By Dr Clive DaltonThe law
Ownership of a working dog carries with it some clearly-defined legal responsibilities under current legislation. Your main responsibilities are to:
· Make sure a dog is registered and that the certificate is in a secure place and readily available.
· Have collars, discs, or tags for all dogs and make sure they wear them at all times.
· Notify any change of address, either permanent or temporary if you move, or if you sell the dog.
· Ensure discs or labels are not tampered with.
· Present all dogs for treatment for hydatids as required.
· Keep dogs under control at all times.
· Make certain dogs are well housed.
· Ensure dogs are well fed.
The dog is also covered under legislation that states that an animal must be provided with adequate food, water, and shelter, and given adequate exercise. Ill-treating your dog or cruelly ill-treating it is an offence under the law.
Registration
All dogs must be registered annually with a "territorial authority" such as a borough council, county council, district council or city council, or a hydatids and dog control authority acting on behalf of these. All farm dogs over 3 months of age must be registered.
The fees vary with each territorial authority and some charge lower fees for working dogs and neutered dogs. You are not allowed to shop round for the cheapest authority - you register your dog where you live!
Proof of ownership, other than the owners certificate is the label or disc that the dog should wear at all times. This shows:
· The territorial authority where the dog is registered.
· Year of registration, also shown by the colour of the tag.
· The dogs ownership number.
New collars can be purchased from the authority. Old ones can be used provided the current label or tag is firmly attached. If a collar or disc is lost, you can apply to the authority for a replacement and youll have to pay for it.
Remember that if a dog is found without a collar, it will be "deemed as unregistered" until you can prove the contrary.
Selling a dog
When selling a dog, if its under 3 months of age, there is no obligation to register it before sale. If you sell the dog when over 3 months of age you must notify the territorial authority in writing within 14 days that the dog has been sold. Theres no fee charged for change of ownership.
When selling a dog you must:
· Give the new owner a current treatment certificate showing that the dog has been treated for hydatids in the last 42 days.
· Provide the authority with the name and address of the new owner and the address where the dog in normally kept.
Buying a dog
If you buy a dog under 3 months of age, the vendor doesnt have to produce a hydatids treatment certificate. As a new owner you must:
· Register the dog before its 3 months old
· If over 3 months old, get the original owner to provide a certificate to show the dog has been treated for hydatids in the last 42 days.
· Notify the territorial authority in writing within 14 days of purchase the name of the authority the dog came from.
Moving with your dog
If you move within the same territorial authority, then notify the territorial authority of your address change, in writing, within 14 days .
If you move to a new authority, notify them in writing within 6 weeks of moving where the dog came from. Then inform the authority you have just left that youve moved, and give them the new address where the dog is kept. It would pay to do this in writing too.
These two situations are important for stockpersons doing casual work and for those having dogs on trial before purchase. Its also important for people traveling outside their district to always carry their dogs hydatids treatment certificate. It should show that treatment has been carried out within the last 42 days.
Control of dogs
This part of the act is important for farm dogs. It covers the fact that dogs must be kept under control at all times. If a dog is considered to be out of control, then a number of things can happen. Important examples are:
· A Dog Control Officer can impound it.
· The occupier of the land on which the dog is found can impound it.
· If the dog is in a public place from which dogs are prohibited, anyone can seize the dog, or arrange for it to be seized and impounded.
· Anyone can impound a dog (or dogs) if they consider it to be causing distress, annoyance, and damage to property other than the owners.
The occupier of land where a dog causes a nuisance can either return the dog to its owner or hand it over to a Dog Control Officer or Dog Ranger.
Barking dogs
If a barking dog has been reported to a Dog Control Officer or Dog Ranger, and there are reasonable grounds to believe that its barking constitutes a nuisance, an officer or ranger can:
· Enter the land or premises (other than a dwelling house) at any reasonable time to inspect the conditions under which the dog is kept.
· Give the owner a written notice requiring him/her to abate the nuisance or remove the dog. The owner may object within 7 days.
Disqualification from ownership
A territorial authority may apply to a court to disqualify a person from owning a dog if convicted of a range of listed offences in the legislation.
Dogs attacking people or livestock or rushing at vehicles
Anyone who sees a dog attack stock or poultry, or who is themselves attacked, can either seize the dog or destroy it immediately. Note that police dogs are exempt! Once you have seized the dog, you must hand it over to its owner or to a Dog Control Officer or Ranger.
If you cannot catch the dog, you may call a police officer who can shoot it. It need not be caught in the act for this to happen, but the office must have reasonable ground for believing the attacks took place.
The police officer is empowered to destroy the dog only if he/she is unable to seize it.
Dangerous dogs at large
It is an offence for owners of a dangerous dog to have it at large without a suitable muzzle. A "dangerous dog" is one that has attacked people, stock, poultry or property of any kind. If you keep it in a vehicle or cage, then this is acceptable.
Destroying dangerous dogs
A court can order the owner of a dangerous dog either to keep it under proper restraint or make an order for it to be destroyed.
Seizure or destruction of a dog found at large among livestock
If a dog is found running at large among livestock or poultry, the owner may either seize a dog or destroy it. Owners can also request their "agent", a constable, a Dog Control Officer or Ranger to do this on their behalf.
If seized the dog must be returned to its owner or delivered into the custody of a Dog Control Officer or Ranger.
Dogs seen worrying livestock
If a dog has been seen worrying livestock of poultry, the owner may make a complaint to the District Court. The court as a result may make an order of restraint or an order to destroy the dog.
Liability of the owner for damage
The owner of a dog is liable for all damage done by the animal.
Dog control bylaws
A territorial authority can make bylaws for a range of purposes. Those of interest to farm dog owners are:
· Prescribing minimum standards for accommodation of dogs.
· Limiting the number of dogs kept on land or premises.
· Requiring dogs to be tied up during the hours of darkness.
This article gives you tips, tricks and sound advice on recalling training your dog.
Do you have to keep an eagle eye on Buddy when you’re bringing in the groceries or answer a knock on your door? Is he just itching to make a mad dash for the great outdoors whenever the door is opened? If he makes his escape, does he fail to come back when called? If so, don’t despair, Buddy needs recall training.
Having a dog that comes the first time you call him is a rare thing. More often, it is the product of a grueling training schedule; repetition, rewards; repetition rewards. You probably know the scenario by now. If not, you have a lot to learn.
Before you throw your hands up in defeat and make Buddy wear his leash both indoors and out, or risk losing him to the dangers of the street, consider recall training.
Recall training has two basic concepts. The first is to treat your dog well each time he comes to you. Be it a kind word, a pat on the head, or a scratch behind the ears, Buddy will relish the affection you show him.
The second concept takes much more effort. Purchase a line that measures ten to twenty feet. Clip it onto Buddy’s collar and take him to the park or into the yard. Then, start training.
The line allows Buddy to put some distance between you. When Buddy has ventured almost to the end of his line, call him. A simple, “Buddy come,” will suffice. Be sure to have lots of treats in your pocket just in case he shocks you and comes immediately. If he does come, give him a treat. The worst scenario is that you will have to reel in the line to make him come. With this method, Buddy is responsible for his own behavior, but you still have control over the situation if he doesn’t obey.
If Buddy sits perfectly still when you give the “come” command, or watches birds and squirrels playing in a nearby tree, he hasn’t obeyed. Either reel him in, or go and get him and bring him to the spot where you gave the command. If this is the case, Buddy gets no reward, but no punishment either. Down play the incident and try again later.
The next time you try recall training, follow the same agenda. Never repeat the “come” command. Buddy should come the first time he’s called. If not, reel him in or go and get him and take him to where you gave the command. Down play the incident and try again later. Do this again and again and… well, you get the picture. Repetition is the name of the game. The process is long. It may take a week, a month, a year or more of constant recall training before Buddy gets it right and comes on your first command every time. But…diligence pays off and in time when you say, “come,” Buddy will obey.
In the meantime recall training will have its ups and downs. There will be times when Buddy will come. When this happens, give him a treat, rub his head, and scratch his ears and say, “good boy,” or some thing similar. Whatever else you do, reward his obedience immediately. He’ll soon get the message that obedience reaps rewards and affection.
Above all, never scream, yell, or hit Buddy if he doesn’t obey. If you do, it will set your training efforts back to day one. Buddy will fear you and instead of coming on command, he will put more distance between the two of you. When he doesn’t obey simply go to him, grasp his collar and gently take him to where you gave the command. This lets him know you are ready to enforce your commands and that he has no choice but to obey.
If you run into problems and Buddy just won’t obey, seek the services of a professional dog trainer. It may cost a bit, but a professional will be able to point out where you’re going wrong. It’s well worth the expense to know that Buddy will respond to your commands. This ensures that he will always be safe, so you can enjoy each others company for many years to come.
Read More..
We though wed best follow up our joint-post about Books for Before & After you get a Puppy or Dog with some further resources. 
