training philosophy
SMART Program - Pet Level
Street Management and Responsibility Testing (SMART) Program
This program is intended to evaluate the handler’s ability to respectfully and safely manage his team. It is not a test to evaluate the temperament of the dog. Temperament tests are incapable of determining the safety/behaviorial level of any dog and by their very nature tend to impart a false sense of security. Safety lies in the hands of the dog owner/handler... period.
Can we ever have or own “Lassie”? That wonderful dog that could find Timmy in the well and foil thieves, all, but for the love of her owners?! In reality this would be an impossible feat. If this were achievable we could open up our front door and say “ Lassie go for a walk, come back in an hour, don’t dawdle, don’t piddle where you shouldn’t and don’t bother anyone”. Obviously this is a ridiculous notion due to the fact that dogs cannot comprehend these matters and that we realize that a dog must be guided and assisted in order to meet these very requests. Why? ...because they are not guided by human social and community protocol (which would require a high comprehension level), but instead guided naturally by their reflexes (survival drives).
We believe, in our experience, that natural instinctual reflexes are accountable for at least 60% of a dog’s behaviour, which leaves 40% or less for trained behaviour (modified or trained behaviours will always be over ridden by the dogs’ natural reflexes if proper handling is not present). We now must compensate for the 60% deficit or more, by prompting the dog by way of guidance and assistance back to our training behaviours.
How we accomplish this is by teaching the dog to look to us for guidance and assistance, much like that of a pup looking to his mother for help and safety. The dog must be taught to be merely aware of the environment around him, but not to react to it. The focus should be on the handler, not on the environment. Take a guide dog for example; if he were not properly managed and assisted by his handler he would be unable to do his work. You must be available to your dog in order for his training to show. This is why “Lassie”, a 100% trained dog without a handler, only exists within the confines of a movie.
The street and public places are the working venues for assistance/service dogs. Assistance/service dogs and their handlers are trained and skilled in these highly stimulating and often dangerous environments. Not only training, but also proper decorum and protocol, are used by the A/S dog industry. These measures were built on the premise of safety and respect; safety for the service team (dog and handler), safety for the community and respect for all. Without these measures, the integrity of the A/S dog industry would be lost.
LET’S RAISE THE BAR……..
When we take a pet dog onto the streets and into our communities, we need to re-evaluate not only our handling of these dogs, but as well, the level of standard to be met. We should avail ourselves to the same standard as that held by the A/S dog industry:
- Safety for the team
- Safety for the environment and Respect for all
Because of the often difficult, distracting and often frightening, not to mention dangerous aspects of the street, we must remember that this is not merely the “walk in the park” as it might naively have begun. Our dogs and handlers must become skilled and able to deal with these “normal” aspects. Therefore proper training in these environments must be taught to both dog and handler.
The S.MA.R.T. Program evaluates the ability of the dog to look to the handler for guidance and assistance and the ability for the handler to give it. Knowledge of the responsibilities of a dog handler with the greatest regards to safety and respect cannot be overstated in this evaluation.
Your dog should never negatively impact the environment. Definition of negative impacting behaviours includes, but is not limited to:
- Aggressive barking and growling – whether in or at your home or on the street
- Lunging or barking either playfully or aggressively toward people or animals
- Eliminating or voiding on private property
- Not “toileting” at home or if an accident happens not picking up after your dog
- A handler being “dragged” by their dog
- Predatory chasing of any kind
- Dog loose with no handling
A dog handler should always have his/her dog walking on a loose leash and be under continuous and effective control at all times. A dog owner should always exude a confident handling attitude.
** Toilet your dog at home first
** Pick-up droppings if required
** Yield right of way to pedestrians and lesser competent handlers.
S.M.A.R.T. Program
Test - Practical
Description and Methodology
1. Appearance and Health
a) This shows the handler’s level of responsibility not only towards their charge, but speaks as well to the issue of health concerns regarding animals in the human environment.
b) This rates the dog’s level of habituation and the ability to accept manipulation from the handler. If dog is incapable of this “communication”, it will indicate a limitation of the physical and mental control (by the handler), which will more than likely worsen under stressful conditions.
Practical
a) Dog will be presented groomed and in sign of good health. Proof of current vaccinations including Rabies and municipal licencing (if applicable) must be presented. Team will fail if dog exhibits signs of injury or poor health or if dog is presented in an unkempt way.
b) Handler will open the dog’s mouth, running fingers along the gum line and handle all four feet including the pads, between the webbing and the nails. Dog must be able to comfortably submit to this manipulation with only minimal movement. Team will fail if dog cannot submit in a relaxed way, to show complete control by the handler.
2. Street Confidence
Team shall walk along a four-block radius (two busy streets and two residential streets) with dog on a loose leash, ambient sounds of cars etc.
Practical
The team shall walk confidently communicating with each other. Dog shall not react to ambient noise. Awareness of the environment is acceptable. Team will fail if dog shows startle and reacts to the environment.
3. Passer-by with stroller
This common situation arises often on the street and examines the ability of the handler to read his dog (more guidance?), but as well it addresses respect and right of passage for the pedestrian. Not all people feel comfortable around dogs. Give them a break.
Practical
The team shall remain calm and collected as approached by a pedestrian with a stroller. At a point of respect, the dog team shall yield right of way to pedestrian by moving safely off the sidewalk. Team must remain composed and quiet with dog at a sit or a down and commences with the walk only after pedestrian has safely passed. Team will fail if dog shows anything but mild interest toward pedestrian.
4. Bicycle / Skateboarder / or Rollerblader passing from behind.
Habituation to sounds from behind is difficult at best and can be quite unnerving for both dog and handler. Remember people can be very unpredictable.
Practical
Cyclist will approach from behind to pass. Handler will give right of passage by safely moving off the sidewalk to one side so as all may remain safe. Team will fail if dog is unable to feel secure and to look back to handler. The team must remain calm and collected with dog at sit or down and at no time will the dog make any movement toward anyone or anything. When the cyclist has passed the team will then move on.
5. Barking Dog across the street
This situation is all too common and should not have be tolerated. It is often a highly agitating situation for most handlers and dogs.
Practical
Barking dog and handler will be positioned on coming, but on opposite side of street. Team will continue with dog communicating back to handler. Team will fail if dog reacts to scenario.
6. Pedestrian using cane / walker / or crutches.
Unfamiliarity (pedestrian will not appear to move normally to what the dog may have been previously conditioned to expect) can be a concern to dogs. Dogs are instinctually programmed to fear people/animals that are not familiar and of what they do not understand. This, again, examines the ability of the dog to look back to the handler for assistance. Also, bear in mind that the pedestrian may not feel comfortable passing the dog (maybe feels compromised as well).
Practical
The team shall remain calm and collected when approached by pedestrian. At a point of respect the team shall yield right of way to pedestrian by moving to the side and safely off the sidewalk. Team must remain composed and quiet (say hello to acknowledge pedestrian) with dog in a sit or a down and will commence walking only after pedestrian has safely passed. Team will fail if dog shows anything but mild interest toward pedestrian.
7. Passing Crowd
Numbers of people can be overwhelming for some dogs, especially if the crowd is somewhat loud or rowdy. This situation, if not handled correctly, has the potential to end rather poorly.
Practical
A crowd of shouting and loudly laughing rowdies will fast approach from behind and scatter around as they pass. The handler will stop and place dog in a sit or a down until all have passed. Team will commence walk to the corner where crowd will be waiting to cross the street. The handler will sit or down the dog until the crowd moves along. Team will then commence the walk. Team will fail if dog is unable to relax back to handler.
8. Animal distraction
All too common a cat, rabbit or bird may cross the path of a team. The reflexes of a dog are so quick and just like any other scenario the handler must see the "big picture" (constantly scanning for situations) in order to keep ahead of the dog’s thoughts.
Practical
An animal (confined in a cage or leashed) will be on the sidewalk or just to the side and in view of the team. The handler must have dog’s attention. The ability of a handler to redirect dog back to look at them is the cornerstone of safety. Team will fail if dog becomes “keyed” or fixated on the animal.
9. Sudden Noise
The shock of a noise can unsettle a dog and then unnerve his handler. A dog must be taught in these instances to look immediately back to the handler, so that the handler can keep continuous control. If this type of conditioning is done right the amount of communication or control over the dog’s mind becomes limitless.
Practical
A banging sound will emanate from a bus shelter simulating a cleaning crew at work. Team passes by the noisy structure controlled and calm. As always, dog is allowed to be aware of his surroundings (small startle may occur with handler as well as the dog), but should not react to them. Team fails if dog does not show confidence in handler.
10. Passing of Assistance/Service Dog
The street is the A/S dog’s venue. Too often pets are allowed to impede the performance / movement of these dogs. Give these professional teams the break they deserve. Give them right of way.
Practical
Professional team approaches on coming. As soon as able, team should move to the side off of the sidewalk to allow free and right of way passage to pro-team. Dog should be placed in a sit or in a down. Handler should acknowledge pro-handler and explain that their dog is off of the path by saying, ”hello, I have a dog with me and I am giving you right of way. Have a good day”. Team fails if dog shows anything but mild interest.
11. Stability in a Vehicle
All to often we see a vehicle go by with a dog barking and bouncing off the windows. This is not only disrespectful to the public, but also dangerous. Not only is the dog engaging in an attack (even though he can’t get out, he is trying to), but the danger of distraction and impediment of the driver’s ability is obviously a grave concern. A dog must be handled correctly within a vehicle.
Practical
Team will disembark for a short ride in their vehicle. Dog may be on any seat ( belted, screened or otherwise) as long as it does not hamper handler / driver from free movement and vision. Dog shall remain stationary and quiet and either sitting or lying down. Evaluator will be situated on the street to monitor exam. Team will drive by a few dogs. Team will fail if dog reacts negatively to the environment or impedes driver in anyway.
Safety First
Life Happens
This is a practical evaluation. This exam will not be stopped if an unplanned distraction or a normal street “activity” should occur. Expect this to happen! You will be evaluated on your capability to adhere to the creed;
Safety for the team
Safety for the environment
Respect to all
To certify you must complete and not fail any of the components contained within. On successful completion, a numbered certificate and evaluation sheet will be provided.
Upon a team failure, the team may re-challenge the test at a later date.
This program is open to all dogs, dog crosses, all ages and all sexes.
Periodic testing of a team may be beneficial as dogs and their handlers can often mature into new behaviours as their experiences broaden.
***Due to the obvious inherent dangers associated with working with dogs and working on public streets with dogs, it is advised that you do not attempt to utilize the S.M.A.R.T. Program without training. Please contact us for information regarding our S.M.A.R.T. Preparatory clinics and S.M.A.R.T. Certified Trainer and Evaluator Clinics.
