Dog Scouts of America - Paws Pack 183

05/26/2025

Paws Pack 183, got together this morning for some K9 Parkour.

04/27/2025

Troop 183 at in Apopka this morning, working on manners in a new location. Thank you team for making us feel welcome. Lunch afterwards at in Mt Dora, cheers to the lovely wait staff. Great job troopers!

04/25/2025

"Nothing works❗"
We can ALL make mistakes.

➡️Enrichment
It needs variety!
It needs targeted.
That same puzzle toy they can solve in 5 seconds isn't challenging them anymore.
Many dogs do well with sniff walks, others will cower in areas they are not familiar with. You need to look at where carefully and a sniff walk can be just in your front yard or even your street.
Throwing a ball, is it enrichment (it can be for some) or a repetitive high energy activity that needs limited for others.
The same chew toy they are chewing all day, everyday... may not be enriching at all.

✅Challenge them when they are ready with enrichment.

➡️Rest and sleep
It doesn't come naturally to many dogs.
High energy or highly anxious dogs need us to set some rest times....and that isn't a "cat nap" in the lounge when the children are playing in there.
It isn't necessarily putting them outside for a sleep in the sun, esp if they are aware of every little sound.
Are they TRULY sleeping or just laying down, there is a very big difference.
Have we used enrichment to help tire them out in a completely different way?
Are we pairing sleep or rest with a rewarding and soothing item to help make a positive association?

✅Create a comfortable and quiet area for sleep and encourage them to use it multiple times a day.

➡️Low intensity Trigger Training

Are we "pushing" because we are frustrated and want faster results?
Have we a good understanding of what low intensity actually is?
Do we recognise non verbal signs they are uncomfortable or anxious?
Are we starting at a closer distance than we should because we desperately want them to make a connection sooner?

✅It cannot be rushed. Our dogs WILL show us when they are ready to decrease that distance.

"I can't do it !!!"
Take a deep breath...you can. You REALLY can.
Yes... these 3 areas are key, but we are human and struggle to adapt or change our habits.
Our bad habits and impatience can creep in.

If you are struggling, there are videos in the comments to help you to perhaps look at reactivity a different way.

This dog training graphic is available through abcdogsnz.com (just click the dog training graphics tab).

01/29/2025

Please click the link to complete this form.

01/20/2025

If you're interested in learning, practicing, and/or refreshing skills vital for Responsible Pet Owners everywhere, register for DSA's DEDICATED DOG PARENT virtual event by February 2nd.
This event, which runs the whole month of February, encourages participants to practice first aid and cooperative care skills, refresh reliable canine companion behaviors, and prepare for emergencies while building the trust relationship between you and your dog.
DSA membership is not required to participate in this event.
https://form.jotform.com/250093647758164

01/12/2025

The Winter edition of DSA's The Scoop is published. Check out page 5 for information on the February virtual event, and our troop update on page 20.

11/12/2024

Are you taking your dog for a walk during the week of Thanksgiving? Sign up for Sparky's Turkey Trot and make it count for Dog Scouts of America. Log your walks on Wooftrax for bonus fundraising for any distances greater than 2 tenths of a mile.

Registration for Sparky's Turkey Trot & Gobble is open for anyone wishing to support Dog Scouts of America.
The Turkey Trot recognizes your walking, biking, hiking, running, or trotting 1 mile during the week of Thanksgiving, and you'll have the whole month of December to gobble up 5-miles.
Receive a medallion for each registered human trotter and a patch for each registered canine gobbler.
DSA membership is not required to participate.
Register at https://form.jotform.com/232757722985066

11/11/2024

Troop 183 had a lovely morning participating in Barn Hunt with Kelly Castle, yesterday. Mini Aussie, Isla, and smooth collie, Kyo, made their DSA debut and received their first intro to this fun scent activity. Video was taken of (Boxer mix) Marvin's hunts and we'll be checking to see if it meets the requirements for his merit badge. Lovely to see all our human in good health, and dogs having fun.

04/21/2024

If you haven't done so already, register for DSA Paw-lympics via dogscouts.org. Event activities start next week!

04/13/2024

DSA Paw-lympics running the whole month of May, offers five activity categories that strengthen your foundation in scientifically-proven dog training principles and encourage creativity in their application to promote clearer communication, quicker responses, and a closer partnership for handler and dog teams.
Five weeks, five categories, five opportunities to add a bronze, silver, or gold rocker patch (per category) to your participation patch.
Paw-lympic Team DSA is accepting registrations via the homepage:

DSA Paw-lympics Our virtual fundraising event runs the whole month of May 2024.   Training tips and weekly activity lists will be posted to the private Facebook group.   In addition to the participation patch, bronze, silver, or gold rocker patches can be won in each of the five categories by p...

10/17/2023

Turkey Trot & Mile Gobbler registration is now open. You can register multiple family members for either the Trot, Gobbler, or both, and have the option to purchase additional patches (if you are registering for the Mile Gobbler).

Registration for Sparky's Annual Turkey Trot and Five-Mile Gobbler is now open.
https://form.jotform.com/232757722985066
Register to run, walk, and/or bike during the week of Thanksgiving for Sparky's Turkey Trot and/or any time during December for Sparky's Five-Mile Gobbler. These are virtual races to be completed at your convenience and will raise funds to further DSA's goals and mission - DSA membership is not required to participate. Registration closes December 9, 2023 - but don't be a turkey and leave it to the last minute!

04/16/2023

The Spring edition of The Scoop is now available on the DSA website. Check out what Scouts are doing around the country!

http://dogscouts.org/base/tonto-site/uploads/2023/04/DSA-Scoop-2023-01-Spring.pdf