Announcing the Formation of Vancouver Island Animal Training Association!

Vancouver Island Animal Training Association founded

Nanaimo, BC, 21 October 2010
On 16 October 2010, the founding meeting was held of the Vancouver Island Animal Training Association (VIATA). VIATA has been created to promote reward-based humane animal training on Vancouver Island.


Why Now?
"VIATA was created through a gathering of professionals, as well as other interested individuals, who are gravely concerned about the resurgence of "traditional‟ training methods – methods that are compulsive, adversarial and generally explained by the "dominance‟ model".
"We hope to provide networking, continuing education and training exchange workshops on the island for animal trainers, other animal professionals and pet owners" says Domena Diesing BSW(DE) of Definitely Dogs in Qualicum Beach, who took the initiative to form the Association.
"For the benefit of the animals and their owners, we hope to make reward-based methods a popular choice." , says Kim Campbell AHT of Coastwater Bichons Frises CKC Reg’d. "Even if a trainer is not currently practicing reward-based methods, we welcome them to join us at one of our upcoming seminars or workshops to learn about these positive methods."


Background
"Dog training has evolved a long way since compulsion and punishment methods were considered the most effective path to obedience", says Lisa Kerry ABCDT of DogGoneGood Dog Training in Nanaimo. "Training with love and compassion is not just fun, it is effective and gets results. Animal behaviour science and position statements by organizations like the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior make very clear that positive based methods of training applied correctly not only work, they ensure longer term learning retention. Positive based training is used more than any other kind of training in North America by some of the most respected and skilled trainers in the world."


The Current Situation
During the last few years, a large number of scientific reports have been published that are contesting popular myths about how dogs are ‘dominant’ if they do things like climb up on furniture or onto your lap, if they ask for your attention or if they beg at the table. Much unnecessary fear and aggression is created through these misunderstandings and through outdated punishment-based training methods.
It can be a challenge for a regular pet owner to know where and how to find a good trainer or behaviour consultant, or even to know where and what to look for. It is the intention that VIATA will be able to provide a network of both animal professionals as well as amateurs interested in animal training. We hope to be a resource that veterinarians and other professionals, as well as members of the public, can turn to when looking for a reputable trainer.

The Animal Training Profession Today
"Animal training is not a regulated profession; anybody can hang out a sign and call themselves an animal trainer, go into a home and possibly give out inappropriate advice, with serious consequences to follow", says Lisbeth Plant KPACTP, of Cowichan Canine Behaviour & Training Ltd in Cobble Hill. "We need to raise the standards of our profession through education and certification, work closely with veterinarians and other professionals in the field, and eventually perhaps also achieve provincial or national regulation of the profession towards some kind of minimum standards." VIATA wishes to educate professionals as well as the general dog owning public in the modern, positive, natural, fun and easy methods of training.

Want more information?

NORTH ISLAND
Domena Diesing BSW(DE)
Definitely Dogs
http://www.definitelydogs.ca/
250-752-2909
domena@definitelydogs.ca from Parksville through north island

MID-ISLAND
Donna Hill BSc(Zool) BEd
Vancouver Island Assistance Dogs
http://www.viassistancedogs.blogspot.com/
250-753-5246 dhill@uniserve.com from Chemainus through Nanaimo to Lantzville

SOUTH ISLAND
Lisbeth Plant KPACTP
Cowichan Canine Behaviour & Training Ltd http://www.cowichancanine.ca/ 250-743-7648 -732-5415
info@cowichancanine.ca from Victoria through Duncan to south of Chemainus