11/09/2024
Thanks to the Association of Professional Dog Trainers New Zealand for consulting on this important matter!
The Association for Professional Dog Trainers New Zealand (APDTNZ) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the Christchurch City Councilโs survey regarding dog control policies and leash laws. We appreciate the Council's commitment to reviewing these regulations to balance public safety with the needs of dogs and their caregivers. We fully support the implementation of limits on the number of dogs one person can walk at a time to ensure better control and safety. However, we have concerns about the potential over-reliance on increased leash laws as a blanket solution for general dog-related issues.
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐บ๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐ธ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ต ๐๐ฎ๐๐
While leash laws are designed to ensure public safety and order, applying more stringent leash requirements universally may not effectively address the underlying issues related to canine behaviour and public safety. Instead of broad restrictions, a more nuanced approach is recommended, one that emphasises education, responsible dog guardianship, and community engagement.
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฐ๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ผ๐บ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ ๐ช๐ฒ๐น๐ณ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ
Ensuring the welfare and wellbeing of dogs involves not only physical health but also ethical considerations in training and handling practices, including enrichment and agency. Research highlights several benefits of giving dogs freedom to explore:
- ๐๐ฉ๐บ๐ด๐ช๐ค๐ข๐ญ ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ญ๐ต๐ฉ: Increased physical activity, contributing to better overall health (Hurley et al., 2011), including the prevention of obesity. As outlined in New Zealandโs Code of Welfare for dogs, exercise is crucial for both physical and mental health and insufficient exercise can lead to behavioural problems.
- ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ค๐บ ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐๐ฑ๐ข๐ค๐ฆ: Greater sense of agency in dogs by allowing them enhanced sense of freedom to explore their environment, which significantly augments their positive welfare and reduces behavioural concerns (Blattner et al., 2020; Jones, 2024; Littlewood et al., 2023; Westgarth et al., 2010).
- ๐๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต๐ข๐ญ ๐๐ต๐ช๐ฎ๐ถ๐ญ๐ข๐ต๐ช๐ฐ๐ฏ: Dogs benefit from cognitive engagement and environmental enrichment, leading to reduced stress and anxiety (Kis et. al., 2015; Moesta et al., 2015).
Longer leads (at least 3m or 10 feet) and long lines have emerged as significant aids in achieving goals of greater freedom and agency (Campbell et al., 2016; Littlewood et al., 2023) while keeping dogs, wildlife, and the public safe. Longer leashes and off lead freedoms, when properly trained, promote natural behaviours such as sniffing, roaming, and interacting with their surroundings, which increases a dogโs feelings of safety and satisfaction (Foltin & Ganslosser, 2021), in line with the Five Domains Model of animal welfare (Mellor et al., 2020).
๐๐ฒ๐ต๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฒ๐ณ๐ถ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฆ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ด๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐๐บ๐ฎ๐ป-๐๐ผ๐ด ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฑ
Off-lead freedom for dogs under effective control and longer leashes help in addressing behavioural concerns by providing appropriate outlets for energy and exploration, reducing the likelihood of behavioural problems (Foltin & Ganslosser, 2021), including leash pulling, which is a notable welfare concern for dogs (Townsend et al., 2022). This increase in autonomy reduces stress and frustration, subsequently leading to a decrease in undesired behaviours like excessive barking, or aggressive/conflict behaviours. Additionally, they contribute to strengthening the bond between dogs and their caregivers (APPA, 2020), as โwell-behavedโ and content dogs are easier to manage and enjoy a higher quality of life (Jones, 2024; Littlewood et. al., 2023).
Dogs are highly valued in New Zealand society, both as companions and working animals. However, improper management and care can negatively impact their welfare and potentially affect other dogs, humans, animals, and the environment. In order to adhere to the guidelines set forth in the Code of Welfare for dogs, the promotion of effective off-lead freedom and the use of longer leashes will help enhance canine welfare and mitigate the risks above.
๐๐ถ๐บ๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐
๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐
Excessive restrictions, such as stricter leash laws, can inadvertently exacerbate behavioural problems by limiting dogs' opportunities for exercise and mental stimulation. This may lead to increased frustration and stress, undermining the very safety these laws aim to achieve (Horwitz & Mills, 2009; Tami et al., 2008).
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐บ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ฑ๐๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ข๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป
Rather than implementing more restrictive leash laws, we advocate for prioritising educational initiatives. Educating dog guardians about humane training techniques, responsible stewardship, and the benefits of positive reinforcement can significantly reduce behavioural issues that lead to stricter regulations (AVMA, 2019). Effective education fosters a deeper understanding of dogs' needs, as well as teaching them skills needed to coexist harmoniously in public spaces, leading to better public integration and reduced conflicts.
๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฒ๐ณ๐ถ๐๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ด๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฒ๐
We recommend a well-rounded approach that includes creating more dog-friendly spaces, such as designated off-leash areas (including shared human-dog spaces), alongside educational campaigns to address safety concerns effectively. The positive impact of such initiatives means that communities with accessible dog-friendly spaces report higher levels of social cohesion and community wellbeing (Wood et al., 2015). Engaging the community in unbiased discussions about dog policies ensures that regulations are practical and enforceable and see more compliance and fewer conflicts between dog caregivers and non-caregivers (Weiss et al., 2013). Collaborative efforts between dog caregivers, animal behaviourists, and council can result in policies that are considerate, protect public safety whilst promoting the welfare of dogs.
๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฐ๐น๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป
In summary, while leash laws play a role in maintaining order, unreasonable restrictions on their use is not a panacea for canine behaviour and public safety issues. We propose that a comprehensive strategy, integrating education and the use of longer leashes is a more effective and humane approach. One effective method is creating and maintaining more off-leash areas where dogs can exist under specified conditions (example, leash when necessary, expected courtesies and particular skill sets, i.e. โunder effective controlโ). These spaces, combined with educational programmes for dog caregivers, can mitigate the need for restrictive leash laws. By focusing on these strategies, we can foster a positive environment for both dogs and people.
We have already witnessed significant improvement over the last few years with people using positive reinforcement training and longer leashes to reduce unwanted interactions and harm from leash tension. We appreciate the opportunity to contribute to this important discussion and encourage the Christchurch City Council to consider these perspectives in their review process. As the body representing ethical professional dog trainers in New Zealand, we would very much appreciate being consulted further as the review process progresses.
Sincerely,
๐ผ๐จ๐จ๐ค๐๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ ๐๐ค๐ง ๐๐ง๐ค๐๐๐จ๐จ๐๐ค๐ฃ๐๐ก ๐ฟ๐ค๐ ๐๐ง๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ง๐จ ๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ฃ๐
Find the list of references here: https://www.apdtnz.org.nz/CCC-letter-references
