APDT Newsletter Building Better Trainers Through Education Issue 83 - Autumn 2012

Inside this issue: Presenting...... SQUID! by Pat Miller 2011 APDT Annual Conference So, every Tuesday I go to the Humane Society of Washington • 2011 Susan Wilkins Achievement Award 6 County to do behavior assessments for adoption dogs, and every • 2011 APDT Trainer of the Year 7 week I manage to resist some wonderful faces and personalities. We • 2011 Black Dog Wear and APDT Award 8 even play an “if” game at the end of assessments…Teasing • 2011 Conference Photos 20 ourselves a little we ask each other, “If you had to adopt one of the Articles: dogs we assessed today, which one would it be?” • Presenting...... Squid! 1, 5 I’m pretty safe playing this game—we have five dogs in the family, • APDT Member Profile 10, 11 with no intentions of adding another permanent canine resident. Five • Why Pet Owners Don’t Always... 12-16 is our limit. However, that doesn’t preclude an occasional temporary • A Review of Behavioral Assessments 23-31 addition. Hence, Squid. An 8-week-old Jack Russell/Chihuahua mix. • Australian Legislation—VIC 17-19, 31 Three weeks ago we started to assess Squid. He had already failed • Create a Motivating Toy 32 his assessment once for being ferociously • Dog Swim Inspiration 33 mouthy, and they wanted a second opinion • C.L.A.S.S. for Dogs 35 (mine). We started to assess, but his • From the Library Shelf: RallyO 36 snuffling and sneezing convinced me he • March is Polite Pets Month 40 might have a little upper respiratory infection, so he went into isolation kennels Information for Members: for treatment for two weeks. • 2012 General Meeting Dates 2 • 2012 GM Agenda 3 (Continued on page 5) Squid: Terminally cute • Meet New Committee Member 4 • Meet New Regional Representative 16 • New Book: Wonderdogs 22 For quick updates on the APDT • Noticeboard 34 Conference, events and doggy news: • Tips on Managing Your Membership 39

In Every Issue: • Editorial 2 APDT Annual Conference 2012 • Committee 11/12 2 • Your Regional Representatives 2 26—28 October 2012 • Mission & Vision Statements 2 • Membership fees 2 • President’s Message 3-4 Bankstown Sports Club, Sydney • Aims & Objectives 3 Featuring • Code of Ethics 3 • APDT Merchandise 37 Dr Sophia Yin Pat Miller • APDT Advertising Policy 38 • Legal Things 38 • Chatlist Rules 38 • APDT Website & Chat list 38 • Library (Please read updated rules) 38

Association of Pet Dog Trainers Australia Incorporated ARBN 088 866 522 ABN 85088866522 PO Box 3122 BANKSTOWN SQUARE NSW 2200 W: www.apdt.com.au

Committee 2011 / 2012 Editorial President: Louise Ginman [email protected] Presenting...Squid! opens the APDT newsletter and is just one of the Vice-President: Alexis Davison fun articles which can be found on Pat Miller’s website [email protected] www.peaceablepaws.com . Pat will be here later in the year for the Secretary: annual conference but in the mean time take the time to look at her Fiona Cheyne-Macpherson [email protected] website and also the website of Dr Sophia Yin www.drsophiayin.com . Treasurer: Both sites have useful resources and factsheets which can be Lyn Hynds downloaded. You will find a factsheet from Dr Yin’s website on page 40. [email protected] Please take the time to read through Tips For Managing Your Publicity: Vacant Membership (page 39). There are small but significant changes to [email protected] membership procedures. Certainly the biggest change in recent years Librarian: has been renewing membership through the APDT website. Although Jacky Walker 2 Lowing Close this is not always easy for the individual user, the overall process saves Forestville NSW 2087 an enormous amount of time for the organisation. If you have a [email protected] question about the membership process please contact On Q Regional Rep Co-ordinator: Alexis Davison: [email protected] Conference Support who now manages APDT memberships. Education: After the annual conference I try to read through the topics members Sue Bailey: [email protected] suggest via the evaluation process. The suggestions help fine-tune the Louise Ginman: [email protected] Sandra Sullivan: [email protected] search for items to use in the newsletter. One suggested topic was How Fiona Cheyne-Macpherson (see above) do I motivate my dog? or How can I encourage my dog to engage in Jacki King: [email protected] dog sports? The search for articles on this topic lead me to Susan 2012 Conference: Conference Co-ordinator: Garrett’s website. I enjoyed being distracted by her blog and for those Sue Bailey interested, Susan also has a post for those people who have encounted Trade Show Co-ordinator: Lyn Hynds or live with a Wild Crazy Dog! - No Awards Subcommittee Chair: motivation needed. Jacky Walker Some of you may also notice I have been ACAC Representative: Sandra Sullivan distracted by Bull Dogs in this issue. Some APDT Spokesperson: Louise Ginman ______of the dog photos people post on the internet are just too cute. Editor: Jennifer Frede [email protected] Jennifer Frede Printer: Union Offset Printers, Editor Fyshwick ACT, Australia APDT produces four issues of the APDT Newsletter annually: APDT Membership is valid for 1 year from July 1st Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring each year. Membership fees are: $55 Full membership; $45 Associate Membership The newsletter is available at the beginning of: December, March, June and September Overseas members who wish to receive a hardcopy of the newsletter will be required to pay an additional $30 Deadline for contributions to be included in Issue 84, Winter 2012 postage. 1st May 2012

General Meetings of the Association Your Regional Representatives Members are invited to attend General Meetings of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers Australia, held quarterly on the first Friday of the month. The agenda for the meeting is published in the Regional Rep Co-ordinator: newsletter circulated prior to the meeting, along with proxy/postal voting forms, when there are Alexis Davison motions to be voted on. SA: Deb Millikan 2012 General Meetings: 2 March 2012, 6 July 2012, 7 December 2012 [email protected] AGM to held at the APDT Annual Conference, 26 October 2012 VIC: Adriana Milne [email protected] If you would like to host an APDT event in your area, please forward your request in WA: Georgia Karajas writing to your Regional Representative, Regional Rep Co0ordinator or the [email protected] committee . Contact details for all Regional Representatives are listed to the left. TAS: Moire Keefe [email protected] NT: Peta Clarke [email protected] MISSION STATEMENT NEW ZEALAND: Susie Londer The Mission of the APDT is to enhance the human-dog relationship by educating trainers, other [email protected] animal professionals and the public, and advocating dog friendly training. NSW: Janene Branc [email protected] QLD: Hilary Paull VISION STATEMENT [email protected] All dogs are effectively trained through dog-friendly techniques and therefore are lifelong ACT: Vacant companions in a relationship based on mutual trust and respect. [email protected]

2 APDT Australia Newsletter Issue 83 - Autumn 2012

From the President APDT General Meeting Friday, 2nd March 2012 Welcome to our Autumn Edition of the Newsletter. You may have noticed that 7.30pm you now receive four editions per year of the newsletter instead of six Rhodes Community Hall editions. The four editions will be larger 63 Blaxland Rd, Rhodes, Sydney and packed with information plus in addition we hope to send you e- newsletters with important information or updates in between the arrival of AGENDA your hardcopy newsletter. The Meeting Open newsletters will hopefully arrive in your Apologies letterboxes the first week of each new Minutes of last GM and business arising season. Speaking of the newsletter, I Correspondence: am pleased to announce that Jennifer Frede has agreed to stay on as In/Out our newsletter editor although she has vacated her committee Business Arising position of Publicity Officer. We are seeking a suitable replacement Reports: to fill the vacancy. So if you have a flair for written communication and President are familiar with Publisher we need you to assist with our Newsletter Treasurer and e-newsletters. Committee is also seeking expressions of interest Education for a suitable member to join our education committee as a Media Library Officer. This is an important positive step for committee to take so Publicity that we can raise the profile of APDT in the media. For this reason, Sub committees we are seeking an experienced media officer. If you are interested in New Members and Rejoining Members either of the above mentioned roles please email me for a position Logo Licence Applications description . Business with due notice General Business March 2012 is Polite Pets Month which is an Australian Veterinary Behaviour Interest Group (AVBIG) initiative. Polite Pets Month was CODE OF ETHICS created to highlight the importance of understanding behavior in all As a member of APDT Australia Inc. I shall: species of pet. It is aimed at raising awareness about the importance • Perform services to the best of my ability within of dog training, puppy socialisation and dog bite prevention. APDT the guidelines of this Code of Ethics. • Employ only humane, dog-friendly techniques Member, Terry Theakstone, has provided us all with important in the training of dogs. information about Polite Pets Month and how we as trainers can get • Actively reject the use of harsh physical, involved and support this wonderful initiative (see page 40). psychological, coercive and aversive methods in the training of dogs (including the use of Research continues into online voting for future elections and electric shock collars and/or pinch/prong special resolutions. I have recently contacted several Australian and collars). • Make the welfare of the dog of primary US based companies to get quotes for online voting. Prices vary importance. greatly from several hundred US dollars to several thousand for a • Be honest and trustworthy. single election or vote. Committee is seeking to find a company that • Treat all dogs with respect. will handle the entire voting process to ensure total impartiality. You • Do no harm. • Promote responsible dog ownership. may be interested to know that only around 10% of the membership • Actively pursue ongoing education in order to voted at the last election in December 2011. We’d like to increase the provide a service based upon sound scientific percentage of members voting and hope that online voting will make principles and current best practice. • Promote a positive human/canine relationship the process easier and faster for you in the future. between owner and dog. (Continued on page 4) • Work at developing and applying positive methods of dog training. • Provide a service of the highest standard within the limit of my skill, knowledge and ability. AIMS & OBJECTIVES • Respect the confidentiality and privacy of clients. The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) Australia is a forum for trainers and anyone • Not advertise myself as a member of APDT involved with dogs to communicate and exchange ideas regarding training and behaviour. Australia Inc. without prior approval of the APDT Australia provides educational and networking opportunities including a newsletter, Association. sharing of resources such as videos and books, an annual conference and workshops. Our • Not represent myself as a spokesperson for annual conference features speakers who are experts in their fields. APDT Australia Inc. without prior approval of Building Better Trainers Through Education the Association.

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(Continued from page 3) This year, I will also be developing and seeking Committee approval for a series of guideline and We now have an almost full compliment of Regional policy documents outlining procedures and representatives (RRs). With our Vice President conduct of Committee activities for both the present Alexis Davison at the helm as the new Regional and future Committees. We belong to a large Representative Co-ordinator things are beginning to Association so I believe it is important that we have take shape. Alexis and I will be having bimonthly procedures and polices in place to ensure skype meetings with all of our RRs so that we are consistency and fairness and have a strong more actively involved and can brainstorm new foundation in place for undertaking any form of ideas together. Our RRs want to hear from members business whether that be elections, nomination in their area so be sure to email your local RR and process, conference/workshop organisation or just get involved in some of the regional initiatives that basic conduct. will be advertised in the future. A simple way to get Our conference program development is well involved is to join us and your local RR later this underway with topics from both primary presenters year when we attend a local dog related community Sophia Yin and Pat Miller currently being slotted event in each region. Details will follow when they into the program. You should get your first look at become available. Get involved right now by letting the program in the next edition of the newsetter—the us know what dog community events you would like Winter edition—or hopefully even earlier in the form to see APDT representation at in your State or of an e-newsletter. As with last year, we will need Territory. By attending community events, I hope to the help of our wonderful conference volunteers, the raise our membership from a fairly stagnant 700 Blue Heelers , to help make the conference come members up to 800 members by 31 st December this s together. Throughout the year, we may also need year and up to 1000 members by 31 December your assistance to get projects or initiatives off the 2013. I believe we can achieve these numbers by ground. Committee consists of only eight members simply letting the community know who we are and at present with two vacancies needing to be filled— what we do. We will be updating our APDT bringing Committee to a total of 10 members to brochures before attending these events so that we represent and work for approximately 700 members. have an information brochure targeted at dog We need to spread the workload and therefore need owners and an APDT application brochure targeted your help if we are to embark on new and exciting at dog trainers. initiatives in the future. This is your association, so I What else is new? We now have Alexis Davison hope to hear from you when we need a hand and and Peta Clarke as our new Facebook also to hear about your ideas. administrators . Till next edition ... Happy Training Administrator guidelines have now been written and approved by Committee so that all future administrators have clear guidelines as to what is Louise Ginman appropriate conduct on our APDT facebook page. President

Introducing New Committee Member: Sandra Sullivan

Thank you members of APDT for electing me to the Education Committee for 2012. I welcome this opportunity to work with other dedicated members of committee to advance the ideals of APDT. I am a retired librarian, with over 40 years experience of professional and dog world committees, and active participation in most areas of dog activities—flyball, agility, gun dog, obedience, rallyo (just starting at that) and breed showing, leading to multiple dog titles. I would like to involve more ordinary dog owners in these sports and APDT, with the aim of improving the lives of our dog companions.

Sandra, APDT Member 772, and Willow feeding the birds

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(Continued from page 1)

Last Thursday Squid came home with me to Peaceable Paws under the shelter’s “GOLD Paw” program . “GOLD” stands for—Giving Opportunity, Love and Direction and it’s the shelter’s behavioral foster care program. What I’ve discovered so far about Squid:- • He’s terminally cute. • He loves everyone (all species) and thinks everyone loves him. • At age 10-12 weeks he tries devilishly hard not to soil his puppy pen or his outdoor kennel. He doesn’t always succeed, but he tries really hard. • He is fearless. Resilient. Indomitable. Assertive. Nothing fazes him. He played with puppies three times his size Monday night, and never hesitated. • He is smart. He has learned to sit to make the kennel door open, and did his first verbal “down” yesterday. • He is fun. Loves to hike, play with toys, and fetches a tennis ball. • He is surprisingly non-vocal. Despite spending a fair amount of time by himself in his pen and/or his kennel, he isn’t barking much—only when he gets excited because he realizes someone is coming to see him. • And yes, he is a little mouthy. Not half as bad as Maggie-the- Westie-puppy who was abandoned in a crate in our driveway last year, but yes, he does need to learn to inhibit his bite a little. And Helping Lucy fetch her stick (very bold as Lucy does to stop using his mouth to get what he wants. not share well)

So he’s actually a pretty fun project, and I’m hoping a pretty easy one. I’ve started counter conditioning his resistance to restraint and can already pick him up without any dental protest on his part. Amazing what a little “associate *that* with high value treats” can do! Actually, not all that amazing, I pretty much expected it to work, although maybe not this quickly. Next is teaching him that having someone look at his teeth is also a reliable predictor of really yummy stuff. I expect that to go quickly as well. I’d love to hear what kind of pup you think he is, from his pictures, and my description of his personality. I see the Jack Russell, but I’m not seeing Chihuahua. Maybe all Jack?

A rare, brief moment of relaxation... This is more in character...

I’m thinking he’s a great candidate for flyball, and since the flyball class meets here tonight, I may just have to go out and introduce him, and troll for some prospective adopters. Where is Squid Now? He was adopted by a marvellous woman who lives in New York City and trains with an excellent positive trainer. He has met several celebrities (including Catherine Zeta-Jones) and has quite a following. She still calls him Squid. Warm Woofs and Happy Training Pat Miller

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The Susan Wilkins Achievement Award 2011 Sponsored by Marsh Insurance

Name: Marika Bell The experience left me with an excitement for Award: Susan Wilkins Achievement Award communicating with other species well enough that Year Won: 2011 you could convince them to demonstrate learned behaviours without force or coercion (necessary Member Number: 1595 when the animal is behind a safety fence)! Country: New Zealand To start my dog training career I took a certification Dogs: 2 program from Animal Behaviour College, as a part of W: www.dancingdogs.co.nz that program I was required to help train dogs in a Photo: Marika with her GS cross, Ripley and her shelter environment. That is when I realised where I Lancashire Heeler, Cooper could be of the most help. We all know that more It is important to remember how we used to train and dogs are euthanized every year because of realise that even then, we thought we knew what behavioural issues than any physical illness alone. was right, so never take anything for granted and We can all make so much difference, even to one always keep asking questions. life, by helping dogs find and stay in a loving home. The other experience that has made a significant difference to my training style and my focus on positive and relationship based training has been my avid reading of any book on dog behaviour, history, health and training I could find. In particular Suzanne Clothier's book, If Dogs Prayers Were Answered, Bones Would Rain from the Sky . I encourage everyone to read as much as they can and always keep their mind open to new ideas. I also encourage all of you to adopt an adolescent or adult shelter dog at least once yourself. I think you will be amazed at how much they have to teach us about training and there are some lessons I would Winning the Susan Wilkins Achievement Award was never have learned except for my messed up, very special success for me as it gave me a chance honest, big-headed, piggy-eyed, beautiful, Ripley. to promote working with shelter dogs and with the families who adopt them, to other trainers. Everyone who congratulated me at the conference got an earful about how rewarding and important it is to work with dogs in need and to see those dogs stay in their new life-long loving homes. I encourage every one of you to make yourselves available to your local shelter and help in any way you can. Even if you simply help with fundraising, cleaning, or maybe even training the dogs in good manners so that they are more adoptable. My first training position was working with a Puma named Tum-Tum at a Big Cat sanctuary in Washington State. Marika S. Bell—BS(zool), ABCDT, CPDT www.facebook.com/DancingDogs

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APDT Trainer of the Year 2011 Sponsored by Akuna Care

Name: Sandra Sullivan I changed breeds too! Pekinese are very smart, but Award: APDT Trainer of the Year not designed for dog sports! I have owned three Year Won: 2011 German Shorthaired Pointers since 1974 (only one at a time) and have competed successfully in Breed Member Number: 772 Showing, Gundog Obedience, Non-Slip Retrieving Country: Australia Trials, Flyball, Agility, ordinary Obedience and now Dogs: 1 x German Shorthaired Pointer, Willow have started in Rally-O. My greatest regret is that I Photo: Sandra with Willow did not know enough about dog behaviour with my I acquired my first three dogs the way most people first two GSPs. I remember with horror some of my did in the 1950s and 1960s—they were strays who early training days using check chains and "followed me home" (it seemed a different world correction, not just with my own dogs, but all the then—there were always stray dogs in the street). handlers I instructed to use those same methods. I joined Sydney All Breeds Dog Training Club with The change to positive training methods occurred the two stray Pekingese in 1967, and started before I acquired my latest GSP Willow (Australian instructing the following year, with just minimal in- Flyball Champion Fenrik Solar Eclipse CD AD JDX), club training. One concern was that I could not who, despite being full on energy, has never compete in obedience trials since my dogs were not required a correction. I see on a daily basis the registered with the Canine Council, and I eagerness to offer behaviours and work with me campaigned (with many others) to change this when there is no fear of a reprimand. situation. In 1974 I was Trial Manager for the first My membership of APDT has provided me with an RSPCA trial for such "unregistered" dogs, and this incredible stream of information on animal eventually led to the changes which, in NSW, allow behaviour, which is utilised in pet dog classes at our all breeds and crossbreeds to compete together in club. The contrast with the old, competition based obedience, agility, flyball, herding, endurance etc. curriculum which emphasised precision heeling, That's the other great change since the 1960s—the straight sits etc for every handler, regardless of their range of activities we can share with our interest or usefulness, and now, classes based on companions. I'd like to promote these more with the the needs of everyday pet owners is another great general dog owning public to enhance their change in dog training classes. partnership with their dogs. I urge all members to make the most use of the When I started to instruct I knew immediately that wonderful association we have joined. There is such this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life— a great range of resources available, and the and so I have. Every Saturday since 1968, firstly company of like minded people is a great comfort! with Sydney All Breeds, and then after 1974 with five colleagues we founded Western Suburbs Dog Training Club. There are many other volunteer instructors like me who have kept the dog training clubs running all over Australia. I hope we can continue to attract a new generation of volunteers. Like everyone else, we used check chains and correction (although I endured the ridicule of other instructors when I suggested to handlers that they used little pieces of cheese to encourage their dogs to sit faster at home!). I still remember the incredible impact of my first APDT conference with Ian Dunbar—to use that hackneyed phrase "the scales fell from my eyes". With the guidance of Susan Photo of Sandra and Willow by Pinnicle Wilkins, Sue Bailey, Sine Cheyne-Macpherson we changed Western Suburbs DTC to positive training methods. Sandra Sullivan

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APDT and Black Dog Wear Scholarship 2011 Sponsored by Black Dog Wear

Name: Dayna Veraguth My hobby of self-taught dog training began and so Award: APDT and Black Dog Wear Scholarship too the discovery of alternative information...positive reinforcement dog training. I knew that being with Year Won: 2011 dogs was my passion but it was from here on in that Member Number: 1143 spending time and putting into practice anything and Country: Australia everything I learnt with Buster and the other canine Dogs: none...at the moment. members of our family that it became an essential W: www.dogcamp.com.au complement to my adolescent, university and later E: [email protected] working years of life, as necessary as breathing. Photo below: Dayna with Buster, 2011 During high school I worked for a number of years as a volunteer at the local animal shelter (dogs, cats and horses). Later, I was employed at Sydney's First Dog Daycare Centre. I began my professional Dog Training career working as a puppy class assistant at the RSPCA with Wag School Dog Training. During this time I also completed the Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services administered by the Delta Society and as a direct result was and am still today mentored by a number of brilliant trainers, including service dog trainer, not to mention, All- Things-Dog Trainer, Dianna Cooper, of which the knowledge and practical skills I acquired and that continue to be imparted to me I utilise daily not only when working with dogs but also at Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick when working with the children and young adults in my part-time job in the Department of Play and Music Therapy. I live in Sydney but visit the mountains and country more regularly than is convenient. I own more bikes Although my undergraduate university degree than cars and would love to have more dogs than (Bachelor of Applied bikes. Science: Leisure and Health) was not directly Ever since I can remember I have always been related to dogs I managed infected with the “dog bug”. At age 13 I was finally to incorporate it with the allowed to get a dog of my own. After only a few approval of Sydney months of attending the local dog club, Buster and I University. Instead of became a statistic...we were the drop outs . This undertaking a traditional was the culmination of a dog that did not appreciate final year placement I set the same up close and personal contact that the Competent K9 client and Bear up a business, Competent other dogs revelled in, a traditional dog training club K9 . A decision that some and a teenager who after one too many alpha rolls described as “stupid” and others as “bold”, was not going back for more. Competent K9 is dedicated to delivering learning and leisure experiences for pet dog owners and dog enthusiasts. I am a strong believer in the therapeutic value of pets and know firsthand the strength, power and importance of the connection that is possible between a person and a dog. I regularly reflect on how fortunate I was to have had Buster share the greater part of my life to date. Also without him my

Buster—8 months (Continued on page 9)

8 APDT Australia Newsletter Issue 83 - Autumn 2012

(Continued from page 8) from my learning. As an industry we’re all educators and as people we all require and thrive on education. Those that are daunted by the sound of the product (podcast)...try not to be and I will work on bringing you around. After all my goal is to make a product that is useful not only to Pet Dog Owners but also to Trainers who, in many instances are the only link that pet dogs have to the world outside of their owner’s views, beliefs or as it just may so happen to be, information their owners have Buster (Terrier X) and fellow household buddy, Chad’ (Wire Haired Dachshund X) obtained from a Google search. I look forward to the journey ahead. If I haven’t intrigue of animal behaviour and fascination in already been in direct contact with you stay tuned as understanding it would be much more limited. Buster passed away last year. Until I return from the US the this product is for all members hence your input is plan is to hold off on getting another dog (...I’m not highly valued. Alternatively, feel free to contact me holding my breath on how successful that plan will via email at anytime. be).

I am a great advocate of education and its transformative effects. Being awarded the APDT

Black Dog Wear Scholarship is an amazing opportunity and I want you all to be able to learn Dayna Veraguth

What is the best thing you have taught a dog? Teaching my Terrier to speak, initially without an off cue …failures can be the best teachers. What is the best fun activity to do with your dog in your opinion? Camping...Dog/s + people + car ride + water + dirt/sand = one exhausted, content dog What is the best training technique you use? For people...Video footage—Athletes, Actors, Dancers, Singers all film themselves as a means of enhancing the outcome…why not pet dog owners?…and Trainers? What is your proudest training moment? I was out walking my dog and without luring or prompting he saw another dog, looked at me, took another glimpse at the dog and continued in his stride...I could hardly contain my excitement. What advice would you give to someone wanting to start in the dog training field? Reading theory and working with your own dog/s will only give you so much. The more different dogs you have experience with the better. Watch and learn from those who already know what they’re doing. Identify your passion…the dogs?…the owners? or both then channel your work to suit who you are. What is the best way for someone in this line of work to work with animals? The ability to identify and avoid stress in dogs and model and teach the importance of this to others. What do your family and friends think about you working with dogs? Crazy but are encouraging at the same time. I think when most people heard I was going to continue pursuing the business after I graduated from my undergraduate degree thought I was taking a “break” after university rather than starting a real business. The hardest thing about pursuing a dream is that it isn’t convenient. Sometimes I think it would be more convenient to have it sitting on a shelf, to be looked at from a distance. ...But then I know I would always be wondering, “What if?”. Buster, 2006

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APDT Member Profile Jade Fountain, member number 1442, Tasmania

How long have you been working with dogs? What is the best thing you have taught a dog? I've been working with dogs professionally for eight Working with a dog who was listed as unadoptable years. I started working in Shelters before pursuing and teaching him to paint while in the shelter. The a passion in understanding dog behaviour. My dad result of the training and paintings which were hung was a dog trainer when I was younger and it was on the outside of his kennel cage was great to have that guidance growing up and always reclassification to a “family suitable” dog, a spot on a have dogs around. I’ve been lucky enough to work TV commercial and a forever home. That was a with a lot of other species in my career so far, but I really great outcome that solidified for me how will always say dogs are my favourite! important giving dogs a purpose, guidance in What is your most recent dog memory? behaviour and showing them what the appropriate The look on my dog’s face when I returned home response in context really is. from being away in the US. I haven’t seen her tail What is the proudest moment in your dog wag so hard before! career? What is your favourite breed of dog? The moments I have been able to share with my I absolutely love wolfhounds. I grew up with cattle mentor trainers and knowing that they are there to dogs and love them as well. support me. What is your best moment with a dog? Why did you join APDT? Any moment I share with To network with like minded trainers in the my dog, Ferren, is pretty profession, be involved with an organisation that special. If I pointed out one supports science-based animal training and thing I would take every harnesses information from speakers at the annual other moment for granted! conferences with a wealth of knowledge! If I could pinpoint any it What books have had a lasting impression on would be watching the you? sunrise with my childhood How Dogs Learn by Mary Burch and Jon Bailey, and dog, Fizz. Don't Shoot the Dog were the first two books I What is the best enrichment device/activity/fun picked up when I was a kid. thing to do with your dog in your opinion? The Parrot’s Lament and The Octopus and the I always think of KONG as a first choice for provision Orangutan by Eugene Linden motivated me to of enrichment . It is exciting that there are so many understand animal cognition and pursue study in interactive toys on the market now. Having worked animal behaviour. in the zoo I understand how important enrichment is Where did you grow up? for any species and as part of behavioural I grew up in Canberra, Australia. management. Training sessions , teaching new behaviours and scent games are so good for giving What was your dog career path? your dogs mind a healthy work out and giving them My first experiences with dogs started at the RSPCA a purpose. and shelter work continued for several years, before I went to work as a zookeeper. My background has What is the best training technique you use? involved working with many different species and Reinforcement based training with rewards suited to appreciating how other animals respond to people. I the individual animal. I always follow science-based studied zoology and psychology at University, both principles which are humane and rewarding. in Australia and the USA after completing several What is your proudest training moment? certificates in animal care at TAFE. I have since When I started working with other species at the been extremely lucky to live in and travel the USA zoo, I trained Greater Bilbies to station on scales going to numerous for weight records. I achieved the goal faster than conferences and expected and within five weeks we had never seen listening to some of the such a positive change in their behaviour and body most influential animal condition. The training sessions made such a and dog behaviour difference to the wellbeing of those animals and speakers in the boosted their confidence. (Continued on page 11)

10 APDT Australia Newsletter Issue 83 - Autumn 2012

(Continued from page 10) What dog study have you done to do? I'm currently completing coursework for Karen profession. I wouldn’t be where I am today without Pryor Academy of Animal Training and the support of some very amazing mentors and a lot Behaviour . I’ve undertaken two workshops with of passion. I’d definitely have to go back and thank Steve Martin training parrots, a training workshop at people like Peta Clarke and Steve Martin. Disney Animal Kingdom, Living and Learning with What advice would you give to someone wanting Parrots (Behaviour Works) and over 700 hours of to start in the dog training field? seminars and conferences in animal behaviour and With the right skills you can make a huge difference training. I intend to take courses with Kay Laurence to the lives of countless animals. Learn how to train and Susan Friedman in the near future. species other than dogs and you will become more Why positive training techniques? observant, more efficient and better understand how I use science-based training techniques and think it empowering animals can improve your skills. Get to is important to understand how we change every seminar of every professional in the field to behaviour and influence animal’s responses. I want learn different viewpoints and ideas—no matter who a technique that empowers the animal and allows you are listening to, you can be open to new ways of them to have choice. Positive training techniques thinking. are extremely effective for working with any species What is the best way for someone in this line of of animal and do not create any fear. work to help animals/ work with animals? Tell us something interesting about yourself Seek out every learning opportunity that you can find I’m a zookeeper and and be open to knowledge from a range of sources. behavioural trainer and run Tell us about your pets. my own behaviour I have a wolfhound called Ferren, a flock of consultancy business, chickens, two horses, two pythons and a guinea pig. Animal Behaviour Matters . I enjoy training all of my pets with behaviours that I started out working for reduce stress in day to day life. Zoos Victoria and most recently have been working for the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program in Tasmania. I am very passionate about making a difference to animal welfare through behavioural management and training for both pet owners and captive zoo institutions. I am very passionate about conservation issues for wildlife and helping spread awareness through education. Is there something else you would like to share with your fellow APDT members? Get out there and learn something new today! And My old dog Fizz who I lost earlier last year was hug your dog. instrumental in teaching me how to train dogs. I wouldn’t know anything about behaviour without the help of Fizz and Ferren over the years! I’m grateful for all of the behaviour problems they let me help solve!

Velma's Pets As Therapy Volunteer dog trainers needed to train pets as therapy dogs at: Hornsby, Sydney on the fourth Sunday each month from 10.30am—12.30pm. Also: Central Coast, NSW & Melbourne, Vic. Training given to dog trainers with a sound knowledge of positive reinforcement. Ph: Velma (02) 9418 4343 W: www.velmaspetsastherapy.com.au

Issue 83 - Autumn 2012 11

Why pet owners don’t always do the right thing by Vanessa Rohlf, Monash University

Abstract Evidence shows, however, that there is no simple dichotomy between irresponsible and responsible Companion animal management behaviours are owners. There are many responsible owners who typically enforced through local government sometimes do the wrong thing. These non compliant regulations, and it is the task of Animal Management behaviours may be inadvertent. For instance, Officers (AMOs) to ensure that owners within their owners may be unable to locate their cat in order to municipality comply with these regulations. While comply with night time confinement laws, or dogs most pet owners comply with animal management may escape from their property through no fault of regulations, there is a minority of owners who, for a the owner. Non-compliant behaviours may also be number of reasons, are not compliant. It is this acts of deliberate noncompliance. subset of people that AMOs must engage with on a daily basis. Understanding the psychological basis A recent survey conducted in Melbourne found that, of non-compliance is the first step towards even in a sample of committed dog owners, 2% did encouraging proactive change. By applying not confine their dog to their property and a further information gained from literature reviews and 10% did not register their dog (Rohlf, Bennett, research papers, centered on human-animal Toukhsati, & Coleman, 2009). interaction research, and theories of deviance and Clearly, if the distinction between irresponsible and civil disobedience, this paper will assist AMO’s in responsible owners is more complex than a simple gaining a better idea of why pet owners do the dichotomy, a greater understanding of the factors things they do. underlying pet owner regulatory behaviour is necessary if compliance is to be achieved. Background Pet ownership is a common practice in Australia with approximately 53% of households owning at least Deterrence theory—the traditional view of regulatory one cat or dog (Australian Companion Animal compliance Council, 2006). While the practice affords social and health benefits to owners and the broader According to the traditional view of regulatory community, there are numerous disadvantages compliance, people weigh up the costs and benefits associated with having such a large pet population. of their actions. They balance the cost and benefits For example, stray cats and dogs may cause car of compliance with the costs and benefi ts of non- accidents and harm or kill other animals including compliance when deciding whether to comply with livestock and wildlife. Since many of these problems regulations. Based on this calculation, people are the result of owners’ mismanagement, choose the action that has the higher net return regulations are necessary to control owners and (Sutinen & Kuperan, 1999; Winter & May, 2001). their animals in order to promote the welfare of the This traditional perspective underlies the current community. legislative environment, where enforcement and deterrence through fines are designed to alter a In order for these regulations to be effective, person’s calculated cost benefit ratio. This calculus compliance must be achieved. Non-compliant pet is affected by the likelihood of detection (frequency owners are often assumed to be irresponsible of inspection) and by the certainty and size of the owners. A dichotomy is drawn between irresponsible sanctions imposed (Winter & May, 2001). owners, who always do the wrong thing, and responsible owners, who always do the right thing. This is especially the case within the Animal Based on this dichotomy, understanding why pet Management arena. For example, pet owners are owners do the wrong thing is simple. Irresponsible fined if they are found to own an unregistered dog or owners do the wrong thing because they are cat. Additionally, compliance is induced by the blatantly disobedient to authority and have little presence of various incentives, such as low cost respect for the welfare of others while responsible registration for microchipped pets. Based on these owners do the right thing because they value and regulatory controls, compliance is achieved if the uphold the law, care for pets under their care and chances of getting caught are perceived to be high value promoting the welfare of the community. and if the punishment is severe enough to offset the Accordingly, achieving compliance appears to be benefits of noncompliance. relatively straightforward—punish the bad owners and reward the good owners. (Continued on page 13)

12 APDT Australia Newsletter Issue 83 - Autumn 2012

(Continued from page 12) get caught you may incur a fi ne of $80. Economically speaking you’re still in front by $120! Deterrence theory is sufficient so far as it can In light of these reasons, if the traditional view of explain a number of compliant and non-compliant compliance were true than it is probably more of a behaviours. There is no doubt that there are people mystery why pet owners comply with any animal who do not comply with animal management regulations at all. The traditional perspective of regulations because they are not sufficiently compliance behaviour of people weighing up deterred from the behaviour. Van de Kuyt’s (2004) personal gains and losses is therefore inadequate in survey on compliance with dog and cat confinement explaining these behaviours. in Melbourne revealed that one of the reasons why people did not confine their dog or cat was because they believed that council did not enforce dog How do psychologists explain compliance? confinement requirements. Evidence also suggests that people comply with regulations if they believe When psychologists study compliance they find that that the likelihood of getting caught is high. Van de people in general are surprisingly obedient. They will Kuyt’s (2004) survey also revealed that the more often comply with a request even when there is frequently cat owners reported seeing animal nothing for them to gain. Telemarketers and door to management officer patrols in the streets, the less door sales people rely on this aspect of human likely they were to report that they would purposely nature. If people weren’t so compliant these jobs let their cat out for exercise. would not exist. The fi eld of Social Psychology is abounding with many examples where people There are, however, various shortcomings comply with requests even to the extent that doing associated with using the traditional deterrence do causes them distress. This was demonstrated by theory to explain pet owner compliance. Pet owners a famous and somewhat disturbing study conducted are remarkably compliant. For example, according to by Stanley Milgram in 1974 (Comer & Gould, 2010). an Australian survey, 91% of dog owners reported He found that two thirds of his participants would that they comply with dog leash laws (Headey, obey a researcher to inflict electric shocks to a 2006). person, even against that person’s will. Clearly, not These high rates of compliance cannot be fully all people are compliant and there is a great deal of accounted for by a traditional view of compliance. variability between people and their levels of There are four reasons as to why this is the case. compliance. Psychologists interested in these social First, the likelihood of being caught disobeying phenomena have found a number of variables which animal management regulations is quite low. influence levels of compliance. These variables are Ensuring 100% compliance for registration would particularly relevant for explaining why pet owners require that AMO’s door knock every single home in sometimes do the wrong thing as well as why they, their municipality and check for the presence of a so often, do the right thing. The factors influencing dog or cat. Even if councils could afford such an compliance include: knowledge and skills, undertaking, proving that the dog or cat actually perceptions of legitimacy, and social norms. belongs to the householder and that they are simply not minding someone else’s pet would be difficult. Knowledge and skills Second, even if pet owners are caught disobeying An important factor underlying compliance with animal management regulations, the chances of regulations is knowledge. Accordingly, people are being fined for noncompliance are low. According to more likely to obey regulations if they have a clear Cutt, Giles-Corti and Adams (2006), AMO’s typically idea of exactly what the regulations are. let owners off with a warning rather than giving them The current situation of companion animal a fi ne for first offences. A third reason for the management, however, is set up in a way which inadequacy of the deterrence theory is that may create confusion amongst well meaning pet compliance with many of the animal management owners. As we all know, in Australia, local regulations actually incurs a cost to the animal governments are empowered by State government owners. For example, confinement of cats may to regulate and enforce companion dog mean purchasing expensive cat enclosures. Fourth, management. Empowering local governments with punishments via fines are not usually severe enough the ability to manage companion dog ownership has to outweigh the benefits not registering. To illustrate, the benefit of local laws being able to reflect a if you own a 5 year old desexed dog and live in an region’s unique issues. For example, variation in area where registration of this dog costs $40 housing density may impact the number of dogs annually, and you get away with not registering him able to be kept per property, so having local laws to or her for 5 years you will have saved $200. If you (Continued on page 14)

Issue 83 - Autumn 2012 13

(Continued from page 13) Social influence A second important factor determining compliance is reflect differences in urban, versus rural areas is fair the influence of others. For many of us, there is an (i.e., owners living in rural areas may be able to inherent desire to earn the approval of others. keep more dogs than owners living in inner city or urban areas). Variations in dog management People do this by conforming to norms. Norms are between states and local government, however, the behavioural expectations of a social group. results in a great deal of variation between local Failure to conform to social norms can often result in governments. For example, while all local negative consequences for the transgressor from governments require owners to register their dog(s) the group. These sanctions can range from subtle with a municipal council, some require yearly forms, such as sideways glances or withholding of renewal of registrations while others require lifetime favours, to verbal or even physical punishment registrations. Such variation may result in confusion which may ultimately result in ostracism from the among dog owners as to their civil responsibilities, group (Sutinen & Kuperan, 1999). Norms have been which may especially be the case for pet owners found to influence a variety of civic behaviours who frequently move between localities. Some pet including littering (Kallgren, Reno, & Cialdini, 2000), owners may therefore do the wrong thing simply recycling (Schultz, 1999) and parking violations because they do not know what the right thing is. (Adams & Webley, 1996). For example, only 30% of cat owners know that it is Norms influence regulatory behaviour is a number of illegal for their cat to wander onto someone else’s ways. The degree to which people will comply with property without permission (Van de Kuyt, 2004). In regulations depends on whether people think others another study, Hammond (2003) found that 20% of comply, whether they see others comply and respondents to a Townsville based survey were not whether they believe others approve of their aware of any requirements for stray or wandering compliance. It must be acknowledged, therefore, dogs. Ensuring pet owners are equipped with that the influence of norms on behaviour can be a appropriate and clear guidelines as to what the double edged sword when it comes to compliance. regulations are within their municipality is therefore Depending on the social group pet owners subscribe an important means to addressing issues with to, norms can either induce compliance or noncompliance. This may include erecting signs or obstruct it. the production and distribution of responsible pet Normative influences on pet owner regulatory ownership brochures. behaviour have not been extensively researched but Even if pet owners know what the right thing to do is, available evidence suggests that they do exist, they may still be unable to comply if they lack the especially for dog owners. Many AMO’s are aware necessary skills. Consider nuisance barking for of this fact. Interviews with AMO’s reveal that there example. Barking is a major management issue. A are strong norms operating within dog parks (Cutt, et nation-wide survey of 2,332 Australian residents al., 2006). These norms may govern a range of found that 30% of participants reported being behaviours, such as when it is appropriate to have a “moderately annoyed” or “highly annoyed” by dog off lead and picking up after one’s dog. Several barking (Australian Environment Council, 1988). It is studies researching the determinants of littering also one of the most common noise complaints have found that dog owners who believe that friends received by councils. For instance, in 1998 barking do not pick up after their dog were more likely to dogs represented 80% of all noise complaints allow their dog to foul public areas (Webley & Siviter, received by Brisbane city council(Henry & Huson, 2000). They are also more likely to pick up after their 2004). Barking can be equally frustrating for owners dogs if they were prompted by another community who may have the desire and motivation to address member or if the behaviour was modelled by another the problem but lack the skills required to do so. person (Jason & Zolik, 1985). Even registration rates Effective management of disruptive barking, are influenced by normative considerations. A recent however, is notoriously difficult. Although an array of survey investigating the determinants of responsible devices has been made available to owners to curb dog ownership revealed that dog owners are more this issue, the efficacy of these devices is limited likely to register their dog if they believe the practice and controversial (Juarbe-Diaz, 1997; Moffat, is approved of by family and friends (Rohlf, Bennett, Landsberg, & Beaudet, 2003). Effective Toukhsati, & Coleman, 2010). management of barking requires an in-depth The influence of social norms on regulatory investigation of the underlying causes of the behaviour has several implications. Informing behaviour. Such investigative skills are often beyond owners that the majority of people comply with the capabilities of dog owners and professional services may be needed to address the issue. (Continued on page 15)

14 APDT Australia Newsletter Issue 83 - Autumn 2012

(Continued from page 14) obligations to their pet then they are also more likely to comply. Pet owners will comply with a host of regulations may be useful in informing owners that behaviours if they believe that they are consistent compliance is the norm. Encouraging pet owner with their moral obligation towards their pet and social interactions may also be another way of towards other members of the community. Dog and communicating compliance norms among cat owners will confine their pet because they individuals. believe that by doing so they will prevent their dog or cat from being a nuisance to others and from being harmed (Rohlf, et al., 2010; Van de Kuyt, 2004). Legitimate authority However, sometimes animal management A third factor influencing compliance is legitimacy. legislation conflicts with pet owners’ obligations Legitimacy is the perceived obligation to obey towards their pet. For example, very few cat owners authority (Tyler, 1997). If pet owners perceive the support 24 hour cat confinement because they governing authority as legitimate they are more likely believe that the practice is detrimental to the welfare to comply with the regulations imposed on them, for of cats who, they believe, are supposed to be free to they believe that they ought to follow all of them, roam (Van de Kuyt, 2004). Additionally, some dog regardless of the potential for punishment. Important owners may also disobey leash laws because they factors determining the degree to which people view believe that their dogs should be exercised off lead. an authority as legitimate are the extent to which Ensuring urban animal management regulations are they believe the authority treats people respectfully, made with pet owners’ obligations towards their is trustworthy and neutral (Tyler, 1997). The extent pets’ welfare in mind may therefore represent to which authorities are viewed as legitimate has another important means of improving compliance. been found to influence compliance with a number of behaviours including tax evasion and environmental conservation behaviours (Kuperan & Conclusion Sutinen, 1998; Murphy, 2005). Unfortunately, no Establishing why pet owners sometimes do the research is available in the area of pet owners’ level wrong thing is a complex task. Pet owner of compliance and the degree to which pet owners compliance behaviours are not just the results of view regulatory authorities as legitimate. It is likely, weighing up the pros and cons of regulatory however, that pet owners will be more likely to abide behaviour. Rather, compliance is the result of by animal regulations if they are given evidence that knowledge and skills, normative pressures, their values are upheld and that they are respected perceptions of legitimacy and the degree to which members of the community. Further to this, they laws are in line with moral values. The most may be more likely to obey if they believe that important implication arising from such an authorities are neutral, and if they trust the motives understanding is that establishing compliance with of authorities. In contrast, pet owners may be less pet owner regulations may not necessarily require likely to comply with animal management regulations enforcement. Much regulatory behaviour may be if they have had negative experiences with AMO’s in controlled through other means so that pet owners the past and if they view the regulations or the are induced to comply voluntarily. regulatory process as unfair. Fostering ways to increase legitimacy in the eyes of pet owners is therefore a worthwhile endeavour. One of the ways some municipalities have done this is by engaging Reprinted with permission from the author. pet owners in the regulatory process through the creation of pet owner reference groups. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Vanessa Rohlf Municipalities may also wish to consider involving Email: [email protected] AMO’s in community events in a positive manner. Vanessa Rohlf, a former Veterinary Nurse, is a PhD This may ensure that owners are interacting with candidate studying relationships between owner local AMOs in a positive manner rather than only attitudes and their behaviours towards dogs. She when something goes wrong. also lectures and tutors Psychology at Monash University Gippsland.

Personal morality Vanessa presented this paper at the Australian A fourth factor influencing compliance with Institute of Animal Management Inc Conference companion animal regulations is personal morality 2010 . (Tyler, 2006). If animal management policies are (Continued on page 16) consistent with pet owners’ underlying moral

Issue 83 - Autumn 2012 15

Introducing New Regional Representative for Queensland Hilary Paull Hilary was raised in England, after marrying a Queenslander, she came to Australia in 1988. She has lived in Brisbane for twenty odd years on a semi-rural property at Cedar Creek on the north west of Brisbane. Hilary trained and worked as a nurse until having a family. She then became a volunteer breastfeeding counsellor and also had various positions on school P&C Associations. As a side-line she ran a small home alpaca farm for a few years and now has four animals left as lawn mowers. Having always had dogs and a clear love of animals she commenced her formal dog training, completing a Certificate III in Dog Behaviour and Training from the National Dog Trainers Federation. Following that registered her business name K9 Potential, which offers one-on-one training, behavioural consults and group classes. Having only used positive reinforcement training with her own dogs as her father did before her, it wasn’t until her involvement with dog clubs that she realised some people used harsh methods so found the course gave her the information needed to formulate a counter argument. Being married to a research scientist, has made her realise her love of science and learning, so reads and attends as many conferences and workshops as financially possible. Being a keen clicker trainer also led her to attend the first TAG Teach seminar in Australia in Sept 2010. Hilary has competed in agility from 2007 to 2010 attaining two titles and has now started to compete in Dancing with Dogs. Her dog has also done some time as a Delta therapy dog.

Hilary, APDT Member 1506, with 6 year old Rusty, the ridgeback X Lab rescue puppy

References (for Why Pet Owners Don’t Always Do The right Thing ) Adams, C., & Webley, P. (1996). The role of economic and psychological variables in parking violations. Psychology, Crime & Law, 3(2): 111-133. Australian Environment Council. (1988). Community Response to Noise in Australia: Results of the National Survey (Vol. Report No. 21). Canberra. Comer, R., & Gould, E. (2010). Psychology all around us. New York: John Wiley & Sons Inc. Cutt, H., Giles-Corti, B., & Adams, T. (2006). Who’s taking who for a walk? Dog walking and regulation in West Australian local government. Paper presented at the Urban Animal Management Conference, Sydney. Hammond, G. (2003). Assessing animal management priorities by survey. Paper presented at the Urban Animal Management Conference Caloundra. Headey, B. (2006). National people and pets survey. Socially responsible pet ownership in Australia: A decade of progress. Petcare Information and Advisory Service Australia Pty Ltd. Henry, F. D., & Huson, W. L. (2004, 3-5 November 2004 ). Brisbane community noise survey, 1998. Paper presented at the Acoustics 2004: Transportation Noise and Vibration - The New Millennium, Gold Coast, Australia. Jason, L. A., & Zolik, E. S. (1985). Stimulus control and modeling strategies for controlling urban dog litter. Urban Ecology, 9(1): 63-73. doi: Doi: 10.1016/0304- 4009(85)90017-8 Juarbe-Diaz, S. V. (1997). Assessment and treatment of excessive barking in the domestic dog Veterinary Clinics of North America - Small Animal Practice, 27 (3): 515-532. Kallgren, C. A., Reno, R. R., & Cialdini, R. B. (2000). A focus theory of normative conduct: when norms do and do not affect behavior. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 26(8): 1002-1012. Kuperan, K., & Sutinen, J. G. (1998). Blue water crime: deterrence, legitimacy, and compliance in fi heries. Law & Society Review, 32 (2): 309-338. Moffat, K. S., Landsberg, G. M., & Beaudet, R. (2003). Effectiveness and comparison of citronella and scentless spray bark collars for the control of barking in a Veterinary hospital setting. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, 39(4): 343-348. Murphy, K. (2005). Regulating more effectively: The relationship between procedural justice, legitimacy and tax non-compliance. Centre for tax system integrity: The Australian National University Rohlf, V. I., Bennett, P. C., Toukhsati, S. R., & Coleman, G. C. (2009). Why do even committed dog owners fail to comply with some responsible practices? Rohlf, V. I., Bennett, P. C., Toukhsati, S. R., & Coleman, G. C. (2010). Why do even committed dog owners fail to comply with some responsible practices? Anthrozoos, 23(2): 143-155. Schultz, P. W. (1999). Changing behavior with normative feedback interventions: a field experiment on curbside recycling. Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 21(1): 25-36. Sutinen, J. G., & Kuperan, K. (1999). A socio-economic theory of regulatory compliance. International Journal of Social Economics, 26(1/2/3): 174 -193. Tyler, T. R. (1997). The psychology of legitimacy: A relational perspective on voluntary deference to authorities. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 1 (4): 323-345. Tyler, T. R. (2006). Why people obey the law. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. Van de Kuyt, N. (2004, 18th-20th August). Turning research into reality: how councils can use findings from a survey to help manage pets in the community. Paper presented at the Urban Animal Management Conference Adelaide, Australia. Webley, P., & Siviter, C. (2000). Why Do Some Owners Allow Their Dogs to Foul the Pavement? The Social Psychology of a Minor Rule Infraction. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 30(7): 1371-1380. Winter, S. C., & May, P. J. (2001). Motivation for Compliance with Environmental Regulations. Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 20(4), 675-698.

16 APDT Australia Newsletter Issue 83 - Autumn 2012

A brief look at Australian legislation and guidelines for companion dogs Part 3—VICTORIA

Prepared by: Leanne Smith, member number 1134, March 2011 Guidelines for the other Australian States and Territories will appear in future issues of the APDT Newsletter. A note to readers from the author: The following is prepared by a lay-person with no legal training. The purpose of this information is to raise awareness of a range of key issues across Australian State and Territory legislation and guidelines. The contents should not be considered comprehensive in terms of reference to, or exploration of, all relevant legislation and regulations. Readers should refer to the relevant legislation, guidelines, State/Territory and/or local government and where required, and/or a lawyer for legal advice, before relying on anything printed here. 1. Legislation, regulations, guidelines and web resources - including links to the resources used to compile this document 2. Sale of dog ∗ Minimum age of puppies for sale ∗ Other requirements ∗ Restrictions on sale 3. Identification and registration of dogs ∗ Microchips ∗ Identification requirements ∗ Registration requirements 4. Keeping dogs ∗ Multiple dogs ∗ Confinement and exercise ∗ Tethering ∗ Transportation in or on motor vehicles 5. Dogs in public places ∗ Prohibited places ∗ Control ∗ Clean up responsibilities ∗ Female dogs on heat ∗ Greyhounds 6. Use of equipment ∗ Electronic/ electric devices ∗ Pronged collars 7. Health and surgery ∗ Breeding from animals with heritable defects ∗ De-sexing ∗ Removal of dewclaws ∗ Debarking ∗ Tail docking ∗ Cropping ears Websites: Information provided can be found at the following websites. Alternatively go to APDT website. Queensland: www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT New South Wales: www.legislation.nsw.gov.au www.dlg.nsw.gov.au/dlg/dlghome and go to:- BreedersPetShops Australian Capital Territory: www.tams.act.gov.au/live/pets Tasmania: www.launceston.tas.gov.au www.northernmidlands.tas.gov.au South Australia: www.sa.gov.au/subject/Water,+energy+and+environment/Animals/Domestic+animals Western Australia: www.dlg.wa.gov.au/Content/Community/DogOwnership Northern Territory: www.darwin.nt.gov.au/live/animals-and-pets/dogs Victoria: www.legislation.vic.gov.au

Issue 83 - Autumn 2012 17

VICTORIA 1. Legislation, Regulations, Guidelines and Web Resources Legislation, Regulations and • Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 Version 080 27 May 2010 Notification Instruments • Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulation 2008 Version 002 01 Jan 2010 • Domestic Animals Act 1994 Version No. 051 1 Jan 2011 • Domestic Animals Regulations 2005 Version No. 010 1 Sep 2009

Codes of Practice • Code of Practice for the Operation of Pet Shops • Code of Practice for the Breeding and Rearing Establishments • Code of Practice for the Private Keeping of Dogs (guidance only) • Code of Practice for the Tethering of Animals

Other useful resources • Responsible Pet Ownership Website [www.pets.info.vic.gov.au] • Responsible Pet Ownership—Community Website [www.dpi.vic.gov.au/pets]

2. Sale of Dog

Minimum age • Dogs offered for sale must be at least 8 weeks of age • Ref: Code of Practice for Operation of Pet Shops and Code of Practice for Operation of Breeding and Rearing Establishments

Other requirements • The proprietor of a domestic animal business must not sell, or give away, a dog unless it has been implanted with a microchip or other prescribed identification device • Ref: S12A Domestic Animals Act 1994 • Dogs must be vaccinated at least 14 days prior to sale to cover such diseases as canine distemper, infectious canine hepatitis and canine parvovirus for dogs • All dogs sold must have a vaccination certificate signed by a vet • Purchasers must be given literature about feeding, desexing, parasite control, health, housing, responsible pet ownership and current legislation covering the registration of pets • Ref: Code of Practice for Operation of a Pet Shop and Code of Practice for Operation or Breeding and Rearing Establishments

Restrictions on sale • A person must not sell or dispose of a dog with a heritable defect listed in the schedule to the Act, if the person knows or is reckless as to whether the animal has a heritable defect, unless the person who sells or disposes of the animal advises the person to whom the animal is sold or disposed of, before the sale or disposal • The heritable defects that apply to dogs are Von Willebrand’s Disease (VWD), Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (NCL), Collie Eye Anamol (CEA/CH) Hereditary Cataract (HC) • Ref: S15C and Schedule Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 • If the owner of a restricted breed dog proposes to sell the dog or give the dog to another person otherwise transfer the ownership of the dog to another person they must advise the person in writing that the dog is a restricted breed dog and inform the council within 24 hours if the ownership of the dog changes • Ref: S41F Domestic Animals Act 1994

3. Identification and registration

Microchips • A Council must not register a dog unless the dog as been implanted with a prescribed permanent identification device (microchip) or is exempt under the Act • Ref: S10C Domestic Animals Act 1994

Identification requirements • Dogs must wear their Council provided identification tag when outside the owner’s premises. There are exceptions. • Ref: S19, S20 Domestic Animals Act 1994

Registration requirements • Dogs must be registered with the Council if the animal is over 3 months old. • Ref: S10 Domestic Animals Act 194

18 APDT Australia Newsletter Issue 83 - Autumn 2012

4. Keeping dogs

Multiple Dogs: Note different rules • No mention found in State legislation. Check local council regulations may apply to restricted breeds and dangerous dogs Confinement and exercise No specific mention found. Check local council regulations. Tethering • Tethering is regarded as a temporary method of restraint and is not suitable for long-term confinement. In preference dogs should be confined in a secure yard or properly constructed dog pen. • Tethered animals must be trained to accept tethering. Greater supervision and owner vigilance is required than with untethered animals. • Water and weatherproof shelter must be available and within the dog’s reach. • Collars must be fitted with a swivel to which the tether is attached and be checked daily • Dogs less than 4 months old, bitches in season or about to give birth must not be tethered. • Dogs must not be tethered to movable objects or adjacent to a fence in a manner that places them at risk of hanging. • Dogs must be given regular daily exercise off the tether.

Transportation in or on motor • A dog in or on the tray or trailer of a vehicle must be secured in such as way as to prevent it from: vehicles: You will need to also refer ∗ Falling off or out of, or from, or moving off, the tray or trailer; or to the Australian Road Rules and ∗ Being injured from the movement of the motor vehicle or trailer relevant State/Territory and Council • Exceptions apply to dogs being used to assist in the movement of livestock. legislation to get the full picture. • Ref: S15A Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 • A person must not place or transport an animal in an enclosed boot of a sedan motor vehicle. • Ref: S6 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2008 • Dogs should not be allowed to travel with their head out of the car window. This is a road traffic legal requirement • Ref: Code of Practice for Private Keeping of Dogs

5. Dogs in public places Prohibited places • No mention found. Check local council regulations. Control • Effective control is consistently described as ‘effective control of some person by means of a chain, cord or leash’ • Ref: Domestic Animals Act 1994

Clean-up responsibilities • Local Councils may make local laws requiring owners of dogs to remove and dispose of faeces deposited by their dogs in public places. • Ref: S42 Domestic Animals Act 1994

Female dogs on heat No mention found in legislation Greyhounds • If a greyhound is outside the premises of its owner it must be: ∗ Muzzled in a manner sufficient to prevent it causing injury by biting; and ∗ Be under the effective control of a person my means of a chain, cord or leash. • Having control of more than 4 greyhounds at the one time is not considered effective control. • Ref: S27 Domestic Animals Act 1994

6. Use of equipment Electronic/electric devices • Allowed uses are: ∗ Authorised electronic collars are remote training collars, anti-bark collars and containment collars (with specific specifications) on dogs over 6 months of age an after a vet examines and clears the dog as suitable for use of such a collar. Thee collar cannot be left on a dog for more than 12 hours out of 24. ∗ Remote training collars and anti-bark collars can only be put on a dog by a vet, a qualified dog training or someone acting under their supervision and written instructions. When being used under supervision then a review must occur within the first 6 months of use and at least every 12 months after. ∗ Containment collars can only be used that the dog has been trained to the use of the containment system and collar by a vet, a qualified dog trainer or by someone employed b the company selling the equipment who is competent to conduct training, or under their supervision and written instructions. • Ref: S11, S11, S17, S18, S19, S20 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2008 • Also see Ref: Responsible Pet Ownership—Community Website—All about dogs Pronged collars • Applying pronged collars to animals is prohibited in VIC • Ref: S9 Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Regulations 2008 (Continued on page 31)

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2011 APDT Annual Conference Photos

Tasmania (left) ACT (centre) New South Wales (bottom and opposite) Why did APDT members travel from all States and territories to attend the conference? “To further my knowledge” “My love and dogs and wanting the best for pet dog owners”

20 APDT Australia Newsletter Issue 83 - Autumn 2012

New Zealand members (right) Victoria (centre) New South Wales (below and opposite) “To gain more skills as a trainer..” “Personal development and the sheer enjoyment of spending 3 days dedicated to dogs and dog training” “To learn more about...clicker-training...best practice...’ “To develop my skills...personal develop...networking...” “To learn and hear about new strategies and techniques”

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A pack of people represented RSPCA NSW/ ACT (left)

Dog handlers (right)

MEDIA RELEASE PUBLISHED: 1 MARCH 2011 Contact: Nicola Woods T: 02 9952 5004 [email protected]

Dr Katrina Warren and Kelly Gill, APDT member 2070 The Ultimate Book of Tricks and Training for Puppies and Dogs TV vet Dr Katrina Warren, one of the country’s most recognised and loved veterinarians, has teamed up with professional dog trainer Kelly Gill and the Wonderdogs ─ Willow, Jordie, Jinx and Flynn. Wonderdogs teaches 20 fun tricks ranging from easy to advanced, and every trick is accompanied by straightforward step-by-step instructions and photographs. You’ll find everything your dog wants to learn: from sitting, staying and fetching to dancing, spinning and spelling. Plus, there is a puppy guide to help set up your puppy for life. By learning the secrets to successfully training your pet, you’ll strengthen the bond you both share. With love, patience and a few minutes a day you’ll have your very own Wonderdog.

About the Authors Dr Katrina Warren is a qualified veterinarian, author, event MC and dog trainer who has appeared across all media platforms. She is the resident veterinarian on the Today Show and has hosted a number of popular TV shows. Katrina loves all animals but has a huge passion for Border Collies. Her first bestselling book WONDERDOG starred Toby the Border Collie who was known and loved Australia-wide.

Kelly Gill is a renowned dog trainer, Border Collie breeder and veterinary nurse who is based in the Hunter Valley. Her own dogs have won numerous Obedience & Agility titles, including two Obedience championship titles, and regularly appear in stage, TV and film productions. DR KATRINA AND KELLY ARE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS For further information, please contact : Wonderdogs: Tricks and Training by Katrina Warren and Kelly Gill Nicola Woods, Senior Publicity Manager ISBN: 9780732294793 Tel: 02 9952 5004 Non-Standard Paperback E: [email protected] ARP: $24.99 www.harpercollins.com.au Imprint: HarperCollins

22 APDT Australia Newsletter Issue 83 - Autumn 2012

A Review of Behavioral Assessment Protocols Used by Australian Animal Shelters to Determine the Adoption Suitability of Dogs Kate M. Mornement, Grahame J. Coleman, Samia Toukhsati and Pauleen C. Bennett Animal Welfare Science Centre, School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University, Australia

Shelter dogs typically undergo preadoption assessment for suitability as companions. Dogs who pass are available for adoption. Available resources determine whether dogs who fail are euthanized or rehabilitated. Accurate assessment of shelter-dog behavior is imperative to protect community welfare and dogs in the shelter system and to ensure potentially dangerous dogs are not rehomed and suitable companions not wrongly euthanized. This study reviewed a sample of Australian nonhuman animal shelters assessment pro- tocols to determine adoption suitability. The study observed more than 50 assessments in 8 shelters, col- lected materials relating to the observed assessments, and interviewed 26 shelter workers who assess dogs. The results showed that Australian shelters use a variety of protocols to assess adoptability. Although shel- ters do their best to ensure meaningful results, assessments developed in-house predominate and lack stan- dardization in content and methodology; none have been adequately evaluated in the peer-reviewed litera- ture. This does not necessarily mean invalid or inappropriate assessments; rather, it indicates the need for behavioral scientists to assist in developing standardized and scientifically validated protocols for assessing shelter dogs’ behavior and adoption suitability.

As in other developed countries, companion animal Borg, Netto, & Planta, 1991). The purpose of the (pet) dogs are an integral part of the Australian assessment is to determine whether a dog will make lifestyle, with 37% of households owning one or a suitable companion for potential adopters more pet dogs (Heady, 2006). Notwithstanding the (Christensen, Scarlett, Campagna, & Albro Houpt, popularity of dogs as companions, some dogs’ 2006) and, more recently, to help improve the match existence is tenuous. Those who display undesirable between adopter and dog (Bollen & Horowitz, 2008). behaviors, such as inappropriate aggressive Dogs who pass the assessment are made available tendencies, are frequently surrendered to shelters for adoption, whereas those who fail (generally (Miller, Staats, Partlo, & Rada, 1996). Indeed, because they display aggressive or fearful behavior millions of unwanted, abandoned, and stray dogs or have chronic health problems) are rehabilitated; enter the welfare-shelter system worldwide each retained permanently in confinement; or, in many year (Bollen & Horowitz, 2008). Various reasons are countries, euthanized. given for relinquishment. These include caregiver Approximately one third of dogs who enter the (owner)-related factors such as “moving house,” “too shelter system in Australia are euthanized and re- much effort,” “health problems,” and dog-related homing rates of 21% (Marston & Bennett, 2005) and factors (Marston, Bennett, & Coleman, 2004), the 27% have been reported (Royal Society for the most common of which are “behavior Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Australia National problems” (DiGiacomo, Arluke, & Patronek, 1998; Statistics, 2007–2008). Because this represents Miller et al., 1996; Patronek, Glickman, Beck, many thousands of dogs there is a strong imperative McCabe, & Ecker, 1996; Wells, 1996). for behavioral assessments to be valid. Deficiencies Common behavior problems include aggression in assessment have the potential to be a significant toward people and other dogs, destructive behavior, concern if dogs are wrongly euthanized or if inappropriate elimination, escaping, hyperactivity/ potentially dangerous dogs are made available for boisterousness, and vocalization (Marston et al., adoption. According to Martin and Bateson (1993), 2004; Salman et al., 1998; Tuber et al., 1999). the quality of a behavioral test (whether a test is a Relinquishers are likely to underreport behavior good measure, the right measure, and a useful problems (Miller et al., 1996) due to the perception measure) is determined by three specific that reporting problem behaviours reduces the characteristics: (a) reliability, (b) validity, and (c) likelihood that a relinquished dog will be rehomed feasibility. To show that the characteristics are (DiGiacomo et al., 1998). accurate and meaningful, it is critical that empirical Before being made available for adoption, shelter studies testing these attributes support behavioral dogs typically undergo a behavioral assessment or assessment protocols used to determine the “temperament test.” Theoretically, such tests should adoptability of shelter dogs. Of course, a valid provide an efficient and relatively complete profile of behavioral assessment protocol may not guarantee the behavioural characteristics of a dog (van der (Continued on page 24)

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(Continued from page 23) members of staff working at these shelters who were responsible for assessing dogs. that adoption is successful. Other strategies such as preadoption counseling for potential adopters, basic METHOD obedience training for shelter dogs before adoption, Review of Behavioral Assessment Protocols and an adopter-dog matching program could also be used to increase the likelihood of successful Used by Australian Shelters adoption. Data were collected from 11 shelters and pounds across six Australian states (Victoria, New South A recent scientific review of available literature Wales, Western Australia, Australian Capital revealed a lack of standardization in both the Territory, South Australia, and Queensland). Shelter content and methodology of assessment protocols and pound managers were contacted by phone or used to evaluate canine behavior in various email and invited to participate. If they consented, a contexts. Although such protocols are available, they visit to the establishment was organized (if vary considerably, depending on the purpose for convenient). Alternatively, a time was scheduled to which they were designed; most are incomplete in conduct a telephone interview with staff members their reports of reliability and validity (Taylor & Mills, (or volunteers) responsible for assessing the 2006). Protocols specifically designed to assess behavior of dogs. Eight shelters were visited during adoption suitability in shelter dogs are almost the study with 11 contributing staff interviews. completely lacking in the scientific literature (Taylor Participating establishments ranged from large & Mills, 2006). Few shelter staff workers are likely to nonprofit animal shelters to small council pounds. have access to scientific literature; so many The number of dogs assessed each week ranged nonhuman animal welfare organizations from 8 to 70. None of the establishments that understandably employ protocols developed in- participated had a “no-kill” policy. house, with or without consultation with a behavioural expert, to assess the dogs in their care. Observation of Shelter Assessment Protocols The following presents a review of protocols used by More than 50 shelter-dog assessments were a sample of Australian animal shelters to determine observed during visits to 8 of the 11 Australian adoption suitability. These protocols are often animal shelters involved in this study. Additional referred to as temperament tests because their aim information collected on these visits included copies is to reveal the underlying temperament or of the paperwork used during the various shelter personality of an individual dog; this is something assessments. This typically included instructions for presumed not only to be present from a young age, administration of the protocol and scoring of dog stable across time and different situations, and behavior. moderately heritable (Buss, 1989) but also to be influenced by environment (Costa & McCrae, 1992). Interviews With Shelter Staff In reality, of course, all that can be observed is the Interviews were conducted with shelter staff directly dog’s behavior under highly artificial conditions and involved with assessing dogs, either personally during a limited time. Because it is well established during shelter visits or by telephone. All interviews that the exact behaviors displayed by a dog can were conducted in a private room or area away from differ over time due to the effects of motivation and other staff members and membersof the public. needs, previous learning, and current environment Fifteen questions were asked during the interview (Ley & Bennett, 2007), in this article we refer to all (Table 1). protocols as behavioral assessments. RESULTS This project had two aims. The first was to investigate and describe current behavioral Behavioral Assessment Review: Observation assessment protocols used by a sample of of Shelter Assessment Protocols Australian shelters to assess the behavior of dogs. The observations of assessments revealed a great The second was to ascertain the extent to which deal about how the shelters assess their dogs and those responsible for assessing shelter dogs in the constraints under which they do so. A summary Australia were confident both of appropriate protocol of the behaviors included in each assessment is in current use and of their own ability to accurately provided in Table 2. For ease of explanation, the assess dogs. The project comprised two parts: (a) following review is organized using a number of observation of and collection of relevant materials headings suchvas purpose, design, administration, pertaining to behavioral assessment protocols used scoring, and interpretation. by Australian shelters and (b) interviews with (Continued on page 25)

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(Continued from page 24) help match them to an appropriate owner. It is interesting to note that the language used to describe the tests differed. Three of the protocols TABLE 1 used “temperament test” in their titles, two were called a “Behavioral Assessment/Evaluation,” one Shelter Staff Interview Questions was called “Assessing Aggression in Dogs,” and the 1. Does your organization currently use a remainder did not have a title. behavioral assessment protocol for assessing adoption suitability? Design 2. How long does the assessment take? (minutes) The majority of the protocols we reviewed were 3. Did you receive any training on assessing developed in-house. Two additional protocols were behavior in shelter dogs? existing tests developed elsewhere: Emily Weiss’s Safety Assessment for Evaluating Rehoming 4. On average, how many days are dogs held in assessment (Weiss, 2006) and Amy Marder’s Dog your shelter prior to assessment? Behavioral Evaluation (A. Marder, personal 5. What do you think are the three most important communication, November 11, 2006). The final behaviors to assess? protocol appeared to be very similar, but not 6. Does your existing protocol include the identical to, an existing test: Sue Sternberg’s Assess assessment of those three behaviors you just -A-Pet (Sternberg, 2004), although it was not identified as important? acknowledged as such. The design of the protocols 7. How much time do you allocate for each we reviewed varied in terms of content and assessment? methodology. For example, the number of subtests 8. Do you believe this is enough time to accurately that comprised the protocols ranged from 6 to 54. assess a dog? Because of the large number and variety of 9. On a scale from 1 to 7, where 1 = “not at all behaviors assessed by the protocols we reviewed, in confident” and 7 = “extremely confident” how Table 2 behaviour is subdivided into the following confident are you that the current assessment categories: protocol is the best protocol to use in terms of 1. Aggression toward people, dogs, cats, and maximizing successful adoptions? other animals; 10. What suggestions would you make, if any, to 2. Resource guarding of wet food, dry food, treats, improve the protocol? toys, and furniture; 11. How much experience have you had assessing 3. Dominance/submissive behavior; the behavior of dogs in shelters? (months/years) 12. On a scale of 1 to 7, where 1 = “not at all 4. Reaction to handling; confident” and 7 =“extremely confident,” how 5. Kennel behavior—sociability, fear, obedience/ confident are you in your ability to accurately trainability (including leash manners); assess dogs in the shelter environment? 6. Reaction to novelty; 13. Do you think that having a scientifically 7. Playfulness; validated and standardized dog behaviour assessment protocol available for use by animal 8. Irritability/arousal; and shelters and pounds Australia-wide would be 9. Separation anxiety. beneficial? As can be seen from Table 2, the protocols varied 14. What are the main dog breeds or breed types considerably in terms of the behaviors they attempt received by your pound/shelter? (list top three) to assess. All eight protocols assess aggression 15. What are the most common behavioral toward people; only one protocol fails to assess problems exhibited by dogs received by your aggression toward other dogs. Half assess pound/shelter? (list top three) aggression toward cats, and three include aggression toward other animals (such as rabbits, Purpose guinea pigs, and/or livestock). All but one of the 1The general purpose of all protocols we reviewed protocols assesses resource guarding of wet food; was to determine which dogs were safe and should five also assess guarding of dry food and toys. Half be made available for adoption. However, several the protocols assess resource guarding of treats, protocols had additional aims, namely, to determine and two assess resource guarding of furniture (a whether dogs required rehabilitation and/or couch). Five of the eight protocols assess dominant/ additional training in order to be “adoptable” and to submissive behavior; all protocols assess a dog’s collect further information about adoptable dogs to (Continued on page 26)

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(Continued from page 25) = 2). Typically, however, there were two people present: a scorer and a handler. reaction to at least one aspect of handling. Five of There was also no standardization either between or the protocols assess a dog’s behavior in the kennel/ within shelters as to when the dogs were assessed. cage, and all assess sociability (friendliness). Fear In the state of Victoria, for example, stray dogs and excitability/ arousal were assessed by all but cannot be assessed until after a mandatory 8-day one protocol while obedience/leash manners and holding period, but dogs relinquished by their playfulness were assessed by five of the eight owners can be assessed by shelter staff at any time. protocols we reviewed. Half the protocols assessed In New South Wales, stray dogs with identification reaction to novelty. Only three protocols assessed are held for 14 days; those without identification are separation anxiety. held for 7 days prior to assessment. In Queensland Even when the behaviors that the protocols attempt and South Australia, stray dogs are held for 3 days to assess are somewhat similar (Table 2), the and in the Australian Capital Territory they are held methods used to assess behavior varied greatly. For for 7 days. Dogs who are not reclaimed by their example, resource guarding was assessed using owners after this time can be assessed for adoption wet food, dry food, treats, toys, and furniture. A suitability by the pound or transferred to a shelter for dog’s reaction to handling (assessed by all the assessment. protocols) was determined by the dog’s response to one or more of the following: Scoring Procedure The protocols varied considerably in how they were 1. Stroking the dog’s back with a human and/or scored. For example, one protocol required the artificial hand; scorer to tick one of five boxes labeled Excellent, 2. Lifting the muzzle to expose the dog’s teeth or Good, Fair, Unsuitable, and Not Tested based on a holding the muzzle closed; dog’s behavioral responses to 10 subtests. There 3. Touching the dog’s ears, legs, paws, or tail; were no definitions in the assessment paperwork to indicate what score a given behavioral response 4. Pinching the dog’s paws; should receive, meaning that the scoring of the 5. Grooming the dog; assessment was entirely subjective. For each 6. Placing the dog on a table; subtest of another protocol, dogs received a score of A, B, or C, according to a brief description of what 7. Giving the dog a routine veterinary examination, behaviors each letter corresponded with. For some including taking the dog’s temperature; and subtests, the three responses provided did not 8. Holding the dog by the collar while giving the adequately cover all possible behavioral responses dog a “safe” hug. a dog might display. For example, the three responses for the item “How does the animal react Administration at the sight of an unfamiliar person?” were: Only two of the protocols in our review had specific and standardized step-by-step instructions on how 1. It [The dog] shows little reaction or shows to administer the assessment. The documentation sociable behavior, for the remaining protocols only indicated the names 2. It [The dog] growls and barks, and of the different subtests. 3. It [The dog] is overly aggressive. There was little consistency in how the protocols Within these responses, there is no scope for were administered, partly because of constraints indicating the degree of sociable behavior exhibited including limited availability of time and resources. or if the dog showed mild fear or anxiety without The most common constraints were limited staff barking, growling, or being “overly” aggressive. numbers available to conduct the assessments, insufficient staff training in assessing canine The scoring procedure for still another protocol was behavior, and the lack of an appropriate area to not consistent for all subtests. For some subtests, conduct assessments. The duration of assessments the scorer indicated the dog’s response by writing ranged from 5 to 40 min ( M = 24 min). The main comments. Other subtests were scored on a scale location where the assessments were conducted from 1 to 10, or a yes/no answer was circled (to varied and included (a) a fenced-off, purpose-built indicate whether a dog knew basic commands such outdoor area; (b) inside a portable office building; (c) as “sit”). In another protocol, each subtest was in a veterinary consulting room; and (d) in a scored from 1 to 5. Although each number was combination of indoor and outdoor locations. The defined, the definitions for a given score were not number of people required to administer the consistent. For some subtests, a score of 2 denoted protocols we reviewed ranged from one to three ( M (Continued on page 27)

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(Continued from page 26) corresponding to the specific behavior, (b) write comments about the dog’s behavior during each acceptable behavior; in other subtests, the same subtest, and (c) score the behavior on a scale from 1 score denoted unacceptable behavior. This made it to 10 on some subtests. One protocol, for example, difficult to readily interpret the overall result of the required the scorer to tick one of five boxes labeled test. The scoring for another protocol we reviewed “excellent,” “good,” “fair,” “unsuitable,” and “not involved ticking boxes to indicate “acceptable” and tested” on 10 subtests. The five options were not “nonacceptable” behavioral responses observed. defined, so there was no indication of what behavior The definitions and number of options available for warranted a particular score. indicating behavioral responses on the scoring sheet In most cases, there were no guidelines to assist varied considerably. Because a dog can legitimately scorers in interpreting the results of individual pass or fail a test in multiple ways, this is not assessments. Because the protocols were so necessarily problematic; however, no justification diverse internally, it was often impossible to sum was provided for the specific outcomes listed as scores into a meaningful total. Decisions regarding being acceptable or unacceptable, and some the fate of assessed dogs were therefore made potential outcomes were not listed in either category. subjectively. The assessment paperwork for two of A more complex protocol scored dogs on four the protocols included a separate section on attributes: friendliness, fear, arousal, and aggression recommendations regarding individual dogs. These on a scale from 0 (attribute absent) to 3 (attribute included whether the dog needed rehabilitation, extreme). A score of 3 for fear and arousal and a whether the dog was unsuitable for adoption and score of 2 or 3 for aggression were defined as should be euthanized, and whether there should be “flags.” The scoring sheet had eight columns any restrictions on the dog’s adoption (such as not (Greeting, Body Movement, Body Position, Tail, being rehomed with young children); however, it was Ears, Mouth, Teeth, and Vocalizations) containing not clear on what basis these recommendations behaviors relating to body language. For example, should be made. the Greeting column contained four behaviors: jump Other protocols were more directive but still were up, lick, paw, and sniff, whereas the Tail column insufficiently supported by data. For example, one contained seven behaviors: high, low, medium, protocol involved allocating a score of A, B, C, D, or relaxed, stiff, tuck, and wag. These behaviors were F to a dog’s responses to a number of subtests. A circled if noted during each subtest and were and B scores indicated a dog was considered consistent throughout the test. The scores (0 to 3) adoptable, C and D scores indicated a dog may were defined for each attribute (friendliness, fear, require rehabilitation or may only be suitable for arousal, and aggression) the dog was scored on. In experienced owners, and F scores deemed a dog yet another protocol, 58 possible behavioural unsafe and not suitable for adoption. How to sum responses (such as bark, bite, cock leg, dilated the various subtest scores was not indicated. None pupils, dribbling, eye contact, fidget, growl, head of the remaining protocols included a final turn, lip lick, panting, pull away, snort, stare, wall recommendation regarding individual dogs within the bouncing, and yawn) were listed. The scorer was assessment paperwork. Rather, if a dog received a required to circle these behaviors if they were noted particular score or responded in an aggressive at any time during an assessment and to indicate at manner during the test, the score sheet indicated a which point during the assessment the behavior failed or inappropriate response and the scorer occurred. There was also space provided for the discontinued the test. scorer to write positive comments, negative comments, and additional comments. Indeed, all Interviews With Assessment Staff protocols we reviewed provided space on the We interviewed 26 shelter staff directly involved with assessment paperwork for additional comments. assessing dogs. Staff experience in assessing the Interpretation behavior of shelter dogs ranged from 6 months to 16 years ( M = 2.5 years, SD = 3.3 years). More than There was no consistency between the protocols we three quarters (77%) of respondents reported they reviewed either in terms of interpretation of behavior had received training in the assessment of shelter observed during an assessment or in terms of dogs, whereas almost one quarter (23%) reported interpretation of the results of individual that they had not received training. The most assessments. Interpretation of behavior during the common form of training was “on the job” (59%) assessments varied as described earlier and was followed by “attended a seminar/completed a typically quite subjective. Often, protocol required course” (33%). When asked to rate their confidence, initial assessor interpretation of a behavior. Only then could the assessor (a) circle a number or letter (Continued on page 28)

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(Continued from page 27) assessment of shelter dogs’ adoption suitability, all 26 participants (100%) replied “yes.” The most on a 7-point Likert-type scale, that the current common reasons given for why such a protocol assessment protocol was the best one to use to would be beneficial were the following: maximize successful adoptions, the greatest 1. To create standardization across the shelter proportion (42%) of the assessment staff members industry in how dogs are assessed (44%), reported they were “somewhat confident,” followed by “very confident” (23%), “neither unconfident nor 2. To improve public safety (15%), confident” (15%), “somewhat unconfident” (12%), 3. To obtain more reliable results (9%), and and “extremely confident” (8%). 4. To enable a better match between adopter and When staff members were asked to rate, on a 7- dog (9%). point Likert-type scale, their confidence in their Findings showed that the number of days dogs ability to accurately assess dogs in shelters, half spent in the shelter prior to assessment ranged from (50%) of the assessment staff reported that they 3 to 14 ( M = 5 days, SD = 2.6 days). The three most were “somewhat confident” in their own ability to common breeds/breed types entering participating accurately assess shelter dogs, followed by “very shelters were Kelpie crosses (23%), Staffordshire confident” (35%), “extremely confident” (8%), bull terrier crosses (22%), and Australian cattle dog “neither confident nor unconfident” (4%), and crosses (17%). The most widely reported behavioral “extremely unconfident” (4%). problems exhibited by dogs held in participating Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed that shelters were intraspecific (dog-dog) aggression experience in assessing the behavior of shelter dogs (14%), anxiety (10%), disobedience (9%), resource was not significantly correlated with respondents’ guarding (8%), escaping (8%), and hyperactivity confidence in their current protocol (rho D .13, n D (6%). 26, p > .05). Experience also did not correlate with respondents’ confidence in their ability to accurately DISCUSSION assess shelter dogs, although the trend was toward The aims of this project were twofold: a negative relationship (rho = .13, n = 26, p > .05). 1. To investigate existing behavioral assessment Participants were asked which three behaviors they protocols used to determine the adoption thought were most important for inclusion in an suitability of shelter dogs in Australia and assessment protocol. The most common responses 2. To ascertain whether shelter staff workers included the following: sociability (23%), aggression responsible for assessing dogs considered their (18%), reaction to handling (13%), resource own protocol appropriate. guarding (12%), fear (10%), and anxiety (8%). Other responses included excitability, playfulness, and A previous review of the scientific literature revealed dominance/submissive behavior (5%). When asked that current assessment protocols used to identify if their current protocol included the assessment of shelter dogs who would make suitable companions these behaviours the majority (77%) answered may be problematic in several respects. Many have “yes,” followed by “some” (19%). One participant not formally been presented and evaluated in the responded that the protocol used did not include any scientific literature (Taylor & Mills, 2006). Of those of the behaviors she considered important. When that have been peer reviewed, most are deficient in asked whether their current assessment protocol their reports of reliability and validity, key could be improved, the majority (85%) replied “yes.” components that determine a worthwhile When asked, in an open-ended question, how the assessment of behaviour (Martin & Bateson, 1993). protocol could be improved, the most common Furthermore, existing tests are believed to lack responses were by expanding the protocol to assess standardization in their content, methodology (Taylor more behaviors (19%), having more time available & Mills, 2006), and focus. for assessment (16%), having more staff training in The observational review of assessment protocols assessing dogs (13%), having two people present used by Australian shelters confirmed that a variety during assessment (6%), and having a more of protocols are employed to assess adoption standardized protocol (6%). suitability. These protocols vary considerably in When participants were asked if the time available duration and in the specific behaviors they assess, was sufficient to obtain an accurate assessment of although there is some consistency in their aims and each dog’s behavior, only 56% responded “yes.” in the general types of behaviors assessed (Table The remaining 44% responded “no.” When asked if 2). Fear and dominance-based aggression (both a standardized and scientifically validated inter- and intraspecific) are a high priority, assessment protocol would be beneficial for the (Continued on page 29)

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(Continued from page 28) dogs. It might be speculated that the more practical experience shelter staff gain in assessing canine presumably because many dogs are surrendered to behavior, the greater their appreciation of its shelters because of aggressive behavior toward complexity and of the deficits in current assessment people and other dogs (Wells & Hepper, 2000). protocols. Only two thirds of respondents had Resource guarding (food, toys, and couch) and a received training in assessing the behavior of shelter dog’s willingness to interact with, and be handled by, dogs. Although training mainly was on-the-job, a people (often referred to as “sociability”) are other third of the shelter staff reported being trained to behaviors assessed in most shelter assessment assess dogs either in a seminar (presented by a protocols (Kalnajs, 2006; Sternberg, 2004; Weiss, behaviorist or trainer) or in a short course. To our 2006). Other behaviors commonly assessed include knowledge, none of these training methods have hyperactivity, trainability or knowledge of basic been independently audited. commands (sit, drop, and shake hands), and Potentially, therefore, shelter staff are required to playfulness (reaction to and willingness to play with make important decisions based on inadequate toys). training, potentially invalid assessment protocols, Despite this general consistency in aims and scope, and subjective interpretations of behavior in which there was enormous variability in how the tests were they have limited confidence: shelter staff members administered, how the observed behavior was decide whether dogs live or die (are euthanized) and scored, and how the scores were interpreted. This is which dogs are released into the community. This is potentially extremely problematic. Although it is unacceptable in terms of placing both dogs and possible that all protocols are equally effective, members of the public at risk. It also potentially perhaps because canine behavior is consistently causes undue stress to shelter staff and may result displayed across a wide variety of contexts, there is in high staff turnover and traumatic stress symptoms no evidence to support this view. Moreover, because (Rohlf & Bennett, 2005). none of the protocols we reviewed have been The majority of respondents offered valuable reported in the scientific literature and none have suggestions for improving their existing protocols. been scientifically validated, it is simply not possible The most common suggestions were to include to comment on their effectiveness. One of the more behavior and to have more time available for protocols we observed appeared to be based on assessment. Nearly half of the respondents reported Sue Sternberg’s Assess-A-Pet, which has been that they did not have enough time available to reported in the scientific literature by Bollen & obtain an accurate assessment of each dog. Other Horowitz (2008); however, it had been modified by suggestions included the following: (a) providing the shelter that used it and may therefore no longer more staff training in assessing shelter dogs, (b) be valid. having at least two people present, and (c) having a It also appeared that one of the protocols we protocol that is more standardized. Respondents reviewed was identical to the “Am I Safe” unanimously agreed that a scientifically validated assessment (Kalnajs, 2006) developed by animal and standardized assessment protocol would be behaviour consultant Sarah Kalnajs from Wisconsin, beneficial. The reasons given were to create United States. It is possible that many shelters utilize standardization across the shelter industry, to well-known assessment protocols, some of which promote public safety, to obtain reliable results, and are readily available via the Internet, with the very to enable a better match between adopter and dog. best of intentions. Without appropriate training or This is an important result. Although shelters guidance from the developer, however, and without operate under many constraints such as limited proper testing of the protocols’ reliability and validity, time, space, and resources, the time they have it is not possible to judge whether or not these available may be better utilized using a valid and protocols are effective. At present, whether any of reliable protocol to assess behavior. The welfare of the tests currently being used in Australian shelters dogs in Australian shelters and the welfare of the are useful in terms of predicting future behavior in community may be at risk if dogs are assessed for the adoptive home is unknown. their adoption potential on the basis of invalid The interviews with shelter staff revealed, notably, behavioural assessment protocols, particularly if that experience was not correlated with confidence these are developed in other countries. The most in the current assessment protocol or confidence in common breeds/breed types entering Australian the respondent’s ability to accurately assess dogs. shelters are working dog crosses, including Kelpie This finding was unanticipated; it had been expected crosses, Staffordshire bull terriers, and Australian that highly experienced respondents would be more cattle dog crosses. The most common behavioral confident in their ability to accurately assess shelter (Continued on page 30)

Issue 83 - Autumn 2012 29

(Continued from page 29) adopted out. Using a valid and reliable assessment may reduce the number of dogs returned to the problems exhibited by dogs (as reported by shelter shelter due to an inappropriate match between staff ) were intraspecific aggression, anxiety, adopter and dog. This may have the added benefit disobedience, resource guarding, escaping, and of freeing up resources to accommodate more dogs. hyperactivity. Whether assessment protocols Finally, providing a valid, reliable, and objective developed elsewhere are suitable for these dogs means of assessing behavior may alleviate and able to assess behaviours that Australian workplace stress and anxiety for shelter staff. It is owners find problematic has not been established. not known if dogs in the shelter system are These findings suggest, then, that Australian mistakenly euthanized or mistakenly approved for assessment staff members are justified in lacking adoption; however, given the current lack of complete confidence in the protocol they currently standardization and poor reports of reliability and use to assess dogs and in their own ability to validity in the peer-reviewed literature, it is possible accurately assess behavior. Because the range of that this does occur. assessment tools available is so limited and so poorly validated, a similar situation is likely to be CONCLUSION found in other countries. This situation could be Our results confirm that the development and improved in the short run by providing assessment evaluation of behavioral assessment protocols for staff with comprehensive training by professional dogs in shelters (potential adoptees) need a more animal behaviorists with shelter experience. In the rigorous scientific approach. Although shelters and long run, however, it is absolutely critical that a body their staff are to be commended for attempting to of research be developed that carefully analyzes the ensure that only appropriate dogs are adopted and needs of dog owners and formulates strategies to that these dogs are matched as well as possible with assess dogs for their ability to meet these needs. prospective owners, this area of research is clearly Cross-cultural studies are required, and the being neglected by regulatory bodies and behavioral importance of evaluating those protocols that are scientists. Top priorities should include equipping of developed cannot be overestimated. Strategies for shelters with a brief standardized assessment with improving the assessment of shelter dogs to established reliability, validity, and feasibility and determine their suitability for adoption should include providing a comprehensive staff-training program in the following: the assessment of shelter dogs. 1. Standardization in the content and methodology of assessment protocols and the collection of This article was downloaded by: [123.243.26.2] empirical evidence to establish their reliability, On: 30 September 2011, At: 00:14 Publisher: Routledge 2. Validity and feasibility (practicality), and Registered office: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK 3. An ongoing training program for shelter staff to Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science teach best practice in the assessment of canine Publication details, including instructions for authors and behavior. subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/haaw20 This would improve the welfare of the dogs in the Correspondence should be sent to: shelter system by ensuring that suitable companion Pauleen C. Bennett, School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University, Building 17, Clayton Campus, Wellington dogs are not wrongly euthanized. It would also Road, Monash University, Victoria, 3800, Australia. improve the welfare of the community by preventing Email: [email protected] potentially dangerous dogs from being mistakenly

References Bollen, K., & Horowitz, J. (2008). Behavioural evaluation and demographic information in the assessment of aggressiveness in shelter dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 112, 120–135. Buss, A. (1989). Temperaments as personality traits. In G. A. Kohnstamm, J. E. Bates, & M. K. Rothbart (Eds.), Temperament in children (pp. 49–58). Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons. Christensen, E., Scarlett, J., Campagna, M., & Albro Houpt, K. (2006). Aggressive behavior in adopted dogs that passed a temperament test. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 106, 85–95. Costa, P. T., & McCrae, R. R. (1992). Four ways five factors are based. Personality & Individual Differences, 13, 653–665. DiGiacomo, N., Arluke, A., & Patronek, G. J. (1998). Surrendering pets to shelters: The relinquisher’s perspective. Anthrozoös, 11, 41–45. Heady, B. (2006). National people and pets survey. Melbourne, Australia: Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, Melbourne University. Kalnajs, S. (Writer). (2006). Am I safe? The art and science of canine behavior assessments [DVD]. Madison, WI: Blue Dog Training and Behavior. Ley, J. M., & Bennett, P. C. (2007). Personality in dogs. Anthrozoös, 20, 113–124.

(Continued on page 31)

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Marston, L., & Bennett, P. (2005).What happens to shelter dogs? Part 2. Comparing three Melbourne welfare shelters for nonhuman animals. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 8, 25–45. Marston, L., Bennett, P., & Coleman, G. (2004). What happens to shelter dogs? An analysis of data for 1 year from three Australian shelters. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 7, 27–47. Martin, P., & Bateson, P. (1993).Measuring behaviour: an introductory guide (2nd ed.). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Miller, D. D., Staats, S. R., Partlo, C., & Rada, K. (1996). Factors associated with the decision to surrender a pet to an animal shelter. Journal of the American Veterinary Association, 209, 738–742. Patronek, G. J., Glickman, L. T., Beck, A. M., McCabe, G. P., & Ecker, C. (1996). Risk factors for relinquishment of dogs to an animal shelter. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 209, 572–581. Rohlf, V., & Bennett, P. (2005). Perpetration-induced traumatic stress in persons who euthanize nonhuman animals in surgeries, animal shelters, and laboratories. Society & Animals, 13, 201– 219. Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Australia National Statistics. (2007–2008). Retrieved May 13, 2010, from http://www.rspca.org.au/assets/files/Resources/RSPCAAnnualStats 2007-2008.pdf Salman, M. D., New, J. G., Scarlett, J. M., Kass, P. H., Ruch-Gaillie, R., & Hetts, S. (1998). Human and animal factors related to the relinquishment of dogs and cats in 12 selected animals shelters in the United States. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 1, 207–226. Sternberg, S. (Writer). (2004). Temperament evaluation of shelter dogs [Video]. Eagle, Boise, ID: Tawzer Dog Videos. Taylor, K. D., & Mills, D. S. (2006). The development and assessment of temperament tests for adult companion dogs. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 1, 94–108. Tuber, D. S., Miller, D. D., Caris, K. A., Halter, R., Linden, F., & Hennessy, M. B. (1999). Dogs in animal shelters: Problems, suggestions and needed expertise. Psychological Science, 10, 379–386. van der Borg, J. A. M., Netto, W. J., & Planta, D. J. U. (1991). Behavioural testing of dogs in animal shelters to predict problem behaviour. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 32, 237–251. Weiss, E. (2006). SAFER certification. Emily Weiss consulting. Retrieved from http://www.emily weiss.com/certification.html Wells, D. L. (1996). The welfare of dogs in an animal rescue shelter. Belfast, UK: The Queens University of Belfast. Wells, D. L., & Hepper, P. G. (2000). Prevalence of behaviour problems reported by owners of dogs purchased from an animal rescue shelter. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 69, 55–65.

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7. Health and surgery [continued from pages 18 and 19] Breeding from animals with • A person must not, intentionally or recklessly, allow a dog with a heritable defect to breed heritable defects • The heritable defects that apply to dogs are Von Willebrand’s Disease (VWD), Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (NCL), Collie Eye Anamol (CEA/CH) Hereditary Cataract (HC) • Ref: S15C and Schedule Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 • A person must not sell or dispose of a dog with a heritable defect, if the person knows or is reckless as to whether the animal has a heritable defect, unless the person who sells or disposes of the animal advises the person to whom the animal is sold or disposed of, before the sale or disposal • Ref: S15C, Schedule Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986

De-sexing • A council may refuse to register dogs unless desexed, or exempt from the requirement to be desexed • Ref: 10A Domestic Animals Act 1994

Removal of dewclaws • A registered veterinarian must carry out any surgical procedures such as dewclaw removal • Ref: Code of Practice for Private Keeping of Dogs

Debarking • The procedure of debarking a dog is a prohibited procedure unless it is done by a vet and in accordance with the Code of Practice for the debarking of dogs. • Ref: S3, S11A Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 • Debarking of dogs must only be done as a last resort to prevent nuisance behaviour. • Ref: Code of Practice for Private Keeping of Dogs

Tail docking • The docking of the tail of a dog is a prohibited procedure unless it is done by a vet for the purpose of a therapeutic effect on the dog. • Ref: S3, S11A Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 Cropping ears • The cropping of the ears of a dog is a prohibited unless the procedure is done by a vet for the purpose of having a therapeutic effect on the dog. • Ref: S3, S11A Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986

Issue 83 - Autumn 2012 31

How to Create a Motivating Toy by Susan Garrett

How can I motivate my dog? was a topic of interest suggested by a member in the APDT Annual Conference 2011 Evaluation. Motivation is a theme that has been suggested in past APDT evaluations and is a fairly common focus of discussion amongst people who train their dog to participate in dog sports. The article which follows by Susan Garrett is just one approach a dog sports enthusiast might adapt to motivate their dog. If readers come across another article which may interest APDT members, please contact the editor. Many times in agility training the need will Now let's begin! arise to use a toy to motivate your dog to • Choose a throwable toy—i.e. one that you can move on without you... Example: teaching a "get toss, but won't roll too much, like a tug rope, or out" or doing weave poles or any sequence of a ball in a sock or a stuffed animal. obstacles for a gamble. People will often lament that • their dog is not "into" toys. Some dogs will not Attach this toy to a light line, string or lead that innately want to play with toys but you can create is about 3 meters long. the desire within them with a little work on your part. • Put the toy in a drawer in the midst of your living area—example, in the kitchen or somewhere else that is easily accessible at all times. • Before each meal start to act a bit loony. While saying really fun things to your dog (like "oh no", "what is it", "do you want this", "where's your toy", etc.) walk, dance, skip...basically act goofy while you make your way over to the special drawer. • S-l-o-w-l-y open up the drawer while continuing to say nutty things to your dog. If your dog is really motivated by food and has never • Stop talking momentarily (a pause for effect) shown any interest in toys, an option available to and then pull the toy out of the drawer, like you you is to take the motivating toy you have chosen to just unexpectedly came across a $50 bill and work with and simmer it in a pot of liver, or chicken run with it into the next room. broth to make it more attractive to your finicky • Swing the toy above the ground while acting hound. BE LEERY —if you choose to go this route, nutty to show the dog what a great time you are be very careful your dog is never given an having with this fun toy. opportunity to be alone with this wonderful smelling • toy or THEY MAY EAT IT. Surgery to remove this Dance around for a few more seconds and then from their gut will be neither pleasant nor cheap. toss the toy out like a lure on the end of a fishing pole. The key to training old Rover to play with you and your toy is that you are SINCERELY interested in • Drag it around but BE SURE THE DOG DOES playing with your dog. If you are truly not having fun, NOT GET HIS MOUTH ON IT. your dog will quickly realize this and will be even • This whole process should only take 1-2 more reluctant to join in. So be sure that you are minutes the first time you do it. both enjoying yourselves. • End your fun game, which didn't include your poor dog, by running back to the drawer, your toy in tow snatching it up and quickly putting it back in the drawer with a phrase like "oh no, it's gone". • You may then proceed about your regular routine as if nothing out of the ordinary just happened. (Continued on page 33)

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(Continued from page 32)

• Re-enact this bizarre performance 2-3 times a day. After the second day, allow the dog to get his mouth on the toy if he is really keen—but only for a few seconds. Pull on the line to try and steal it from him. Once you get it away (be sure you are taking it from him in a very informal, fun way), play with it a little more by yourself before quickly putting the toy away. • Gradually progress, letting him play with you and the toy (tug of war style) a little more each time until you have a dog who loves to see the toy come out. • Do not allow him to play with this toy at any other time except during this routine and, when • Before you know it you will have a dog who is as he is ready, at agility class. nutty about this toy as you apparently have been! • Ideally, you should remove any other toys that are lying around the house during this time. • This method works particularly well on new Leave out only things your dog can lie down and puppies. chew on by himself, such as his chew bones. • Be sure during this training/play session that you never give your dog any sort of verbal for For more information about Susan Garrett’s training anything he might do. for dog sports go to: www.clickerdogs.com

Other games to play with your dog... Dog Swim To APDT Members...There may be a local council somewhere in Australia that may be keen to try a Dog Swim . See if you can convince your local council to open their pools for dogs as outlined in the information provided on the Buhr Park Website: www.buhrparkdogswim.tripod.com and www.woofreport.com ...After the pool closes to people, Buhr park opens its doors to the dogs! This year's event is held Wednesday, September 7th from 3pm-8pm, Thursday, September 8th from 3pm-8pm, and Saturday, September 10th from 10am-6pm. Call to register your dog(s) today!...... The days after Labor Day (—the closing of the outdoor Buhr Park Pool in Ann Arbor) have become a very special holiday to local dog citizens and their owners. Since they have to clean the pool and empty it for the winter anyway, they let the pool go to dogs for a few days of unbelievable fun! This site is dedicated to a highlight of summer...Buhr Park Dog Swim Days...... Chlorine is turned off and run out in time for the dogs to come, making it safe for dogs...but, sorry...no people in the pool! Many dogs use it as a toilet...what can you say? They're dogs!...... Dogs around town are practicing their dog paddle strokes and searching for floating toys, all in preparation for upcoming Dog Swim Days! Just as local swimming pools across the country are closing for the summer season, lucky dogs in some areas are invited to splish, splash and frolic in the pool before it’s drained for the season...... At many events, there’s more than just swimming and socializing—you’ll find games and contests, like the “Biggest Splash” and “Coolest Wet Dog” contests at the event hosted by the Capital K9s, Madison, Wisconsin’s Police Department K9 Unit. Over 1000 dogs attended this event in 2010! You’ll also find everything from vendors with goodies for dogs to micro- chipping clinics and more. Even better, many events charge a nominal admission fee, which is typically donated to animal rescue groups, and animal rescue groups are often on hand with adoptable pets looking for their forever homes... Let us know if you are successful in holding a Dog Swim in your local area.

Issue 83 - Autumn 2012 33

Noticeboard

In June 2012 TERRY RYAN will be in Australia to conduct chicken workshops and training seminars. Terry’s workshops will be conducted in: * Perth from June 6th—10th, 2012 * Adelaide from June 13th—7th, 2012 * Brisbane from June 20th—24th, 2012

For further information contact: Georgia Karajas www.pawprintspettraining.com.au 0411 385 840 Alexis Davison www.scholarsincollars.com.au (08) 8568 5610 Oliver Beverly www.cleardogtraining.com.au (07) 3390 4272

News from South Australia: C.L.A.S.S for Dogs South Australian APDT members Sharon Crichton with her Dalmatian Pippa and Bodil Schou-Hansen and Coco the Dogue des Bordeaux are the first Australians to undertake the Canine Life and Social Skills (CLASS) BA for Dogs evaluation. The media release (See page 35) resulted in a radio interview with the Adelaide ABC and contact by Adelaide’s leading newspaper, “The Advertiser” (although, sadly it was not followed up by them). The CLASS program has been instigated by the APDT US, and Deb Millikan (APDT SA Regional Rep) and Georgia Karajas (APDT WA Rep) are currently the only two qualified Evaluators in Australia.

Deb would love to see this program instigated through each State and will be working with Alexis Davison (APDT Vice President) and the other Regional Reps to consider how this might be done. Deb has been asked by Ann Allums of the APDT US to “translate” the “feet and inches” of the American Handbooks into our metric system and to check for any other idiosyncrasies there may be between the two countries.

PUPPY CLASS HANDOUTS ON CD Polite Pets Month in March...turn to back page for more info by Dr Debbie Calnon * For pet owners and

* For dog trainers, councils and animal welfare organisations Dog trainers, shelters, pounds and local councils are also welcome to participate in Polite Pets Month. Just organise an event or communication campaign to raise awareness about the importance of pet socialisation and reward-based training, and Colour & B&W to print as you can use the Polite Pets Month umbrella to promote your event. handouts for your puppy class By organising a Polite Pets Month activity, you're supporting a nationwide clients campaign to make life better for both pets and their owners. P: (03) 9807 2751 The information above is from the Australian Veterinary Association website. E: [email protected] Go to www.ava.com.au for more information about Polite Pets month.

34 APDT Australia Newsletter Issue 83 - Autumn 2012

Media Release Dalmatian given death sentence is now a C.L.A.S.S. act When Sharon Crichton adopted her Dalmatian pup, ‘Pippa’, little did she know this gorgeous dog would present her with one of the greatest yet most rewarding challenges of her life. As Pippa grew it became more and more obvious the puppy suffered from anxiety related aggression. The aggression would show itself in the form of resource guarding where Pippa would growl and snap around things she saw as ‘high value’ including her food, toys and bed. By the age of 7 months one vet had even suggested Pippa be euthanized. However Sharon refused to give up on the feisty, beautiful Dalmatian and with the help of a Veterinary Behaviourist Pippa has made amazing progress. On Friday 13 th January, 2012 , Sharon and Pippa, together with Bodil Schou-Hansen and Coco (the Dogue des Bordeaux) were the first students in Australia to gain their C.L.A.S.S. B.A. For Dogs through Canine Behavioural School in Adelaide, South Australia. C.L.A.S.S. (Canine Life and Social Skills) is an educational program developed by the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) in the United States to promote dog training focused on the use of positive reinforcement and to strengthen relationships between humans and their canine companions. The objectives of C.L.A.S.S. are to: • Promote reward-based training • Strengthen dog/owner relationships through shared activity and fun, positive training • Encourage dog owners to participate in ongoing training and activities with their dogs • Value the real-life skills of dog/owner teams • Educate pet owners in dog behaviour The three levels of the program are named after human university degree programs: the B.A. for Dogs™ (Bachelor’s level), the M.A. for Dogs™ (Master’s level), and the Ph.D. for Dogs™ (Doctorate level). The skills in each level vary in difficulty and distractions. Canine Behavioural School’s Head Instructor, Deb Millikan, is one of only two Australians currently qualified as a C.L.A.S.S. Evaluator and is very proud of her canine and human students. “I believe that today Canine Behavioural School has had an Australian first. Sharon and her Dalmatian, Pippa and Bodil and her Dogue, Coco have successfully gained their B.A. titles at the C.L.A.S.S. evaluations today,” she said. “It is particularly pleasing that Pippa gained her title as she was a rescue from death's door. A severe resource guarder as a puppy, with the help of a veterinary behaviourist Sharon has been able to build Pippa's confidence and abilities using positive methods to the point that she is able to be outdoors, with other dogs around her and her food and undertake an evaluation for C.L.A.S.S. This is a tribute to Sharon's hard work and the positive training methods used by Canine Behavioural School.” Deb says Canine Behavioural School is the first dog training school in South Australia and currently one of only two dog training schools in Australia, offering the C.L.A.S.S. program to students. “The program helps dog owners (we prefer to call them guardians) build the skills they need to have a happy and well trained dog at home. Each class develops the guardians’ ability to teach their dogs good manners and an evaluation at the end of each term can result with their dogs being titled with a B.A., M.A. or a PhD. —with or without Honours!” To arrange an interview and photo opportunity please contact Deb Millikan on 8431 9134 or [email protected] To find out more about C.L.A.S.S. go to: www.mydoghasclass.com To find out more about Canine Behavioural School go to: www.positivelydogs.com

by Samantha Catford, member number 776 with Debra Millikan, member number 701

Issue 83 - Autumn 2012 35

From the Library Shelf

The sport of Rally Obedience has been around for courses and gives greater detail for each of the Rally a while, but only quite recently taken up by many signs, including what they mean, how to perform members of Australia's canine community. From all each exercise, plus the footwork and final accounts, there has been a groundswell of support behaviours required to complete each exercise. with very enthusiastic participants—both human and B-0602 Click Your Way to Rally Obedience by canine. Pamela Dennison Your APDT library has several items about Rally O Pam explains the exercises B-0006 Rally O. An Introduction to Rally Style required in all levels of U.S. APDT Obedience by Bud Kramer (Charles L. Kramer) and AKC style Rally O. She gives Bud Kramer was the innovator of clear and details instructions on the first American Agility how to perform each Rally-O Program and was also the 'station'. Her methods are designed developer of Rally Obedience, or to inspire fun and positive bonding “Rally-O” style of obedience. sessions between you and your dog. According to Pam, the ‘moves’ This is Bud's first book on Rally for Rally will not only help your dog and although basic by comparison to be more responsive and cooperative in daily life, to more recent books, is by no but will help you and your dog to work better as a means one to be left on the shelf! team in obedience, agility, freestyle or any of the It describes procedures for multitude of other canine activities you may choose. running a Rally trial, judging the performance, Pam discusses training with positive methods, the equipment required, plus information about the Rally many reasons for competing in Rally O and the classes (read levels ) and exercises. It also contains differences between standard Obedience and Rally descriptions of AKC (American Kennel Club) Rally Obedience. She explains, in great detail, the signs, how to prepare a course and some examples rudiments of Rally O and has included many training of Rally course designs. games to play with your dog to help you achieve the Bud's purpose for writing this book was to mimic results you want. She discusses many training methods used by handlers during training sessions problems and gives positive solutions to each one. and activities such as hunting, search and rescue, Pam uses Rally O exercises in both her pet and police work, drug detection, agility or play activities aggressive dog classes. In this book she teaches where the dog and handler work closely together as behaviours for “living in the real world, with real dogs a team with the handler giving directions and and real life scenarios” which can be “instrumental encouragement as needed to help the dog perform for getting you and your dog out of real danger”. This the activity or exercises required. Bud's belief was is a book that would interest not only those who that this could provide an enthusiastic, fun filled want to train or compete in Rally O, but anyone who experience to be enjoyed by both dog and handler. would like to learn the skills required for obedience training or to give our canine companions the skills rd B-0508 Rally O. The Style of Rally Obedience, 3 required to live with their human companions. Edition. AKC Exercises, Signs & Courses by Bud Kramer B-0610 Rally On. A Training Manual by Marie Sawford In this edition of his book, Bud goes into much closer detail of Marie explains that the mantra for all the elements of Rally O. Rally style of obedience is “Attitude over precision” . As with This edition includes the history Pam Dennison's book, Marie's of Rally O, the Rally Obedience book is full of handling and Concept, General Procedures, training tips to help you and your the philosophy and concept of dog compete in this style of judging Rally, handling obedience. The key difference is techniques, communication Marie's book describes the signs between dog and handler, and moves required for AKC, commands used, a detailed list and descriptions of APDT (U.S.A.) and CARO the 3 levels in Rally. He explains how to design Rally (Continued on page 37)

36 APDT Australia Newsletter Issue 83 - Autumn 2012

(Continued from page 36)

(Canadian Association of Rally Obedience). This is of particular interest to us as Australia's Rally O is based on the Canadian format. Marie also focuses on strong foundations and relationship skills, obtained by using games and a variety of training exercises. Marie breaks each exercise down to basic components to help you understand and succeed in each step along the way. Marie's book also explains the equipment, obstacles and objects used in Rally O. Also included are several Rally courses for each style of Rally, ranging from the basic to the highest level in each discipline.

Happy Reading! by Jacky Walker, APDT Librarian, member number 515

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Issue 83 - Autumn 2012 37

APDT ADVERTISING POLICY • APDT Aust. will not advertise training services or training courses. • All material in the Newsletter must be in line with the APDT Aust Vision & Mission Statements and the Code of Ethics. • Placement of material in the Newsletter is at the discretion of the Editor and Committee. • No paid advertising is accepted. • Members may place merchandise advertisements free of charge in the Newsletter, but must include a discount for Members. • Events may be advertised in a maximum of five lines. • Positioning of advertisements is at the discretion of the Editor and Committee. • The publication of any advertising material does not constitute the endorsement of APDT Aust for the Event or Merchandise. If you have an event you would like to advertise in the APDT Newsletter, forward details to: [email protected]

APDT Website & Chat List For up-to-date information about APDT, visit our website at: W: www.apdt.com.au To join APDT Australia’s internet chat list for members, simply send an email with details of your name, email address and membership number to: E: [email protected] Ms Jenny Daniel is the moderator of the chat list E: [email protected] Ms Sue Bailey is the coordinator of the website

Please be aware of the current rules for members using the Chatlist: 1. No flaming. Be polite to all other members. Disagree if you wish but do it politely. Respect your fellow members and other trainers. 2. Sign all your posts with at least your name (first name last name) and your location (City or State). 3. Do not advertise events, workshops, seminars, etc. Send details to the list owner/moderator, see address below, and those approved will be posted by the list moderator. 4. Always change the subject line to reflect the contents of the post, and delete all excess quotes from the previous post to which you are replying. 5. Please restrict your posts to training topics . Matters of APDT policy or practice should be referred to the Secretary. Jenny Daniel, Chatlist Moderator E: [email protected]

Library The library contains books, CDs and DVDs that may be Items should be returned to the same address. borrowed for free by APDT members. Please inform the librarian if you discover a fault or defect with Borrowing rules any library item. Only Financial Members of APDT Australia may borrow from this For information, bookings, email Jacky at: [email protected] library. Library items are for the use of APDT members only and When ordering, please identify all items by number and are NOT to be forwarded by members to non APDT members. description. There is no borrowing fee. Please do not ask the librarian to make a selection for you. Postal fees Items should be returned to this address: APDT will pay for postage of library items to members. Members are still responsible for all return postage costs. Jacky Walker Should any item be damaged or lost, the member will be 2 Lowing Close required to pay replacement costs. Forestville, NSW, 2087 The maximum borrowing time is usually one month. Requests Where appropriate, due to either the inability to replace or the for extensions may be made to the Librarian at: cost of replacing goods, APDT will use Express Post to post [email protected] such items out to members. Loans from the Library of such items There is a late fee of $5 per week for overdue items. Please will need to be returned Express Post, as determined and include the fee when you return overdue items. advised by the Librarian. Please ensure that items are protected when posting.

Disclaimer: APDT Australia Inc. does not necessarily agree with nor condone the information contained in library items that have been supplied on loan to

LEGAL THINGS Members: May request a copy of APDT’s Constitution, postal votes or proxy forms from the Secretary. Are entitled to vote at meetings either in person, by post or by appointing a proxy to vote on their behalf at the meeting. All postal or proxy votes must be signed by the member and either posted, faxed or scanned and emailed to the Secretary at least 24 hours before the meeting or they will not be counted. Only APDT Members are eligible to vote and are encouraged to put forward their ideas to the APDT Secretary for inclusion on the Agenda of the next General meeting. Logo Usage: The APDT logo is the property of APDT. Full Members only may apply to use the logo for advertising and publicity purposes. Newsletter: The Editor and/or the Committee reserve the right to refuse to include any item for publication. Articles that do not conform with the APDT Code of Ethics will not be included. Articles published in this Newsletter may not be reprinted or copied without the written permission of APDT Inc. Editorial Submission: The Newsletter is an educational forum available to all members who wish to submit articles and opinions on matters of general interest to our members. APDT encourages the submission of all original written materials for reprint. Authors must ensure material submitted does not infringe copyright regulation. Please include approval from third parties. The Editor takes no responsibility for incorrect or misleading information appearing in articles in the Newsletter. Correspondence: All correspondence must be addressed to: The Secretary, APDT Australia Inc. PO Box 3122, BANKSTOWN SQUARE NSW 2200

38 APDT Australia Newsletter Issue 83 - Autumn 2012

Top Tips On Managing Your APDT Membership

Membership Enquiries: ∗ APDT does not employ a full time membership manager . Allow at least 7 days for responses to emailed membership enquiries. Renewing Online (preferred option): ∗ When using Direct Deposit—your membership number or the payment slip number must be included on your payment details. ∗ When paying membership by Cheque —please print out the online receipt which includes your membership details and attach the receipt to your cheque. ∗ Online transactions which are unable to be identified (by payment slip and/or membership number) cannot be processed. This may result in you being deemed an unfinancial member. Renewing Offline: ∗ You must complete an APDT membership form, which can be downloaded from the APDT website. ∗ Attach the completed form to your cheque when mailing your membership OR if you are sending in the form by making a direct deposit, please attach a copy of the deposit slip to the membership form. Remember, you must put the payment slip or your membership number as a reference on the direct deposit. ∗ If the appropriate documentation is not received, or we cannot trace your direct deposit, you may be deemed unfinancial. Trainers Directory: ∗ Members must log on to the APDT website to update their details. This can be done at any time. ∗ The Membership Secretariat is unable to update the Trainers Directory. Forgotten your password? or Need a Password? ∗ You need your membership number and password to log into the APDT website. ∗ If you have forgotten your password or don’t have one, click on Forgot login? or Forgot membership number? links or go to the APDT help page on the website. Membership Number: ∗ Members who become unfinancial will be issued with a new membership number. ∗ If you have forgotten or can’t find your membership number click on Forgot login? or Forgot membership number? links or go to the APDT help page on the website. ∗ Your membership number is included on the address label on the envelope containing your newsletter. ∗ Membership cards are no longer issued. ∗ Each member is responsible for keeping a record of their membership number for future reference. Changing your mailing address or email address? ∗ Members must log on to the APDT website to update their details. This can be done at any time. ∗ Ensure you change your email address in your profile before you can no longer use the email address currently in your profile. Receipts: ∗ Receipts are available online. ∗ Receipts may be accessed by logging onto the website and going to view profile . ∗ Please print off your receipt from the website. Newsletters: ∗ Back issues of the APDT Newsletter cannot be mailed out if you are not a financial member at the time of distribution. ∗ Recent issues of the newsletter can be accessed via the APDT website by financial members. The membership process is maintained by On Q Conference Support. Contact details are: E: [email protected] P: (02) 6288 3998 Fax: (02) 6161 4719 All mail regarding membership should be directed to APDT’s mailing address: APDT Australia PO Box 3122 Bankstown Square NSW 2200 Note: APDT membership renewals are being brought into line to ensure all renewals will fall due on 1 July each financial year

Issue 83 - Autumn 2012 39

March is Polite Pets Month

Polite Pets Month has been proposed by shelters, pounds and local councils are also Australian Veterinary Behaviour Interest Group welcome to participate in Polite Pets Month . Just (AVBIG) and the Australian Veterinary organise an event or communication campaign to Association in order to be proactive in dealing with raise awareness about the importance of pet Pet Behaviour problems. socialisation and reward-based training and you can It came about after the fatal attack in St Albans last use the Polite Pets Month umbrella to promote year and the response of the Victorian government your event. This is a good time to promote your to tighten dog control laws. The month aims to skills to your local veterinarian because they will be increase knowledge and awareness of pet encouraged to develop an association with behaviour topics such as training, aggression, reputable trainers who use reward based training. mental health and treatment options among pet By organising a Polite Pets Month activity, you're owners and veterinarians. It also aims to promote supporting a nationwide campaign to make life best-practice approaches to pet behaviour by better for both pets and their owners! veterinarians and trainers. by Dr Terry Theakstone, member number , 1649 There are a range of resources that will be available on line at the AVA site. Media releases and events References will incorporate media veterinarians as well as Dixon, C. A., Mahabee-Gittens, E. M., et al. Dog bite prevention: What children know. Injury Prevention 16 : A169-A170. others working with dog bites. Multiple studies Kimble, R., Dallow, N. Franklin, R. Wallis, B. (2011). Dog bites in demonstrate that education is important to prevent Australian children. Teaching children how to behave around dog bites. Wilson J. Fleur Dwyer (2003) dogs can reduce the incidence. MJA 195 (11/12): 635-636. demonstrated that children perform unsafe practices Meints, K., Racca, A., et al. How to prevent dog bite injuries? Children misinterpret dogs facial expressions. Injury Prevention and that the children’s parents do not recognise the 16 : A68-A68. risks involved. A dog safety program was shown to be most effective when the parents were also taught the information regarding safe behaviours. Studies have shown that over 70% of children have not received dog bite education (Dixon, Mahabee- Gittens et al.) and that 70% of 4 year old children interpret aggressive dog faces as smiling happy faces.(Meints, Racca et al.) In December last year the Australian Medical Journal published an article, entitled Dog Bites in Australian Children , in which it was described that 88% of dog bites occur within the home environment and that 63% of the children had interacted with the dog before the attack. The conclusion stated that “training for dogs and education for dog owners and children can reduce the incidence of dog bites.” (Kimble 2011) Education of all parties is required and Polite Pets Month hopes to contribute to this education process. Veterinarians and nurses will be offered webinar training to encourage them to promote behaviour within their practices and in particular to promote reward based training. AVBIG has produced a training document the link to which is: www.ava.com.au/sites/default/files/AVA_website/ pdfs/Reward-based-training-brochure-WEB.pdf Veterinarians have the enviable position of having input to owners however the necessity of a team The fact sheet, pictured above, is produced by approach in dealing with behaviour problems will be promoted during training webinars. Dog trainers, Dr Sophia Yin and is just one of the free resources available on the AVBIG website .

40 APDT Australia Newsletter Issue 83 - Autumn 2012