13/10/2020
Currently dog trainers and dog walkers are not permitted to work. This means that dogs are not receiving the critical socialisation and training they need.
Without socialisation and training, new dog families - especially those with puppies - will often experience behaviour problems. And, of course, the end result of this for many of these dogs will be a tragic one.
Someone can come to mow your lawn. Personal trainers can travel outside their 5 km zone to meet up to two people. Yet a dog cannot be assessed. A dog cannot be walked. Hands on help cannot be given.
Training in small groups to give appropriate social interaction to puppies and dogs should also be allowed when small groups can meet in outdoor areas.
Doggie day care centres are allowed to open, but they do not suit dogs that are not well socialised to begin with. Plus to place one of these dogs in doggie day care without appropriate socialisation is a recipe for disaster.
So many people have rushed to adopt or buy cats and dogs during this difficult year, and in many cases they desperately need support. That cute puppy has not been socialised, that puppy has become a teenager and is out of control, and there is no help available. Zoom consultations do not serve as well.
We know that over the next twelve months there are going to be so many teenage dogs surrendered to shelters and pounds, many to be killed, as separation anxiety, inadequate socialisation, and adopters without training skills or the ability to seek professional advice, impact on these innocent dogs.
These dogs will be the silent victims of this difficult year.As an example of this Greater Dandenong Council are looking at setting up their own pound to cope with the expected influx of dogs that will be surrendered. In Victoria many dogs will be killed for the above behavioural issues.
As for puppies, some have never had an opportunity to interact in a normal way with other dogs, apart from those they pass on lead. This will affect their entire lives, as learning to socialise well is such an important aspect of their first sixteen weeks.
As a group, we already accept that so many dogs we take on will be reactive to other dogs because of the typical dog's life in Melbourne. The restrictions of this year are going to increase these numbers by so many. The dogs do not deserve this. There must be access to trainers and dog walkers permitted.
Please express your concern. You don't need a sample letter/email. The reasons are set out for you here and those you need to contact are listed on the parliamentary link.https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/about/people-in-parliament/members-search/list-all-members. Contact your local MP. Or if you want further advice email us on [email protected]
If we had not had advice from trainers on Geoffrey, or he had gone elsewhere without having additional help, he would unlikely to be alive. Instead he is a happy boy and one of the stars of our calendar.
