05/06/2024
Agree completely. Zero community engagement on this legislation. Sign the petition and hop onto Have Your Say and let them know how you feel. https://yoursay.sa.gov.au/breeder-reforms
๐๐๐ฃ ๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ฎ๐ด๐ด๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐ฑ๐ผ๐ด๐
This is the what the South Australian Government are saying. ๐คท
Given all of the tasks state governments have to get involved in, it is easy for them to make ๐๐๐ฐ๐ต ๐ฎ ๐บ๐ถ๐๐๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฒ in classification.
They probably have been ill advised by someone who knows less about IGP than a mushroom.
And this would be government's biggest mistake. ๐
๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ฎ๐บ ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐น๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ผ๐๐?
The South Australian Government recently released a draft bill which amongst other things, aims to classify IGP dogs as โattack dogsโ.
A classification normally reserved for Police or Military dogs.
IGP is a sport, a very detailed and precise sport based on control.
There are several levels of this sport starting with the Zap test which is an assessment process for to young dogs.
Next would be the BH test where a dog is tested in an obedience pattern and what is informally called the traffic test in which the dogs are tested in public situations such as being tied up in a public space, testing them under stimulations such bike rider passing, cars and or dogs to determine if the dogs presented are good examples of the breed.
IGP is a modern version of Schutzhund, used by Max Von Stephanitz (the creator of the German Shepherd Dog) to test and rank dogs within the breed.
This is a testing system to select only the best dogs and breed them.
There is an obedience component that has agility and retrieving exercises, a tracking phase and a character assessment in which the dog, under high levels of control bites a dedicated sport sleeve under very strict conditions.
In the past and sometimes present, the C phase has been called the โprotectionโ phase.
As a person who has trained many dogs for personal protection, Police Service, Correctional Services and Military forces, I can tell you that IGP dogs are no where near the same as dogs that are trained to combat a human being.
IGP dogs are targeting equipment.
I have tested a number of IGP 3 dogs for transition to police or military service, that would only be suitable with a considerable amount of retraining.
Without equipment, they will NOT engage.
Now also know that dogs that complete the Zap test, which is a temperament evaluation and dogs that do BH, Obedience or tracking are still going to be classed as attack dogs.
Even though they have in no way been involved in the C Phase. I.e. never bitten a sleeve
Why would a state government make such an insane legislation?
Well, the answer as always is, bad information.
As the President of the Professional Dog Trainers of Australia, I can tell you that the South Australian government has not consulted ANY IGP clubs, trainers or organisations.
This is being brought about by all states because, nationally, dog bites and attacks are growing out of control
Now before you ask, no, IGP dogs are not increasing these numbers.
The increased attacks and bites are due to pet dogs that are not under control.
This happens due to a lack of effective training due to people gravitating towards methods that are claimed to be Force Free.
Dogs need structure, management and training that is suitable for their individual temperament.
Not a program that fits within someoneโs ideals and dreams.
Dogs are individuals, attack dogs are dogs that are needed to control and stop dangerous people.
IGP dogs are sport dogs. Engaging in this sport will not increase the risks a dog presents.
In fact, if you can get a dog through to IGP 3, you have considerable control over your dog.
What will classifying IGP dogs as attack dogs mean.
Fact is, itโs hard to know.
Most IGP clubs train in council sports fields, canโt see that permission being continued when you are training attack dogs.
Attack dogs can only be boarded in specific kennels. The kennels we have at K9Pro are extremely high security and our staff are highly experienced.
Therefore normal boarding kennels are out.
How about insurance? Both medical and third party? Think you will be able to get insurance for your attack dog?
Are attack dogs allowed to use dog parks?
How about housing, attack dogs need specific kennel runs.
So, if you even do one training session in IGP, you will need a dog run.
Do you rent? Will the landlord allow you to build a dog run with a concrete slab?
If this draft bill passes, this will be the end of IGP in South Australia.
But still ok in other states.
For nowโฆ
When the intended purpose is to reduce dog attacks and IGP dogs have no recorded attacks in South Australia, how will that protect the public?
It wonโt.
This is a Senseless bill based on ridiculous information.
Please help by doing these things
1. Sign this petition (https://www.change.org/p/igp-dog-sport-is-not-attack-dog-training)
2. Join the PDTA, we need your support to help us inform governments that Australian people do not want these bans. Membership is super easy, if youโre not a dog trainer, you can join as an associate member for just $20!
https://dogtrainersaustralia.org/join-professional-dog-trainers-australia/
