Dog training and management: are we maximising our opportunities?

Dr Gaille Perry

In this paper, the relationship between obedience training and responsible dog ownership is examined. The training available to owners at obedience classes in South-east Queensland is also reviewed. A profile is obtained of the dogs which begin training, and the reasons for enrolling in classes is examined. Based on this information, some suggestions are made to improve the outcomes of training. The behaviour (of dog and owner) required by councils in an attempt to reduce dog complaints and promote responsible dog ownership are also examined. A responsible dog ownership education package, which addresses both of the issues, is described.

About the author

Gaille Perry, BVSc Dip Ed BEdStud
Animal and Veterinary Service Section
Ithaca College of TAFE
Fulcher Road
Red Hill, Queensland

In my high school and undergraduate days I bred, showed and trained dogs, and became interested in dog behaviour.

After gaining my veterinary degree I worked in my owned mixed practice for 10 years. Then in 1983 I qualified as a teacher and began teaching veterinary nursing at Ithaca TAFE College.

Ithaca College has conducted an in-service course for animal control offciers for several years, and my teaching contact with these students (supplemented by contact with advocates of responsible pet ownership such as Dick Murray and Jenny Brennan) introduced me to the probelms of urban animal management.

In 1990 our section ran a short course for RSPCA refuge workers and a close working relationship with that organisation ensued. This has enabled me to view at first hand the results of lack of planning and responsibility in pet ownership. Early in 1992 I developed and taught a course for dog obedience instructors on dog behaviour and training. Also in 1992 I joined a steering committee to introduce a course in responsbile pet ownership into Queensland primary schools.

I fervently beleive that animal control will be just that, control, unless we work at changing attitudes towards pet ownership. Only then will the subject become animal management.

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