Nobody notices the good dogs. Responsible dog owners who train and socialize, scoop the poop, keep their dogs leashed except in off-leash areas, don’t let their dogs bark inappropriately and keep their dogs clean and pest-free don’t make front page news or even last-page news. They are simply invisible as part of the picture of everyday life. People notice the unusual, the disturbing and the tragic and unfortunately for dogs, that means attention is paid to the problem dogs and irresponsible owners that make up only a tiny percentage of the population.

The Canadian Kennel Club has initiated a national program to bring focus to the real news: Most dog owners are responsible; most dogs are under control and well behaved; and most dogs and owners are a positive, beneficial part of the community.

It is called RDOG (Responsible Dog Ownership Groups). The concept is that CKC members and clubs put on events across Canada during National Responsible Dog Ownership Week in September, culminating in a National Walk of Support happening at the same time all across the country on RDOG Day. It is a way to make good dogs and responsible owners newsworthy and get some attention paid to dogs and owners that are not doing anything scary (like growling at children), or revolting (like leaving poop on the sidewalk).

The CKC has partnered with Canada Post, the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, the Canada Safety Council, and provincial associations such as the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, as well as other professional services and like-minded businesses, making this a truly national program. At the local level, animal control services and veterinary clinics are also on board in many communities.
The dog-showing, -breeding and -owning communities have been taking it on the chin for some time. Anti-breeder and anti-dog sentiment makes us want to step out of the spotlight and try to hide so nobody will notice we have a dog or two. We stay in our own groups and since dogs are allowed in fewer and fewer public places, we tend not to bring them with us to the bank or the mall. The RDOG plan asks us to step into the spotlight and promote responsible dog ownership.

The Canadian Kennel Club states that, “The strength and purpose motivating the RDOG initiative is based on common and collaborative understanding that responsible dog ownership must be instilled in all dog owners. It must be consistent messaging and be promoted at every opportunity from every corner of the canine community. The cornerstone for success in year two and more importantly for continuing success in the future depends on local outreach, promotion and interaction.” Strong words coming from an organization that has been pretty much irrelevant and invisible to the average pet owner for years.

On September 26, 2009, CKC members and clubs rose to the challenge. Canada-wide, RDOG events drew active participation from hundreds of people and dogs and got some media attention as well. Seventeen mayors in towns and cities across Canada proclaimed September 19 to September 26, 2009, as Responsible Dog Ownership Week and September 26, 2009, as RDOG Day. The Calgary Associated Dog Fanciers Club held a walk and donated $5,000 to the City of Calgary Animal Services’ spay and neuter program; Valley Kennel Club had a picnic attended by the town reeve and councillors; 40 or so Saskatoon dog owners met for their second RDOG walk and attracted a lot of attention as they paraded along the South Saskatchewan River; the Peterborough and District Obedience Club set up in the farmers market and did obedience demos, agility relay races and a Canine Good Neighbour (CGN) test; the CKC sponsored free CGN tests and profiled some of our heritage breeds in downtown Toronto… and that’s just a sampling.

In RDOG’s inaugural year, 2008, just over 30 communities across Canada participated. In 2009, the number was up to 40 and the number of local events doubled. The momentum is building as evidenced by the increased media attention with television and newspaper coverage at many events.

While the main focus is on National Responsible Dog Ownership Week and the cross-Canada walk on RDOG Day, the RDOG program is ongoing year-round. The CKC Responsible Dog Ownership Committee has made new material available for members to use to educate the public about interactions with dogs. The RDOG Canine Safety Resources package has excellent information on safe and responsible interaction between dogs and kids, and between dogs and people who may come into contact with them in the workplace.

RDOG promotes CKC members as helpful, knowledgeable people, the go-to bunch for all things canine. “The value our canine friends bring to Canadian society will only be recognized and respected through our collective contributions and input to the communities where we live,” says the CKC on its website. “When we offer our skills, expertise and knowledge directly to our neighbourhoods we will be seen as proactive, positive contributors. We should be available to help and encourage those needing our information so we can explain the benefits we can provide as CKC members and dog experts.”
With anti-dog sentiment swirling around us everywhere, the RDOG program gives CKC members a way to bring positive attention to our canine companions and to ourselves as responsible and knowledgeable dog owners.

It’s time to start planning an RDOG extravaganza for 2010.

For information, suggestions and material to help organize and host an RDOG event, go to the CKC website or email rdogs@ckc.ca.