BAGSD Huddersfield guidelines regarding children & dog welfare

1. Children under the age of 12 may only be present at the club providing that the following guidelines are strictly adhered to for the duration of ALL dog training classes:
2. Responsibility –
   1. Parents are responsible for their own children’s behaviour, and dog owners are responsible for their own dog’s behaviour. It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that their children are aware of appropriate behaviour whilst at the club, and children under the age of 12 should be supervised by an independent adult to the member(s) who may be training their dog on the field. Parents and children alike should be mindful that many dogs are made anxious by children shouting, screaming, playing and dashing around. No dog is predictable in every situation.
   2. Equally, owners must be aware of their dogs temperament and behaviour and ensure that if their dog is likely to be aggressive (be it towards children, adults or other dogs) that all necessary precautions are taken to mitigate the risks.
3. When training is ongoing on the field, or dogs are within the training area, children SHOULD NOT be allowed  onto the field.
4. Accidents can, and do happen. Parents must always be mindful that they are bringing children to an environment where dogs are present and are there to be trained – both on and off the lead.
5. The known temperament and behaviour of any dog can be likely to change within the ‘school’ environment, and in particular in extreme weather conditions. Children should NOT approach any unknown dogs without the owner’s prior permission.
6. Children over the age of 12 may be permitted to assist in suitable situations to be discussed and agreed in advance with members of the committee.
7. Children under 14 are not covered by BAGSD insurance and should they wish to train a dog, they MUST be members of the Junior Kennel Club which carries its own insurance.
8. Dogs must not be allowed to run loose on the field at any time except when under instruction.
9. Owners must have their dogs under control at all times. WATCH YOUR OWN DOG! Its attention is where it is looking!
10. Dogs should not be tethered to the posts, or railings or left unsupervised near the club house or the benches. Nor should dogs be left unattended in vehicles without adequate ventilation.
11. Do not let your dog drag you on or off the training area.
12. The use of full choke chains is not permitted within the club; half check chains are accepted and are available for purchase from our club shop.
13. When approaching someone with a dog you do not know, give your attention to the owner; not the dog. Let it approach you; if the dog is timid do not force your attention on it. DO NOT lean over it or stare at it.
14. Teach your dog to go ‘down’ instantly. Practise this often.
15. Praise your dog when it is behaving well.
16. Don’t grab at a dogs head end when it is fighting – you can get bitten accidentally.
17. All mobile phones should be switched off when on the training field, and smoking is NOT permitted on the training field.
18. Avoid congregating on the club house steps; clear access is required at all times.
19. What to do if a dog runs loose………
    1. Instructors: Shout a warning ‘DOG LOOSE’ or ‘WATCH YOUR DOG’. Encourage all members to ‘down’ their dogs until the loose dog is retrieved.
    2. Owner of Loose Dog: Call dog to ‘come’ or ‘down’. If it does neither, run away from the dog (eg towards your car), calling the dog’s name loudly. If it runs towards someone it knows, ask them to hold it quietly until handler gets there.
    3. Owner – praise your dog when you catch it, even though it is probably the last thing you feel like doing!