ACWA Dog Aggression Policy

Although aggression from dogs in agility is unacceptable, it is behaviour that we, as a club, inevitably will encounter. Therefore, we have created a ACWA policy on aggression, which we will follow in reference to all aggressive dogs in our club.

  1. At the initial introductions of every class, the training director will inform the class of our policy on aggression and that it is not an acceptable behaviour. S/he will further inform the class that just because their dog is not aggressive does not mean that someone else’s dog is not aggressive. Consequently, owners need to watch their own dogs (with at least one eye) every second and ask other owners if their dogs can say “hello” before they allow them to interact.
  2. The training director and/or each class instructor holds the right at any time to inform a student that s/he is concerned with the dog’s behaviour and would like them to sit out for the rest of the class period. After this has occurred for the first time, the instructor will then discuss this problem with the committee.
  3. The committee will decide if a particular dog is a risk to other members of the club. If the dog is a risk, then the owner will be asked to muzzle the dog during all training classes. It will also be suggested to the owner that s/he get further professional training for his/her particular problem.
  4. If a dog appears to be too much of a problem, ACWA holds the right at any time to ask the owner not to bring that dog back to class until they can prove that they have corrected the problem.

The Best Ways to avoid a negative experience:

  1. Any dog at agility classes should be on lead at all times, unless running a set or course.
  2. The ACWA committee requires that a handler bring some form of confinement for his/her dog while the handler is walking courses, putting up or taking down equipment. We suggest a crate or exercise pen for this purpose.
  3. If a handler feels that s/he has encountered any uncomfortable situation that may be or lead to dog aggression, please notify a committee member, the training director or class instructor as soon as possible.

 

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