Handling Distractions with Confidence 

On your walks, you and your dog encounter people walking while looking at their phones AND chairs AND tables AND display stands AND rubbish bins AND the small child on a scooter AND maybe dogs tethered outside shops – that’s A LOT to move around, through and away from.  AND that’s just the tip of the distraction iceberg!
 What about when you can’t move - the narrow path with the cyclist bearing down, the person who just has to pat your dog?

Work with us to develop skills and strategies you can use to make being out and about with your dog a breeze.

Enrol in one or more of the following workshops.

 

If you complete all four workshops, you can participate in an assessment for Ideal Dogs of Australia (IDA) certification

IDA certificate

* The IDA certificate is an approved assessment under the Domestic (Feral & Nuisance) Animals Act and, as such, successful completion of this course may qualify your dog for a reduced council registration fee if he/she does not qualify for a registration fee discount for any other reason.  IDA certification is based on successful performance of all the following assessment exercises:
CONTROLLED WALK for 50 paces without pulling on a lead including making a turn and doing a sit and drop. During the walk the dog will go through a door/gateway under control.  
WALKING THROUGH A CROWD - The dog should walk through a group of at least 5 people (who may or may not have dogs with them), minimum of 20 paces and the dog must be on a loose lead.
REACTION TO DISTRACTIONS - The dog should remain under control when distractions (bicycle, pram or jogger) pass within 5 paces of the dog.  
HOLD & GIVE - The dog to be offered an article and demonstrate that s/he will give it up readily.  
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION / BEING TOUCHED BY AN UNFAMILIAR PERSON - Patting and handling of the dog, including being touched on the head and mouth.  The dog must not jump up or show any avoidance behaviour.  
REACTION TO ANOTHER DOG -Handler and dog pair to meet another handler and dog pair (both dogs on-lead) with the dogs remaining under handler control.  
During free play, dogs to ‘meet and greet’ without showing fear or aggression off-lead.
THE RECALL - The dog should come when called when off lead at a distance of 20 paces.  Dog can be held by the tester if required until the handler is 20 paces away.  
STAY IN POSITION - The dog should stay in the drop, sit or stand position for a period of 15 seconds with the handler at a distance of 5 paces.  
DOG TO ACCEPT BEING LEFT ALONE - The dog should be left tied up with the handler at some distance away for a period of 30 seconds. The dog need not stay in one position, but should remain calm.  People should be able to pass close to the dog without it lunging at them.  
No food inducement is allowed during the Assessment.  Reinforcement may be offered at the completion of each exercise if appropriate.