From the Troop’s leader:
Hi, My name is Chris Puls. I lived in Cincinnati for 11
years before moving just across the border into Indiana. I have over
25 years of experience with dog training, dog showing, behavior
counseling, and I love teaching dogs!
The idea of starting a local troop came to me after I had
attended an operant conditioning dog-training seminar in October of
2000 in Chicago. This is where I met a Dog Scout for the first
time. When I asked the handler about the badges on her dog’s
cape, she explained that her dog was a Dog Scout and that the badges
are what the dog had earned so far, she went on to tell me what
activity each patch represented.
Now I was really intrigued. She told me about the Dog
Scouts of America (DSA) website (www.dogscouts.org ) and I checked it out as
soon as I got home. After seeing the loads of information
available as well as agreeing with the mission statements, suggested
training methods, etc. I joined on the spot! I also
signed up for the camp in July 2001. I then contacted Lonnie,
the founder of DSA, about joining a nearby troop.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t one yet. This is when I met
Sheila, who was starting a troop in N. Ky. We combined our
efforts and began the "Buckeye Blue Grass Brigade." Sheila was
a big help and I wish she could have stayed in town, but she moved
back to Michigan.
I have the distinction of being the first person to start a troop
without having attended a camp first! With the help of Sheila
and some great people in the troop, this troop has also gained the
status of being among the top 5 ‘largest and most active’.
During the summer of 2002, I earned the title of Scoutmaster and can
now certify dogs for their Dog Scout title. I am always
working on my certification as a Dog Scout Evaluator and can test
dogs for many of the specialty badges as well. I’m on the
core staff of the Dog Scouts of America organization and go to
Michigan 3 or 4 times per year to work as the Administrative
Assistant during the week-long camps held in St Helen, MI. I'm
on the DSA Board of Directors and in August of 2004, was put in
charge of the certification program. This means I oversee and help
train all the other Troop Leaders, Scoutmasters and Dog Scout
Evaluators in the organization. In early 2006, I accepted the
future position as the next President of Dog Scouts of
America (National) when Lonnie Olson, the current President (and
founder) retires in September of 2008! I've been learning
the "ropes" of that position since 2006.
Dog Scouts has taken over my life, but it’s a very positive thing
and a labor of love. I’ve had the opportunity to meet some
very nice people and their companions because of this
organization. I look forward to meeting you and your furry
kid(s).
Sincerely,
Chris
Puls
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The Missions of Dog Scouts of America
include:
_________________________________________________________________________
SOCIALIZATION and TRAINING:
We educate people about the
importance of early socialization of their puppies. This is the
first step to a well-adjusted adult dog that is less reactive and
less phobic in unusual situations. Proper socialization (the
introduction to all sorts of people, animals, places, sights and
sounds in a neutral or positive environment) is the key to having a
calm, confident adult dog. Well-socialized dogs will be less
likely to panic in unusual situations and bolt, bark or bite.
Dogs have social behavior vastly different from our own, and it is
our job as responsible parents to be sure to teach them what is
accepted behavior in the home as well as in public. We
advocate all positive reinforcement training methods, which is less
stressful for both the dog and the parent, and is fun and easy to
learn. As parents we must encourage (reward) behaviors
that we find acceptable (good behavior). We must stop
perpetuating "bad" (unwanted) behavior by rewarding it with our
attention, and instead--redirect the dog to a behavior that we CAN
reward. By equipping the dog with some basic manners and
control, rather than letting him grow up as he pleases, there will
be far fewer strained relationships that often result in the
decision to part with the dog.
NEUTERING (Spaying or Castrating):
We strongly advocate neutering all pet dogs. The health
benefits alone make neutering your dog a worthwhile choice.
Early neutering greatly reduces the risk of the dog developing
cancers of the reproductive organs. Breeding is best left to
the professionals who conscientiously select the dogs with the best
characteristics of the breed so that the breed quality is maintained
or improved by the mating. Neutering your pet will eliminate
much of the dog's motivation for wandering and fighting, making
relationships between the dog and parent stronger. At the
same time, it will eliminate the possibility of an unwanted
pregnancy from "accidental" breedings.
CONTAINMENT and CARE:
As pet parents, we must be responsible for our dog's well
being. If we choose to bring a dog into our family, we must
commit to that dog's care and well being for his/her entire
lifetime. This means proper training, nutrition, shelter,
preventative medicine and veterinary care. It is the parent's job to
keep the dog safe and at home, and not to allow him to wander
loose, where he can be injured, killed or assumed homeless and get
picked up. We recommend that people contain their dog inside
their home with a fenced yard or play area for exercise. We do
not recommend tying a dog to a doghouse and sentencing him to a life
of lonely exile away from the family he loves. This causes too
many behavior problems, and is not conducive to a good parent/pet
relationship.
RESPONSIBLE DOG PARENTING AND THE HUMAN-CANINE
BOND:
DSA strives to make dogs welcome in more public places by
encouraging people to practice responsible pet parenting. We
ask people to clean up waste and dog hair that their dogs deposit,
and to clean up after non-responsible owners too. We encourage
people to respect leash laws and to train their dogs using positive
methods so that their dogs are well behaved and under control in
public. As the general public sees the many joys of being a
responsible parent with a well behaved dog, they will hopefully
be inspired to likewise manage, train and bond with their own
dog. DSA encourages interaction through the many fun and
educational sports and activities available to dogs and their
parents. The Dog Scout motto is: "Let us learn new things that
we may become more helpful." The dogs become more helpful not
just because they have learned valuable skills, but because the
learning of each new skill is a bonding experience between dog and
parent.
THE HUMAN-CANINE BOND:
Dog's are more than just pets; they are family members, teachers,
and good medicine for our bodies and souls. It has been
medically proven that stroking a pet dog will lower a person's blood
pressure, slow the heart rate and aid in relaxation in
stressful situations.
Evidence points to the fact that a positive relationship with
animals fosters healthier interpersonal relations. Children
that form attachments to pets and learn nurturing behavior during
childhood will benefit by having optimal functioning as children and
adults.
In recent years, we have seen dogs performing their "magic" -
termed "Animal Assisted Therapy" - in schools, hospitals, and
nursing homes. Animals in the workplace are also seen more
frequently now, and are a means of reducing employee stress and
improving productivity.
Animal association results in greater success in psychotherapy
sessions, improved behavior of children with severe handicaps,
better socialization of young children with their peers, and
increased empathy in preschool children.
Interaction with our pets benefits us emotionally and
physically. We develop in positive ways, and can relate to
others with more empathy and caring. We become better
equipped to deal with life's many challenges.
Join us today to help us achieve these
missions.
