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|  We believe that excessive legislation that regulates the dog industry, dog training, dog husbandry and pet dog ownership has a detrimental effect on the quality of our lives and the lives of our dogs. Our position statements on the topics that affect dogs and owners in America today are explained in detail. The National Institute of Canine Experts, was founded in 2007 to increase the quality and the availability of material pertinent to canines. Due to the increasing frequency of oppressive legislative mandates on dog owners, dog trainers, dog breeders, canine rescuers and hobbyists in the United States, our position is to support effective, humane practices and legislation that serves to protect the interests of the dog owning public and the individuals who serve them.
Dog Training Equipment
NICE recognizes that there are many appropriate training techniques, methods and philosophies for each individual dog, depending upon its breed, its temperament, its age, the behavioral problems it poses, and the goals of its training. We are against arbitrary restrictions on methods, techniques or tools used in the training of dogs.
Mandatory Spay-Neuter Laws
NICE opposes legally mandated spaying and neutering of all dogs, for such reproductive alterations are decisions that must be made by the owner of a dog in consultation with a veterinarian. There is ample evidence that sterilization increases the risk of life threatening illnesses, especially if it is done before the age of 1-2 yrs. Voluntary sterilization, made possible by inexpensive spay-neuter clinics, and that required for adoption by animal shelters has reduced shelter intake numbers in many jurisdictions, while that required by laws affecting all dogs has had no such effects. Many dogs serve not only as pets but enable their handicapped owners to be employed and help them to be independent of social services. Others serve as useful members of human communities as protection dogs, farm and ranch dogs and hunting dog. Some of these functions can be adversely affected by sterilization. It is unproven that altering a dog reduces illegal dog fights or biting incidents.NICE advocates increased enforcement of current laws, training dogs to make them more reliable and responsive to their owners and educational dog bite reduction programs for both adults and children. Mandatory Microchipping of Dogs
NICE opposes any government mandated micro-chipping of dogs due to the incompatible multiple systems in use, and the decision to permanently insert a device that may malfunction, may migrate to other parts of the animal’s body, may compromise the long term health of the animal, and is an unnecessary medical procedure. Use of the micro-chip must remain a decision of the owner in conjunction with medical advice of the animal medical professional. As part of our active effort to promote responsible dog ownership, NICE is adamant that dog owners properly identify their pets. We believe that the final decision about the type and method of dog identificationon, whether by collar, tattoo or microchip, must be made by the dog owner, not the government.
Cropping, Docking and Dew Claw Removal Procedures
NICE opposes the regulation or banning of procedures such as cropping, docking and dew claw removal as these procedures can contribute to the dogs’ abilities to perform the functions for which they can be trained and preclude injury during work requiring such jobs as including but not limited to running, climbing, jumping, swimming, helping disabled handlers, providing therapy, assisting with military actions, protecting police officers from violent offenders, herding livestock, guarding livestock, finding prey, retrieving prey or rescuing missing persons. Dog Breeding and Dog Breeders
The National Institute of Canine Experts supports ethical dog breeders who engage in the perseveration of the unique and irreplaceable genetic identity of the modern dog. NICE believes in protecting the role of the American dog breeder in producing dogs that are able to perform their historic jobs and also new and innovative services for and with mankind. NICE supports all ethical and responsible dog breeders, large and small, the professional and dedicated hobbyist, that safeguard the irreplaceable genetics of the domestic dog. These rare and unique genetic abilities of the dog, if allowed to become extinct through excessive and punitive legislation would adversely effect our food supply, our ability to protect property, life and liberty and reduce our humanity. Example #1: Harassment of Dog Breeders Example #2: Harassment of Dog Breeders Dog Tethering Laws
We are advocates of appropriate and humane tethering practices both inside and outside the home that take into consideration the breed of the dog, the age of the dog, the purpose for which the dog is being trained, the environment and the weather. In many cases, tethering is the only humane containment method for dogs that are expected to perform tasks in hostile environements such as hunting dogs, stock dogs, sledding dogs and police/military dogs. For dogs that are required to master difficult tasks in extreme conditions it would be inhumane and abusive to deny the dog to acclimate to the climate, terrain and environment in which it must master. Electronic Dog Training Equipment
The National Institute of Dog Training Experts, strongly opposes the restriction, limitation or banning of electronic dog training equipment and containment products. Humanely used electronic dog training equipment had been demonstrated to be an effective, efficient, benign training tool for a variety of difficult performance venues beginning with its birth as a training device almost 40 years ago for hunting hounds, upland bird dogs and retrievers. The popularity of its use as a training device has been successfully implemented and demonstrated by our nation’s military, domestic law enforcement and most recently with it’s successful employment as a device for behavior modification and rehabilitation for pet dogs. It’s wide acceptance and use in competitive dog sports has generated achievement at the highest levels of recognition for obedience competitors, field trial competitors, protection sport enthusiasts and others. In any area where the performance of the dog must be RELIABLE, PRECISE, and HIGHLY CONTROLLED off-leash and/or at a distance from the handler, modern electronic dog training equipment is recognized as the premier training tool that humanely and effectively achieves such difficult goals. In addition, activities where the preservation of human life depends on the dogs’ performance off leash in real-world environments in a precise and reliable manner, electronic dog training methods remain the most efficient technique for attaining such excellence. Breed Specific Legislation [BSL]
NICE is opposes all breed specific legislation designed to target dogs based upon physical appearances. Dangerous dogs should be defined and regulated by their behavior, as judged by someone expert in evaluating dog training and behavior, such as a professional dog trainer, not by their breeds.
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