Dog Scout Parent Written
Certification
The purpose of these
questions is to be sure that everyone that is a parent of a Dog
Scout has the same high level of training and understanding as well
as the ability to spread the missions of DSA in the most positive
and productive way.
This is difficult to measure
without face-to-face observation. However, Dog Scouts of America is
no longer only in America. The ripples
created by the start of DSA have spread across borders and the
oceans. We encourage people to help their dogs become all that they
can be, to start troops and become both Scoutmasters and Evaluators,
but the need for worldwide travel to get the word out is
prohibitive. For this reason, this written evaluation was
developed for use in conjunction with the in-person or videotaped
evaluations done by a Scoutmaster.
In order to get the Dog
Scout certification on your dog(s), we would like to know that you
are able to answer the questions below.
There is no time limit for
this and you may use the materials and references that are
recommended and listed in the “Start a Troop” and “Worldwide Dog
Scout Test” sections of the DogScouts.org website. These items can
also be found at the bottom of the Dog Scout
Way page. Some of the questions cannot be answered without the
knowledge available in these recommended
resources.
You are encouraged to review
your answers with your local Scoutmaster (if one is available.)
Please don’t feel you have to limit your responses to the
space provided. Feel free to add paper for your answers if
needed. Just be sure that it is easy for the Scoutmaster to tell
which answer goes with which question. You can use the
cut/paste function to place the text on this page into a Word
document if you prefer.
You may answer these
questions for your own edification (if you have already achieved the
Dog Scout title), or the questions can be given by a Scoutmaster to
verify that you have the knowledge needed to pass the parent's
portion of the Dog Scout certification.
You are very important to
the mission of spreading Dog Scouts wisdom far and wide. Thank
you for your interest in this
organization.
Please print legibly (if you
print this out) or return the following in electronic format to your
local Scoutmaster. If no certified Scoutmaster is available,
your answers can be sent or emailed to the Certification Program
Director: DogScouts@hotmail.com Chris Puls,
P.O. Box
158, Harrison Ohio 45030.
Part 1- The Dog Scout
Mission and the Dog Scout
Way:
1) What are the missions of
Dog Scouts of America?
2) How does DSA affect the
lives of dogs and their parents, particularly those dogs that would
end up in shelters?
3) List at least 5 things
the parent needs to know to be “the smart end of the
leash.”
4) Name 5 obvious calming
signals that parents can watch for in their
dogs.
5) List 4 examples of
behaviors you can teach a dog that helps him learn
self-control.
6) What would you say to
someone that doesn’t use positive reinforcement training to convince
him or her to change to +R methods.
7) What is the covenant
(agreement) parents should have with their dogs to prevent
aggression?
8) How can the use of
punishment make aggression worse?
9) In your opinion, what are
the three most important behaviors a parent can teach a dog and
why?
Part 2- Clicker
Training:
10) What causes the dog to
do as the parent requests?
10a) How do you get
that?
11) How can someone break
his or her dog’s cycle of aggression toward other
dogs?
12) How do parents
affect (both positively and negatively) the body language their
dog’s show? (give several examples)
13) Explain when and how a
verbal cue for a new behavior is added and
why.
14) When teaching the dog a
new/different cue for a behavior that already has a cue, explain
when the new cue is added and why. (Example: Teaching the dog a new
hand signal in place of a verbal cue the dog already
knows).
15) Do you think people have
to show their dogs who is boss or be the
Alpha?
16) What is socialization?
(give examples)
16a) Why is it important?
17) What is the best way to
teach a dog or puppy to give you something they have and want to
keep? (Example: A puppy steals a food wrapper from the
garbage)
18) What is a
Gorn?
19) What is positive
punishment?
19a) Why does it not work in most
cases?
20) List at least 4 of the
ways we use our language in ways that can confuse our
dogs.
21) List at least 4 of the
reasons a dog may show very different behavior (or reactions) in
various environments or with different
people.
Part 3- The Dog Scout
Certification:
22) What types of collars
are allowed on the dog when taking the Dog Scout
certification?
23) Why should you always
have at least two clean up bags with you when you are with your
dog?
24) For the Dog Scout
certification, it is required that you show you have taught your dog
to walk by your side in heel position. Assuming that you do
not plan to enter your dog in an obedience competition, why would
this behavior be useful?
25) During the “friendly
with other dogs” portion: If Rover greets your dog in a rude manner
and your dog snaps at Rover, is this acceptable behavior from your
dog?
Why or Why
not?
26) What is the purpose of
the “Leave-it” exercise?
27) List at least 6 possible
situations in which the “Leave-It” cue can protect your dog from
harm.
28) Describe how a dog
should be taught the “Leave-it” cue using DSA approved
methods.
Part 4- Spreading the
Word:
29) List 5 situations in
which having a well mannered dog can help show the general public
the joys of having a well mannered dog.
30) Define “Responsible Dog
Parent” in your own words.
31) If your dog relieved
himself in front of a crowd of people, what would you
do?
32) If you saw someone
training their dog using very harsh methods (severe leash
corrections, yelling, etc.) what would you
do?
33) How do you plan to
spread the word about DSA, positive training and the human/canine
bond?
34) A child is running
toward your dog to greet him/her, assuming your dog loves kids, what
do you do?
34a) What if your dog was
not fond of kids, what would you do?
Click and
Treat yourself for finishing!
