"Our dog's lives are much shorter than ours- let's help them enjoy their time with us as much as we can." -- Dog Scout Owner's Motto
Dog Scouts of America (DSA) was established in 1995. It is a non-profit organization people who are dedicated to enriching their lives and the lives of others with dogs. Founder, Lonnie Olson, has made it her life's ambition to experience as many dog sports and skills as possible with her dogs. If you believe that dogs really enjoy learning new things and spending time with their owners, you're our kind of dog person. Dogs were not meant to be "furniture." Working dogs want to work. Without having an acceptable activity in which to use up all of that energy that comes "built-in" with a dog, our canine companions often get into trouble. By better understanding how your dog thinks, how he learns, and what drives his behavior, and by participating in a variety of dog sports and activities, you will become a more responsible dog owner. We hope to prevent misunderstandings, communication failures and behavioral problems which often lead to dogs being given up as a "lost cause."
It is the purpose of Dog Scouts of America to:
- Promote, enhance, and give recognition to the importance of the human/companion animal bond, through a variety of educational activities and publications.
- Conduct research, education and service related to humane education and the human/companion animal bond.
- Encourage public education and community involvement on the part of its members.
- Support the involvement in the art, skill and discipline of animal behavior modification through operant conditioning and other non-traditional, non-punishment-based training methods, for the purpose of teaching various skills and activities to animals which will improve the quality of their lives and make them a more valuable resource to the community.
In an effort to educate, DSA will publish a manual, periodic articles, a bi-monthly newsletter, to disseminate information about the wonderful things people and dogs are doing or can do together to promote the human/animal bond. DSA will publish a web site on the internet, including information on a wide range of topics and links, including training and responsible pet ownership. It will also provide, via the internet, the DSA discussion list where members and interested parties can share a forum promoting responsible dog ownership in
DSA will offer a membership program for people who advocate the concept of people learning to become more responsible dog owners, trying to replace the attitude of dogs being “disposable,” and recognizing individuals who help our cause by similarly educating the public at large about the joys of responsible dog ownership and the concept of dogs and people learning new things together for the betterment of society.
- To further enhance the human/animal bond, DSA will hold five-day camps, once or twice each year, that dogs and people can attend to learn and develop all types of interactive skills. DSA will also conduct one or two weekend outings each year, which members can attend to learn with or without their dogs in a relaxed, natural environment. DSA will also hold instructor’s retreats, at least once per year, where instructors will apprentice and polish their skills. At the camps, outings and retreats, leadership training will take place. People will be schooled in how to become community leaders, promoting responsible dog ownership in their own communities all over the
United States. The leadership training program was developed to encourage people everywhere to take a more active role in their communities as Scout Leaders and teachers of humane education. In a further effort to promote the human/animal bond, DSA has the long-range goal of setting up parks around the country where owners can safely take their dogs to run, exercise, train and swim without undue restrictions. - To give recognition, DSA will use a merit badge system to honor the learning and training achievements of the dog owners. After learning and performing a particular skill, the owner will receive a certificate and patch to attest to the accomplishment. DSA will formally bestow the title of Dog Scout to any dog whose owner has proved his responsibility by passing the Dog Scout test and possessing the minimum standard of qualities necessary to proudly wear the title of DSA (Dog Scouts of America). DSA will give community service awards to people who have consistently and repeatedly distinguished themselves as examples of responsible dog ownership, and by introducing others to humane education. DSA will also give the “Good Scout” award to people who help promote humane education in smaller ways, or on fewer occasions, but may actually reach larger numbers of people (like Martha Stewart speaking out against giving a gift of a “Christmas puppy” on her national television Christmas special in December of 1999).
- To promote humane treatment of animals, DSA advocates only the most modern, behavioral approaches to training. DSA teaches the owners that everything you need to communicate with a dog can be done with operant conditioning, and without the use of force, punishment or abuse.
By teaching people to be responsible parents for their animals, these people (and their dogs) become a valuable resource in their home communities. By demonstrating to others how dogs can easily be trained with kindness, fairness and patience rather than domination, force and intimidation, more people will become responsible owners and will not give up their dog to the pound at the first sign of a behavior problem. More than 10,000,000 dogs are killed each year in pounds and shelters after being surrendered due to some behavioral problem. One in every four dogs in this country will end up in some kind of shelter at least once. Unfortunately, most of them never get to leave the shelter. By creating owners who will commit to a lifelong responsibility of raising their dog the proper way, sharing their lives with them (instead of tying them out back), and meeting the challenges of the normal dog behaviors which are to be expected, DSA hopes to reduce the numbers of stray and unwanted dogs substantially.
DSA is an organization which does not discriminate against any
breed. If a small dog, like Lonnie's Welsh Corgi, "Weasel," wants
to pull a dog sled, then she should be able to learn to do so (which she has, and enjoys tremendously). If you want to try herding with your non-herding breed, you should be able to do so, and DSA will enable you to earn a merit badge as proof of your dog's skills.
Any dog can become a Dog Scout. The only requirement is that the dog and owner must be able to pass a test, proving that the owner is responsible and the dog is well mannered and not aggressive toward humans and other dogs. .
The certification takes place at Dog Scout Camp. This camp is a 6-day learning adventure for you and your dog. Each year, different topics are offered at Dog Scout Camp. Some topics are offered at every camp, like Backpacking, Water Rescue, The Art of Shaping, and Flyball. Other topics are offered periodically, and are different each time. Some of these topics include: Agility, Search & Rescue, Herding, Carting, Frisbee, IMPROV Obedience, Tracking, Sledding, Freestyle Obedience, Weight Pull, Lure Coursing, Go-to-ground, and other fun dog activities. Once your dog has become a Dog Scout, he is eligible to earn and receive Dog Scout Merit Badges for achievement in these various activities.
The owner will receive an embroidered merit badge, depicting the activity. These badges can then be displayed on the dog's backpack,
What does a Dog Scout do when he is not at camp? During the year, we encourage your dog to continue to pursue the activities which he learned at camp. Scouts and their owners continue backpacking and adding miles to their log book. Many Scouts become involved in civic activities. Examples of some of the things Dog Scouts have done for the community include: walking in charity walk-a-thons (Dog Scouts have raised money for PAWS With A Cause, local Humane Societies, and CROP walks to feed the hungry), sled racing for charity (PAWS Mush-a-thon), and community clean-ups. In addition, many Dog Scouts are active in Therapy visits at hospitals throughout the year.
The Dog Scouts also have weekend outings a few times each year. The outings are free of charge, and are for members of DSA only.
If you share some of the same goals and ideals as Dog Scouts of America, then perhaps you would like to consider membership in our organization. As a supporting member of DSA, you will be helping to promote the idea that dogs should have a chance to learn new skills and try new things, making themselves more versatile companions. . As a member of DSA, you will receive the DSA Newsletter, and be the first to get information on camps or other Dog Scout Activities. Your dog does not have to be a Scout for you to join and support Dog Scouts of America. 
