http://www.trendtrack.com/texis/walks/ny/text09.html?type=SB&number=2219

Not sure where this is at in the New York house, but it is a proposed bill that would require all dog owners to take their dogs to an obedience class. Why these law makers have nothing beter to do is beyond me!?!?!

So if you live in NY, you might want to be contacting your representitive.

The idea that people HAVE to teach their dogs some good behavior skills, although appealing....will only be as good as the instructors teaching the classes & the follow up training that the dog continues to get. 'cause we all know that training NEVER STOPS for the life of the dog. I want to know who is going to monitor the dog obedience class instructors? Somehow I believe that the Petsmart & Petco type companies will somehow manage to "contract' with these gov't officials to be the schools of choice. If the class teachers have the benifit of experiece only by watching a 4 hour video & a couple of classes taught by a more "seasoned" teacher at another store location it may create more problems then solve them. I have watched some of these classes & spoken to a couple of their instructors (just out of curiosity) & have been told that is how they are trained to instruct the classes. I don't believe that this is the exception to the rule. It is some of the worse instruction that I have seen. People with no experience teaching people with no clue using the same methods for each dog & getting pretty nasty to the owners & sometinmes the dogs, if their dogs doesn't fit into the 'program'. Telling them that the dog is stupid & can't learn or that they neeed more & more classes because the dog doesn't learn well. Poor dogs if it all comes to this! I hope there is a better soloution then this one!

 Quote: Anne Jones

The idea that people HAVE to teach their dogs some good behavior skills, although appealing....will only be as good as the instructors teaching the classes & the follow up training that the dog continues to get. 'cause we all know that training NEVER STOPS for the life of the dog. I want to know who is going to monitor the dog obedience class instructors?

Very true. What if the requirements were based on a RESULT, rather than the ACT of completing a course - just like you have to pass a driver's test in order to get a driver's license, no matter who teaches you... what if all dogs (and owners) needed to pass the CGC in order to get their license? That's a pretty basic 'OB in everyday scenarios' test, right? This would allow people to choose their own trainer and style of training - or even do it themselves - as long as the desired results of having a well mannered, well controlled dog were achieved in the end.

I don't know, I think a LOT of people already do basic obedience classes with their new puppies and young dogs... they just don't usually have the motivation to shoot for a firm training goal, and if their dog flunks class, they just don't come back. I'd love to see more owners encouraged to keep learning and working at it, though I agree that most legislation like this is just not well thought out and will end up becoming a PITA for those of us who already set good training examples with our dogs, completely of our own desire.

~Natalya

This is an interesting post Mara. While I am not sure of the results, I at least think it's not such a bad proposal. We, who really love dogs are always complaining about clueless or uneducated owners who do nothing to help their dogs. I'm not saying this will help all owners and their dogs, but it's a start.

From what I could tell, if the owners successfully complete an obedience course, they get a yellow license tag? Free of charge. It's all a big if, including the instructors. I'm sure there will be a lot of people giving the classes who shouldn't, but who knows, maybe there will be some people who will really learn from this and become better owners.. I don't like the government telling people what to do with their animals, but they already do that in so many negative ways like BSL. This seems like it might help some people, but we'll have to see. It's a start.

I recall hearing someplace that some European countries require the equivlent of a Schutzhund BH before your dog is allowed to be out in public and un-muzzled.

I like the idea but the practicality and feasibility is next to impossible. You'd have to set up a another government agency akin to DMV for photo IDs and testing. Don't know 'bout you guys but I'd rather see them build another high school in my county than another make work program

hmmm I live in NY...but this raises a the logical question of- how are they going to enforce this on thousands of owners? how can you require this when most dog owners cant afford the classes? but most importantly, i think, is that it runs the possibility of further diluting the dog training profession when any tom dick and harry can get into the business because a massive demand has just been created.

 Quote: Dennis Jones

I like the idea but the practicality and feasibility is next to impossible. You'd have to set up a another government agency akin to DMV for photo IDs and testing. Don't know 'bout you guys but I'd rather see them build another high school in my county than another make work program

Dennis, from what I gather, the owner gets a certificate when the class is done. They take it to the licensing office and get their cool yellow tag.

Mr. Jerone is gonna be rollin' in the dough now.

Government getting too big...

In a perfect world every dog should be trained... But as citizens of the United States we should have the right to make that decision for ourselves.

Whats next will they try to make us spay or neuter our dogs?!?! </sarcasm>

Edited by Jason Bernard (05/08/2009 02:34 PM)
Edit reason: forgto a word =p