DOGS on DUTY SUPPORT GROUP

Co-Laboring Canines = SERVICE DOGS Helping Veterans & First Responders

OUR MISSION @ DOGS on DUTY

Dogs on Duty is a SUPPORT GROUP that was originally formed to assist, encourage and enable Service Dog/SDIT Teams, primarily veterans. As we became recognized in our community we expanded our group to include First Responders, Civilians, and then allowed Therapy Dogs and TDITs to participate. We have also allowed owners who are dedicated to socialize their working dogs or family dogs and agree to follow our protocol using the AKC CGC skill sets.

SERVICE DOG PROTOCOL

Using AKC STANDARDS & PUBLIC ACCESS SKILLS

SDIT Training Expectations

Neuter or Spay of SDIT (unless special circumstances)
Micro-Chip of SDIT & ALL SHOTS CURRENT
Young dogs encouraged to attend or participate in local basic obedience classes
Dog Team Participation in local planned events and gatherings for SOCIALIZATION training
Participation in our Pack TRAINING SEMINARS
Agreement to be RESPONSIBLE with DOG SAFETY PRACTICES
AKC CANINE GOOD CITIZEN (CGC) evaluation is required before IN TRAINING or SDIT patches are worn on vest or equipment in public

DOG TEAMS need to expect public interaction, feedback, questions, and reactions to having a dog out in public places, typically deemed off limits to pets. By operating as a Service Dog Team/ SDIT it is important for both handler and dog to behave professionally and not adopt an attitude of entitlement.

Some people may have allergies or have had negative experiences with dogs that incite a

fearful reaction. Your dog will pick up on this response.

It is essential to ALWAYS practice GOOD DOG SAFETY; be on the lookout for the unknown distraction or occurrence. In addition, you cannot know how another person’s dog (or child!) will respond or behave out in public. Use a SHORT LEASH if necessary and make certain your dog in under control at all times. Don’t get sloppy with your leash; don’t expect that someone else is following the rules. It is crucial that we DO NOT COMPROMISE THE MISSION, which is one of the reasons we try

NOT to ALLOW anyone to PET YOUR Service Dog.

If you do let someone pet your dog please explain MOST SERVICE DOGS ARE NOT TO BE PETTED as Medical Alert(seizure, diabetes, especially GUIDE DOGS) must be focused on their handler.

AKC CGC / CANINE GOOD CITIZEN

PAT / PUBLIC ACCESS TESTS

AKC CGCA / COMMUNITY CANINE

AKC CGCU / URBAN CANINE

SOCIALIZATION

Much Ado About Nothing....

Every Environment is a Training Opportunity...
If Your Dog Doesn't Think It's FUN, HE IS PROBABLY RIGHT!

Service Dog = A Lifestyle. We are continually exposing our dogs to new things in order to better prepare them for SERVICE. If you Train Angry, or Don't Put Your Heart into it- The Dog Senses Your "junk" -
It Really Does RUN DOWN LEASH.

WALKaBOUTS, MUTT MASHES
and BIKE NITES

Our PACK is REALLY into SOCIALIZATION.

It's what enables our SDIT (Service Dogs In Training) to get accustomed to PUBLIC ACCESS without too much Drama or Stress. Our more Seasoned Dog Teams Set the Pace and lead by example.

Because Dogs are PACK ANIMALS, the younger and inexperienced dogs in training watch and mimic the older dogs. The Dog Teams familiar with our style of training and the environments we work in encourage and communicate what we are doing and put the "newbies" at ease. We try to mix it up a little each time but a lot of our efforts are REPETITION - REPETITION - REPETITION. It is this CONSISTENCY that familiarizes the dogs or Dog Teams with GOOD DOG BEHAVIOR and SERVICE DOG PROTOCOL.

WALKaBOUTS

LOWES HOME IMPROVEMENTS is a great WALKaBOUT space. The ENTIRE PLACE is a gigantic obstacle course! We play Follow the Leader down the aisles, then stop to talk at the Garden Center.

MUTT MASHES

MUTT MASHES are PUBLIC EVENTS with Crowds, Food and Live Music. We set up our Doggie Camp for the duration, with chairs, blankets and water bowls.

BIKE NITES

BIKE NITES are held weekly during the season at places like Kickback Jacks. The loud Motorcycles, Crowds and Live Music are great distractions to train with.

TRAINING SEMINARS, BREW-HAHAS & PARTIES ON THE PATIO

Our Pack Leader, Beth Angel & her MONGO SIDEKICK organize Special TRAINING SEMINARS.

These SESSIONS typically last 3-5 hours and are held out-of-doors. Original PACK TEAMS get the word out and assist, and these Special EVENTS are priced VERY Reasonably.

Our spontaneous Get-Togethers aka BREW-HAHAs are usually held at Local Businesses that SUPPORT OUR MISSION, like FOUR SAINTS BREWERY, CAROLINA TAP ROOM, BOTTLE & CAN and local Veteran Organization AMVETS POST 905. We sometimes do a 2-3 Dog Team session or meet up for LIVE MUSIC in a large group.

PARTIES on the PATIOS simply happen, usually "RALLIED" via Social Media (FB), Texts and Phone Calls between our "Regulars" (PACK Members). We are NOT A CLOSED GROUP. Most of our DOG TEAMS are SERVICE DOGS or SDITS with a few THERAPY DOGS and TDITS in the mix. However, our group is open to WORKING DOGS and owners who are serious about training their dogs. (WE EXPECT ALL PARTICIPANTS TO FOLLOW DOG SAFETY MEASURE IN PUBLIC, using a short leash and maintaining control of their dogs at all times.)

BICENTENNIAL PARK

During the Summer, weekly free Live Concerts are hosted by the city in downtown Asheboro. Its a great opportunity to work on social skills without having to VEST up.