New dog control orders coming into action, re: sports pitches and play areas

http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/New-dog-controls-orders-introduced-Stoke-Trent/story-23118243-detail/story.html

This is only in Stoke-On-Trent. They're moving to ban dogs from sports pitches and play areas. Dogs must be leashed in town centres, shopping areas and cemeteries.

What do people think about this?

Personally, I completely agree that no dog should be let off the lead in the three above mentioned places. I also agree that dogs should be on leads in children's play areas.

This quote, though, annoys the hell out of me:

"...I think it should be a requirement that all owners should have their dogs trained by an accredited trainer.”

Mkay. So, even if somebody has full control and doesn't need a stranger to train their dogs for them, they should still fork out money on an 'accredited trainer'? Uh huh. Easy for this one to say, as she is a trainer and would only gain from it. Pfft.

Totally agree!

I'm more than capable of training my own dogs thank you!

"ban dogs from sports pitches and play areas. Dogs must be leashed in town centres, shopping areas and cemeteries."

Totally agree. I think most town councils already do this, although there is a football pitch local to me where dog owners let their dogs off-lead. That wouldn't be so bad if they cleared up the poo, but not everyone does and it must be horrible for the footballers (including children) when they encounter a poo in the midst of their game.

"...I think it should be a requirement that all owners should have their dogs trained by an accredited trainer.” Outrageous, stupid and self-serving statement.

They probably included that quote to stir up anger - typical media!

Eleanor wrote:

"...I think it should be a requirement that all owners should have their dogs trained by an accredited trainer.”

I agree with this 110% completely.
You're measuring against yourself and the people on here. We're here because we are responsible owners, we want to have good dogs, learn and share our wonderful pets.
What you have to consider the 99.9% of dog owners out there that don't teach and train their dogs or teach them the wrong things.
If you don't teach a dog to leave a toy you're not going to get it to leave anything it's latched onto be it a toy, your leg, dog or child. so many dogs get no socializing; they're put in the backyard as pups and spend their lives there. If those owners were forced to take their dogs to some puppy classes and /or training they're educated.
Most people that start out with us are first or second time dog owners, they have no idea. The more aggressive and potential problem breeds are popular these days as everyone wants better 'security' on their properties. If everyone was forced to go to someone knowledgeable you could curb a lot of potential issues.

I agree that legislation regarding the training of dogs should be introduced, but in that case, it would need to apply to everybody. I would much prefer the need to pass a test, similar to the canine good citizen test - that would probably be easier to prove, as well, as paperwork could be verified in the form of certificates. That way, the dog would receive training - through the owner or a trainer - and you wouldn't get legislation lumping people unfairly together.

Thing with the Good Citizen test is that it takes a lot of training, time and putting the dogs in different situations. It's just not going to be done. Rather make a mandatory 5-10 lessons with the trainer of your choice and they give you a certificate, be it puppy classes or intermediate.
If possible trainers should then have at least 1 dog free educational lesson on caring for your dogs nutritional and mental needs.

The good citizen itself wouldn't be practical, but something similar.

There are also the issues of cost and availability. A lot of trainers around our area are either 1) extremely expensive, 2) biased against bull breeds, 3) aversive trainers or 4) too difficult to get to. If push comes to shove and the government is forced to introduce legislation to ensure that people go to trainers, we'd be in a lot of trouble! We took Demps to a training class when he was younger, for socialisation, and the trainer fancied himself as an English Cesar Millan - raked in the money at the beginning of each class, stared directly into the eyes of every dog, pinned dogs down without even asking permission from the owners, and dragged a very young Border Collie pup, suffering from separation anxiety, from her owner - poor thing was terrified. That's about the only type of trainer anywhere in our area.

Then they should at least do it like a car license. A book you have to study and an exam you have to pass for your Dog Owner License.

Shisa wrote:Then they should at least do it like a car license. A book you have to study and an exam you have to pass for your Dog Owner License.

I would probably back that suggestion.

I agree with that. Of course, it's all 'ifs and buts' until the government finally decide to do something.