by Sue Smith, Raising Cane
Photos courtesy of Dog Scouts of America
It is not always easy to find new and exciting activities for you and your dog. Walking around the neighborhood and playing fetch in the backyard can become monotonous. If you are looking to spice up your life this spring Dog Scouts of America might be just what you've been looking for. Dog Public's friend, Sue Smith, owner of Raising Canine recently had the opportunity to meet with Cara Vacchiano the Troop Leader for Austin Dog Scouts Troop 143 and the owner of Buddy's Chance, LLC Dog Training and Behavior.
Sue: Welcome, Cara, and thank you for talking to us about Dog Scouts of America today.
Cara: You're welcome, Sue. It's am organization that I'm very fond of so I'm always happy to chat about it.
Sue: Can you tell us what Dog Scouts is all about?
Cara: Dog Scouts of America is a non-profit organization established by Lonnie Olson in 1995. Dog Scouts is dedicated to educating the public about responsible dog ownership, increasing the human/canine bond, and helping dogs and their owners learn new things while having fun. They promote positive methods of dog training and are built on the premise that dog homelessness could be significantly reduced (and, perhaps, even resolved entirely) if every dog owner socialize their dogs properly at a young age, invest time in training their dogs, spay or neuter their dogs, and properly contain their dogs.
SUE: What first drew you to Dog Scouts as an organization?
Cara: As the owner of a dog training facility in Austin, Texas, I strive to help people live better lives with their dogs. I focus not only on helping them solve problems after they've developed, but on preventing those problems in the first place through appropriate socialization and training. Unfortunately, many people don't seek out a dog trainer until after problems have started and the work ahead of them is going to be much harder.
Dog Scouts is an organization that helps people develop a strong relationship with their dogs and prevent problems from getting started in the first place. It's a way for me to reach many dog owners and teach them fun ways to connect with their dogs and then help them to teach even more people. It's very much a "pass it on" kind of group!
Sue: What kind of activities does Dog Scouts do?
Cara: We have a local Dog Scout Troop here in Austin, Texas. Locally, we hold monthly meetings and events like hikes or kayaking trips (yes, your dogs can come kayaking too!). Dog Scouts members also participate in community activities with their local troops. For example, dogs and their owners may walk in a walk-a-thon or help clean up a public park. Others serve as therapy dogs, visiting people in hospitals. Some local troops teach Boy Scouts Troops about responsible dog ownership or raise funds to purchase bullet proof vests for K-9 officers.
The national Dog Scouts organization holds five-day camps in Michigan and three-day mini-camps throughout the country that allow dogs and their owners to learn and experience new things. These achievements are recognized with merit badges awarded for skills like basic dog manners, lure coursing, backpacking, agility, search and rescue, and water safety. The Austin Troop now has approximately 25 members and we're growing by the day! Several of us attended a weekend camp in Pottsboro, Texas where we earned our Dog Scouts Certification badges and badges for hiking, backpacking, and swimming. Some of the dogs even learned how to paint to earn their Art of Shaping Badge!
Sue: Can any dog become a Dog Scout?
Cara: Any dog may become a Dog Scout. The only requirement is that the dog and owner pass a test showing that the owner is responsible and the dog is well mannered and not aggressive toward humans and other dogs.
Sue: How can people join a Dog Scouts troop in their area?
Cara: First, visit the Dog Scouts' website at www.DogScouts.com and look in the troop directory for a troop near you. The membership fee is only $25 per year. That's it! You and your dog will be on your way to a better relationship and fun times in no time at all.
Cara Vacchiano is not only the Troop Leader for Austin Dog Scouts Troop 143 but also the owner of Buddy's Chance, LLC Dog Training and Behavior, a dog training facility in Central Austin. Local troop meetings are held at the Buddy's Chance training center at 5501 North Lamar Boulevard in Austin. For more details on local troop events and activities, visit www.BuddysChance.com.
Sue Smith is an active, professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, graduated from the first class held at the San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers, was in the first group of trainers certified by the Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers and is a certified and founding member of the International Association of Dog Behavior Consultants. Sue is also owner of Raising Canine, which is dedicated to providing quality, science-based education to companion animal professionals and owners; and, providing quality business services to animal professionals, so they are able to dedicate their time to enhancing the owner-animal relationship. For more details about Sue Smith or Raising Canine visit www.RaisingCanine.com.