90 young dog handlers with their pets participated in the "Controlled Dog" competition at the city zoo center "Nadezhda."

      90 Nizhny Novgorod residents, students of the "Young Dog Handler" club aged 9 to 17, participated with their pets in the "Controlled Dog" competition at the city zoo center "Nadezhda." This was reported by the Department of Social Policy of the Nizhny Novgorod Administration. The competitions took place simultaneously in two rings and were divided into six classes: "puppies," "debut," "beginners," "intermediate," "adults," and "progress." The kids demonstrated their skills in interacting with dogs, which went through an obstacle course and performed obedience tasks. According to the director of the Department of Social Policy, Galina Gurenko, activities in the "Young Dog Handler" club play an important role in the upbringing of the younger generation. "We see how, thanks to canine sports, children become more focused, self-confident, and learn to care for those they have tamed. This is a contribution to raising a responsible and kind generation," she emphasized. The head of the canine department, Svetlana Burkina, reminded that free classes for children are available at specially equipped sites in all districts of Nizhny Novgorod, as well as in Kstovo. Here, children are taught not only the basics of canine sports but also proper care for their four-legged pets. As noted by the department specialists, experienced canine instructors carefully evaluated the participants' performances. For beginners, the event concluded with the awarding of their first important documents – the "Young Dog Handler" certification books. At the end of the competitions, winners and prizewinners were awarded cups and medals. Here are the names of the best in their classes: class "puppies": 1st place - Karabanova Alexandra and border collie Gerda; 2nd place - Umyarova Arina and border collie Blaze; 3rd place - Kokryatskaya Vasilisa and border collie Vella. class "debut": 1st place - Bakhmutina Sofia and German spitz Karina; 2nd place - Shmeleva Alena and mixed breed Akira; 3rd place - Terentyeva Maria and mixed breed Busya. class "beginners": 1st place - Korotkova Varvara and East European shepherd Zara; 2nd place - Dorogonko Yulia and Jack Russell Terrier Bonya; 3rd place - Rybkova Milana and King Charles Spaniel Richard. class "intermediate": 1st place - Zhuleva Lilia and Amstaff Terrier Ron; 2nd place - Matrosova Victoria and Yorkshire Terrier Monica; 3rd place - Bardina Elizaveta and Ca de Bou Pascal. class "adults": 1st place - Kozhenkova Maria and pit bull Betty; 2nd place - Romanycheva Anastasia and Papillon Fifi; 3rd place - Murashova Darya and mixed breed Shella. class "progress": 1st place - Umyarova Arina and East European shepherd Sarmat; 2nd place - Zubova Eva and mixed breed Rex; 3rd place - Moiseeva Anna and King Charles Spaniel Tim. We remind you that new support measures for homeless animal shelters have been implemented in Nizhny Novgorod by the decision of Mayor Yuri Shalabaev.