How
to get started
teaching Dog Bite Prevention Jen's Experience
Abbreviations to know: ARSF - Akita Rescue Society of Florida AKC - American Kennel Club DPC - Dog Bite Prevention Class CGC - Canine Good Citizen
It's a matter of sometimes of being
at the right place at the right time, but mostly it's asking &
being able to give some "substance" to who I am. I do this on behalf of
"Akita Rescue Society of Florida" who has a 22 yr history & can be
checked out and I'm an American Kennel Club Canine Ambassador (who
happens to be able to say we've won one of their Community
Achievement awards for our program) and I've now been doing this for
almost 12 years and if needed can provide some references (i.e.
teachers, scout troop leaders, library).
It takes time, but even in the
beginning, I will say that being able to show them a letter from the
American Kennel Club that I was part of a legitimate public education
program helps.
Also, networking - my sister back in
the original days was a scout troop leader. She told her other scout
troop leaders & I offered to tailor the presentation to a badge.
One of the people at my old Church was a teacher & she got me in to
do her class. She passed the word on to other teachers. I do obedience
w/ a teacher who helped set up a DPC at her school. In addition, the
director at ARSF makes sure that we are at virtually every Jax Humane
Society event that they offer a chance for rescues to set up at. One of
them we met someone from the library which opened up that door - -
worked it out w/ them & suggested about 10 dog related book titles
that I could think of to have available after the DPC.
Hook up with a group - local long
term rescue with non-profit status, AKC, Purebreed Clubs Public
Education Committee, local Humane Society etc.... you've got to be more
than just "Joe Blow" off the street. Be able to show that your dogs
have at least a CGC to help show they're not safety concerns. It really
helps if you have homeowners with dog coverage in liability. That has
closed a door for me on 1-2 occasions.
Just do it. That is really the big
thing. Continue to get the word out anywhere you can. We had
professional trading card type cards printed up with the 4 big rules
& had a picture of Rocky on them - it helps to be able to hand one
to someone & show what we talk about.
4 BIG RULES: NEVER pet a stray dog NEVER pet a dog who is eating ALWAYS ask to pet someone else's dog NEVER run from a dog