The National Institute of Canine Experts recognizes that most dog bites happen when a dog is free and at large and does not have off-leash reliability and precision. Most dog owners want to live and enjoy their dogs off-leash. Many dog owners enjoy their dogs off-leash but in doing this are in violation of most urban dog laws.
There are several off-leash dog permit programs in effect in America today and if they create responsible owners that train and educate their dogs so that the public safety and wellness is protected, we at NICE support those efforts. NICE is the first and only professional dog organization to promote an off-leash permit program for responsible suburban and urban dog owners.
Our suggestion is to provide a proposal that communities can use free of charge as a template to create an environment for responsible dog owners to enjoy their dogs off-leash and at the same time preserve the public's health and safety. Enjoying a well-trained, non-aggressive dog off-leash should not be a crime.
THE URBAN OFF-LEASH DOG PERMIT
by Ami Moore
Is Your Dog Permitted Off-Leash?
If you are a dog owner, your dog must be leashed or restrained whenever it goes off your property. We recommend that all dogs and owners successfully complete this test before the dog may be walked without a leash in the urban environment. D ogs and owners must be re-certified every five years; there is no charge for re-certification.
The Test
The two-part test will be administered to any currently licensed dog and any member (s) of the dog owner's family who is designated by the owner to be the handler. In the first half of the test, the dog must demonstrate that it will obey several basic commands such as sit, down, and stay.
In the second half of the test, it must be demonstrated to the judges that the dog, with its handler, can walk in a designated area off-leash without negatively reacting to common big city distractions. Although both tests are taken off-leash, handlers must bring their dogs into the testing area on a leash.
The Cost
The cost is free with the presentation of a valid city license per dog, regardless of the number of handlers. The dog will receive a certificate of graduation , special collar and a collar tag. The collar and collar tag must be worn by the dog at all times as proof of permission to be off-leash.
The Purpose
The purpose of the Off-Leash Permit is to demonstrate that the dog, as a companion of humans, can be a respected, safe, sane and well-mannered member of the community and can be walked safely and in a controlled off-leash in public places and in the presence of people, dogs and other urban destractions. The Off-Leash Permit seeks to identify and recognize those dogs that possess the attributes that enable them to be walked off-leash in their community and to the reward responsible dog owners that take the responsibility of training their dog seriously.
Qualify
There is only one way to qualify for the Off-Leash Permit Collar and Tags. This is done by taking the off-leash test. In this test dogs will be evaluated on the basis of pass/fail.
- The dog and handler must pass this test once every five years.
- Each person who will be accompanying this dog off-leash will have to take the test with the dog.
- No dog that has been declared to be dangerous or potentially dangerous is eligible to be off-leash.
Dismissal
Both parts of the tests are pass/fail. Any dog which barks aggressively, jumps, growls, snaps, bites, attacks or attempts to attack any person or dog shall be automatically dismissed from the test.
Any handler who is seen to kick, strike, or otherwise roughly manhandle a dog at any time during a test shall be dismissed from the test.
Dog License
Any dog who participates in the Off-Leash Permit Test must have a current dog license.
THE TEST
The test is in a two step process. The first part is group obedience test in an isolated environment. Upon successful completion of the first test, the applicant is allowed to participate in the second off-leash test. The second test is real world walking with the dog off-leash with real world distractions on the real streets of the city or an urban location.
Acceptable Dog Collars
Acceptable collars are plain buckle collars, training chain collars, martingale collars, fabric slip collars, prong collars, head halters, leather slip collars and electric collars.
Leashes are forbidden during the off-leash portion of the test as are toys, food or other props that may be used to influence the dog's behavior.
PART 1: The Group Obedience Test
In Part I the dog and handler will have to demonstrate the following commands. These are all performed in front of the judges without any distractions but within a group setting. These are all performed off-leash. The test is a simple pass/fail test. If the dog fails any one component the dog fails the entire test.
Approach by Stranger
This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to approach it and speak to the handler in a natural, everyday situation. The evaluator walks up to the dog and handler from either the front, side or rear, and greets the handler in a friendly manner, ignoring the dog. The evaluator and handler shake hands and exchange pleasantries.
Failure: If the dog shows resentment, aggression or shyness to the stranger. If the dog breaks position or tries to go to the stranger.
Touching by Stranger
This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to touch it while it is out with its handler. With the dog sitting at the handler's side, to begin the exercise, the evaluator pets the dog on the head, neck and body. The handler may talk to his or her dog throughout the exercise. The dog may sit, down or stand in place as it is petted.
Failure: If the dog shows resentment, aggression or shyness to the stranger. If the dog breaks position or tries to go to the stranger.
Reaction to Dogs
This test demonstrates that the dog can behave politely around other dogs on leash. Two handlers and their dogs approach each other from a distance of about 20 feet, stop, shake hands, talk and continue on for about 10 feet.
Failure: If the dog shows resentment, aggression or shyness to the stranger or dog. If the dog breaks position or tries to go to the stranger or dog.
Controlled Walking
This test demonstrates that the handler is in control of the dog. The dog may be on the left side of the handler. The dog's position should leave no doubt that the dog is attentive to the handler and is responding to the handler's movements and changes of direction.
The dog must be aligned with the left side of handler and neither be in front of handler, behind handler or wandering out to the side. The dog should sit when the handler stops.
A pre-plotted course with signs to indicate directions will be made available to reduce confusion for the dog and handler team. At minimum, there should be at least one right turn, one left left turn so that walking on a city street is imitated. The handler may talk to the dog along the way, praise the dog, or give commands in a normal tone of voice.
Failure: If the dog shows resentment, aggression or shyness to the stranger. If the dog breaks position or tries to go to the evaluator.
PART II: Off-Leash In The Real World
In Part II, the dog and handler will demonstrate that the handler has control over the dog while confronted with distractions common to an urban environment while off-leash. This test will be performed by having the handler and dog walk off-leash along with other test takers so that the atmosphere of a crowded city street is created.
The group will walk around the assigned and pre-plotted area several times and while doing so the group of handlers and dogs will be confronted by numerous urban distractions. An area may be set up for this part of the test or any portion of an urban setting can be used as well.
Examples of some of these distractions are: children playing ball; a car driving by; a car driving by and blowing the horn; horse and carriage; buses; children riding by on bicycles or skateboards; a jogger; another dog. These are just some of the examples of distractions that might be encountered by the handler and dog. The handler and dog will be evaluated on how they react to each of these distractions.
Failure: If the dog shows resentment, aggression or shyness to any distraction or if the dog leaves the handlers left side.
CERTIFICATION
A owner who passes the test will be eligible to walk their dog off-leash within city limits provided:
1. The dog wears the collar and collar tag which the department issues,
2. The dog is in fact accompanied by and under the control of an approved handler.
REVOCATION
The Off-Leash Permit shall be immediately and permanently revoked upon the finding of any violation of city animal laws or if the dog exhibits aggression or dominant behavior while off-leash and at large.