Dog Scout Troop 107
Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Tri-state area
About Us
Our Background and Missions
From the troop's founder:
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 uniform, she explained that her dog was a Dog Scout and that the badges were what the dog had earned so far. She went on to explain what some of them represented.
To the right: Chris with
Coyote and Baron von
Beaglestein "Bear"
Now I was really intrigued. She told me about the Dog Scouts of America (DSA) website (www.DogScouts.org) and I surfed it as soon as I got home. After seeing the loads of information available as well as agreeing with the mission statements, their training methods, etc. I joined on the spot! I also signed up for camp being held in July of the next year. I then contacted Lonnie, the founder of DSA and inquired about joining a troop. She gave me the email of a person in KY, but the email bounced and I figured the odds of that person being close to Cincinnati was low so I decided to get my own troop started. It wasn't until memberships from my troop started to get confused with the KY troop that I found out she WAS close, in Covington!
I met with Sheila and we combined our efforts and troop members to begin the "Buckeye BlueGrass Brigade" (AKA: The BBGB's). Sheila was a big help, because she had at least BEEN to camp and had experienced Dog Scout activities first hand. However, soon after we met, she had to move back to Michigan so I was on my own. But my enthuziasm must have been contagious because Troop 107 continued to grow! We are still one of the largest and most active troops in the organization. And I have the recognition as the first person to start a troop without having first attended a camp!
Left: Chris and her Malinois "Dazzle" (6 mo. old)
competing in Rally
During the summer of 2002, I earned the title of Scoutmaster so I could certify dogs and their parents as Dog Scouts. I am always working on my certification status for the various specialty badges, and I'm now able to certify teams for almost all of the badges! I'm on the core staff for the camps, which means I go to MI three or more times a year to work as an instructor and the administrative assistant during the camps. I'm on the Board of Directors and in 2004, I was put in charge of the Certification Program to create more Troop Leaders, Scoutmasters and Evaluators as well as helping those currently in those positions. In early 2006, I accepted the future position of President of Dog Scouts of America and started learning the ropes of that position. I took over the job officially on April 2nd of 2009, when Lonnie officially retired as President. She continues on the Board and as Camp Director.
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 whom I consider friends along with their furry companions because of this organization. I look forward to meeting you and your furry kids too!
Sincerely,
Chris Puls
In January 2011, the troop experienced a transition period. Chris stepped down as the troop leader after 10 years and a trio of troop members have stepped up to help lead the troop into the future.
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The Missions of Dog Scouts of America include:
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SOCIALIZATION AND TRAINING
We educate people about the importance of early and continued socialization of their puppies. This is the first step to a well-adjusted adult dog that is less reactive and less phobic in normal as well as unusual situations. Proper socialization includes introducing the puppy/dog to all sorts of people, animals, sights and sounds in a way in which the puppy/dog feels neutral or positive about these things- be sure the pup doesn't become afraid. This sample socialization check list gives examples of all the things you could introduce your puppy to and allows you to put a check mark next to each item as it's introduced. There are seven columns, one for each day of the week. Your pup should experience each of these at least a few times before he or she is 16 weeks old.
Properly socialized dogs will be less likely to panic in unusual situations which can lead to bolting away, biting and/or defensive barking. Dogs normal behaviors are vastly different from our human behaviors and from our concept of "well behaved." It is our job as responsible parents to be sure to teach them to live in our world and to teach them what we want from them in our homes as well as in public. Dogs are not born knowing this information!
DSA promotes the use of positive reinforcement training methods which are less stressful for both the dog and the parent, fun to use and easy to learn. It involves rewarding the behaviors we like as soon as the dog does them and gently redirecting the dog away from behaviors we don't like and then helping him to choose to do what we do like so we can reward that choice.
By equiping the dog with some self-control and basic skills, rather than letting him grow up doing as he pleases, there will be far fewer strained relationships, which can result in the dog being relegated to living alone in the yard or being taken to a shelter. Some simple education for people and training for the dogs can greatly reduce the flood of pets into the shelter and rescue system!
Here is an example of some of the things you can teach a young dog: Training plan with check-boxes to keep track of what was practiced each day/week.
NEUTERING (Spaying or Castrating):
We strongly advocate the neutering of all dogs kept as pets. Breeding is best left to the people who make that their mission in life and educate themselves about things like genetics, the health of their breed, proper care and raising of the adults before breeding and the pups they produce, being sure the pups go to the right homes and so much more! The goal of any mating should be to better the breed, increase the health and working ability and to produce stable and safe dogs. If your dog is not altered, then it is your very serious responsibility to be extra vigilant about their containment so that no accidental matings occur. There is a great deal of research being done into neutering and it's effects on dogs. Please do your research and make the best decision for your dog and your lifestyle.
CONTAINMENT AND CARE:
As parents, we are responsible for our dogs mental and physical well being. Before we choose to bring a dog into our family, we must make a commitment to care for that dog for his or her entire lifetime. This means educating ourselves about humane training, nutrition, safe containment, preventative medicine and veterinary care before the dog comes through the door. It is the parent's job to keep the dog safe and at home and not allow him to wander loose where he can be injured, killed or assumed homeless and picked-up. We recommend that people contain their dog inside their home, protected from weather and teasing kids, with a fenced yard or play area for daily exercise. We are against tying a dog to a dog house and sentancing him to a life of lonely exile away from the family he loves. This causes too many behavior problems and is not a good life for the dog or the relationship between parent and dog.
RESPONSIBLE PARENTING:
DSA strives to make dogs welcome in more public places by encouraging people to practice responsibility for their dogs. We ask that people clean-up after their own dog and the dogs of irresponsible owners who create dog bans due to large amounts of abandoned dog waste. We encourage people to respect leash laws because there are so many good reasons to keep your dog on a leash! Here's the Top 10 reasons to keep your dog on a leash (also reasons to keep your dog contained!)
We encourage people to train their dogs so that they are well mannered and under control in public. As other dog owners see the many joys of being a responsible parent and living with (and going places with) a well mannered dog, hopefully they will be inspired to manage, train and bond with their own dog. This will make life more enjoyable for them and their dog!
DSA encourages people to find dog sports and activities that their dogs enjoy. There are many fun and educational sports and activities available to dogs. 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 each new skill learned is a bonding experience between the dog and the parent.
THE HUMAN-CANINE BOND:
Dogs are more than just pets; they are members of the family, teachers and good medicine for our bodies and souls. It has been medically proven that stroking a beloved dog will lower a person's blood pressure, slow the heart rate and aid in relaxation during stressful situations.
Evidence points to the fact that a positive relationship with animals fosters healthier interpersonal relations. Children that form loving attachments to pets and learn nuturing behaviors during childhood will benefit by having optimal social functioning as 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 improved 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 educate others about these important facts and reduce the numbers of dogs being surrendered to shelters and being killed .
