Guardian Angels Supportive Canines Assisting People (GASCAP-FPP)

The Power of Positive Motivational Behavior Modification Helping Dogs Help People
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     Tessa                                                                        Jinja                                                    Katcha                                                            Kika
 
                     Maya                                                                       Tempest                                                     Blu and Tegan                                                  Sampson
                Titan                                                                        Summer                                                                               Alvin
 
                    Duke                                                                                                              Tucker                                                                                   Scout
                         Rio
 
                             
 
Dog Scouts!?
What the heck is Dog Scouts?

Glad you asked!

Dog Scouts of America (DSA)

Dog Scouts of America is very similar to other scouting organizations, except the DOGS are the scouts!

DSA is a non-profit organization that is based in Michigan and is spreading nationwide through troops in various areas. It promotes responsible pet ownership, lots of fun activities for people and their dogs, education of dog owners and the general public on many topics, and fund raising or other assistance for animal shelters, breed rescues, and other charities.

They offer week long camps in the summer for people and their dogs to learn and demonstrate many different skills for which they can earn badges. At this time, over 70 different badges are offered. Some of the activities for which badges can be earned include: Water Rescue, Flyball, Agility, Therapy dog, Hiking & Backpacking, Herding, Search & Rescue, Carting, Scent Discrimination, 'Naked Dog' Obedience, Frisbee, Tricks, and Community Service, just to name a few.

 

 

Our Troop covers many counties, Middlesex, Essex, and Worcester counties. 

 

 

 

Click below to go to the Dog Scout Store for those who are already members to get their required uniforms.

 

The Missions of Dog Scouts of America include:
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SOCIALIZATION AND TRAINING

We educate people about the importance of early and continued socialization of their puppies. This is the first step to a well-adjusted adult dog that is less reactive and less phobic in normal as well as unusual situations.  Proper socialization includes introducing the puppy/dog to all sorts of people, animals, sights and sounds in a way in which the puppy/dog feels neutral or positive about these things- be sure the pup doesn't become afraid.  This sample socialization check list gives examples of all the things you could introduce your puppy to and allows you to put a check mark next to each item as it's introduced.  There are seven columns, one for each day of the week. Your pup should experience each of these at least a few times before he or she is 16 weeks old.

Properly socialized dogs will be less likely to panic in unusual situations which can lead to bolting away, biting and/or defensive barking.  Dogs normal behaviors are vastly different from our human behaviors and from our concept of "well behaved."   It is our job as responsible parents to be sure to teach them to live in our world and to teach them what we want from them in our homes as well as in public.  Dogs are not born knowing this information! 

DSA promotes the use of positive reinforcement training methods which are less stressful for both the dog and the parent, fun to use and easy to learn.  It involves rewarding the behaviors we like as soon as the dog does them and gently redirecting the dog away from behaviors we don't like and then helping him to choose to do what we do like so we can reward that choice. 

By equiping the dog with some self-control and basic skills, rather than letting him grow up doing as he pleases, there will be far fewer strained relationships, which can result in the dog being relegated to living alone in the yard or being taken to a shelter.  Some simple education for people and training for the dogs can greatly reduce the flood of pets into the shelter and rescue system!

Here is an example of some of the things you can teach a young dog: Training plan with check-boxes to keep track of what was practiced each day/week.

NEUTERING (Spaying or Castrating):

We strongly advocate the neutering of all dogs kept as pets.  Breeding is best left to the people who make that their mission in life and educate themselves about things like genetics, the health of their breed, proper care and raising of the adults before breeding and the pups they produce, being sure the pups go to the right homes and so much more!  The goal of any mating should be to better the breed, increase the health and working ability and to produce stable and safe dogs.  If your dog is not altered, then it is your very serious responsibility to be extra vigilant about their containment so that no accidental matings occur.  There is a great deal of research being done into neutering and it's effects on dogs.  Please do your research and make the best decision for your dog and your lifestyle.

CONTAINMENT AND CARE:

As parents, we are responsible for our dogs mental and physical well being.  Before we choose to bring a dog into our family, we must make a commitment to care for that dog for his or her entire lifetime.  This means educating ourselves about humane training, nutrition, safe containment, preventative medicine and veterinary care before the dog comes through the door.  It is the parent's job to keep the dog safe and at home and not allow him to wander loose where he can be injured, killed or assumed homeless and picked-up.  We recommend that people contain their dog inside their home, protected from weather and teasing kids, with a fenced yard or play area for daily exercise.  We are against tying a dog to a dog house and sentancing him to a life of lonely exile away from the family he loves.  This causes too many behavior problems and is not a good life for the dog or the relationship between parent and dog.

RESPONSIBLE PARENTING:

DSA strives to make dogs welcome in more public places by encouraging people to practice responsibility for their dogs.  We ask that people clean-up after their own dog and the dogs of irresponsible owners who create dog bans due to large amounts of abandoned dog waste.  We encourage people to respect leash laws because there are so many good reasons to keep your dog on a leash!  Here's the Top 10 reasons to keep your dog on a leash (also reasons to keep your dog contained!)

We encourage people to train their dogs so that they are well mannered and under control in public.  As other dog owners see the many joys of being a responsible parent and living with (and going places with) a well mannered dog, hopefully they will be inspired to manage, train and bond with their own dog.  This will make life more enjoyable for them and their dog!

DSA encourages people to find dog sports and activities that their dogs enjoy. There are many fun and educational sports and activities available to dogs.  The Dog Scout motto is: "Let us learn new things that we may become more helpful."  The dogs become more helpful not just because they have learned valuable skills, but because each new skill learned is a bonding experience between the dog and the parent.

THE HUMAN-CANINE BOND:

Dogs are more than just pets; they are members of the family, teachers and good medicine for our bodies and souls.  It has been medically proven that stroking a beloved dog will lower a person's blood pressure, slow the heart rate and aid in relaxation during stressful situations.

Evidence points to the fact that a positive relationship with animals fosters healthier interpersonal relations.  Children that form loving attachments to pets and learn nuturing behaviors during childhood will benefit by having optimal social functioning as adults.

In recent years, we have seen dogs performing their "magic" - termed "Animal Assisted Therapy" - in schools, hospitals and nursing homes.  Animals in the workplace are also seen more frequently now and are a means of reducing employee stress and improved productivity.

Animal association results in greater success in psychotherapy sessions, improved behavior of children with severe handicaps, better socialization of young children with their peers and increased empathy in preschool children.

Interaction with our pets benefits us emotionally and physically.  We develop in positive ways and can relate to others with more empathy and caring.  We become better equipped to deal with life's many challenges.

Join us today to help us educate others about these important facts and reduce the numbers of dogs being surrendered to shelters and being killed .