TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES

Many new ideas in MPM involve technology

Many of the new ideas that delegates take away from MPM conferences involve technology. MPM technology has arrived with a rush in the last 5 years. At UAM5 in Sydney, delegates studied the trade display for information on microchip identification, anti-barking collars, equipment for handling dogs and cats (eg. cages, gloves, catchpoles etc) and so on.

Nowadays, most councils use computers to streamline their records management, sophisticated safety equipment is the norm, microchip identification has become commonplace as an adjunct to traditional registration tags, and owners are embracing technological solutions to behaviour problems eg. by using citronella anti-barking collars and canine invisible enclosures.

No-one questions the technological feasibility of these items. But some people question the real value of some of the MPM technology on the market. They question how well it will deliver in the long-term. When all the promotional hype is put aside, what is really on offer?

We canít review the pros and cons of every new bit of MPM technology here. In any case, the pros and cons will vary from municipality to municipality. But we can suggest the types of questions councils should be asking before they spend their limited funds on systems and devices that might not deliver. In essence, councils need to follow the basic strategic approach.

New technology is not always good technology. But some councils under pressure from vested interests and an intractable dog situation may be tempted by the gee-whiz solution. We caution against embracing new systems and devices unless the equipment and the concepts upon which they are based stand up to scrutiny.

Using the basic strategic approach for evaluation

The basic strategic approach can be used to make all technology decisions. The exact evaluation questions in step 6. will vary from product to product, but the questions will be similar whatever the product.

For example, evaluation of Brand X anti-barking collars as an effective method for owners to deal with their dog's barking could develop as follows:

Step 1: diagnose

ëOur most common complaints concern barking.í

Step 2: agree on treatment goals

ëWe would like to offer owners a method of dealing with their dogís barking.í

Step 3: consider the treatment options

ëWe need a variety of approaches:

Þ community education for long-term solutions

Þ referral of owners with problem dogs to behaviour specialists for advice on enhancing the dogís social and physical environment, and on correction of barking behaviour

Þ support for owners in their efforts to take responsibility eg. Brand X anti-barking collars on rent-and-buy schemesí

Step 4: choose the best treatment

ëWe have most of these options in place. Letís supplement them with the anti-barking collar approach. Brand X anti-barking collars are being used by many councils. Weíll buy a few and try them out.í

Step 5: implement the plan

Step 6: review the outcome

ëLetís look at the following questions:

Þ Were the collars functional? Did they do what they claimed to do?

Þ Were the collars reliable? What was the loss/breakdown rate?

Þ Were the collars cruel?

Þ Could owners afford the collars? Were the collars easy to use? Did owners need training to use the collars?

Þ Did the collars cure the dogsí barking habits, or did they only work while attached?

Þ Did the collars scheme actually reduce barking problems? Will the scheme deliver lasting benefit if used in conjunction with owner education approaches?

Þ Did the collar scheme enhance other MPM activities and programs in the municipality? For example, did the scheme enhance the MPM Unitís standing in the community?

Þ Did the scheme offer more benefits to the MPM program than it cost? Are there other collars that would do a better job? Should we be looking at other more cost-effective approaches?í

ëThe Brand X anti-barking collars didnít cure barking habits of particular dogs, but they did provide a humane, affordable stop-gap solution while other more long-lasting measures were implemented.í

Step 7: modify the strategy in the light of the review

ëWeíll continue to emphasise long-term solutions to barking problems, but we will also provide some Brand X anti-barking collars on a strictly user-pays basis.í