorite shampoo? How about that perfect pair of jeans? Do you remember being a college student with your favorite pen or notebook? And what about that drink cup you carry everywhere with you?

If you are in the position to donate, please do! If you can't donate, please share this post. Every share and like means these students get a small piece of their lives back.

We will donate every dollar to the students. They will receive your full support.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions.

I realize this is not our typical dog training/trial post. But if we aren't supporting our future, we don't have dog sports. JJC has been a special place in our lives for many years. If you've attended our trials, many of them are graciously hosted by JJC. We can show up - and we can demonstrate the community 4G has spent years building.

UPDATE: As of 5:30pm tonight, you all have donated almost $1500. We rounded up and sent each student a check for $500.
This won't bring back missing class notes. It won't replace a first car. We can't even bring peace to these students. But they can buy new bedding and replace their shoes. They can find a new favorite sweatshirt. And they can know they are surrounded by people who care.
We will continue to write checks directly to the students as funds come in.