March 29, 2022
https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/california-bill-regulating-dog-trainers-boarding-facilities-scheduled-hearing-call-today/
<https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/california-bill-regulating-dog-trainers-boarding-facilities-scheduled-hearing-call-today/>
A bill placing numerous new overreaching requirements on all dog trainers in
California is scheduled for a committee hearing on April 19.
It is important that all dog trainers and responsible dog owners in the state
use the information below to contact the author’s office and committee members
TODAY. Respectfully let them know you oppose Assembly Bill 1901 and ask them
to not support the bill as currently written.
Summary:
Assembly Bill 1901
<https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/21sdf0OvA2jNR_2OpfTkMQ> equates all
training facilities in the state to boarding kennels and, as stated in the
digest at the beginning of the bill, “would establish parallel requirements for
dog trainers, dog training facilities, and dog training facility operators…”
This would apply to anyone in the state who trains a dog in exchange for
compensation provided by the dog’s owner at any premises or location in the
state.
The definition of dog training is very broad and must be assumed to encompass
every type of training, including drop-in classes, public and private
training, Canine Good Citizen classes, obedience training, handling classes,
performance and sporting training, or any dog training in the state for which
the instructor/trainer may receive any type of compensation.
The bill establishes the following legal mandates of dog trainers:
Provide many of the same elements required of boarding kennels. This would
include:
Providing every dog with a floormat, rest board or similar device
If enclosures are used, ensuring that the animals have free body movement and
the head does not hit the top of the cage. This includes temporary crating.
Provide food and water at intervals suitable for the dog. AKC believes this
should be clarified regarding whether food and water should be offered to dogs
at brief training classes when dogs are not kept overnight.
Provide each dog daily with “enrichment sufficient to maintain the behavioral
health of the dog”. Again it is unclear how this applies to a 60-minute weekly
training class, and whether this means toys and other enrichment items must be
provided at every class, regardless of the length of time or the purpose of the
training.
Provide a written disclosure to anyone “purchasing” dog training services –
This disclosure would include whether the trainer is licensed or certified by
any animal training organization and a list of the trainer’s training
techniques, including whether they use “negative reinforcement”. AKC does not
support inhumane or dangerous training. However, this term is not defined, so
it is unclear if it would also include a firm verbal command or action to
correct an action or prevent a dog from harming itself.
Provide the same written information to owners that are provided by boarding
kennels. This would include the days and times dogs may be picked up and
dropped off, days and times personnel are on site, and the training facility’s
“customary daily activity schedule”. It is unclear how this will be enforced
when classes are not at a permanent facility and are not offered every day.
Keep written records for a year on the “health, status, and disposition” of
each dog trained.
In addition, violations will be noted by an animal control officer during an
inspection. It is unclear if this means all locations used for training must be
inspected, or whether this is complaint driven.
Dog trainers and those that participate in training classes in the state are
encouraged to review Assembly Bill 1901
<https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/21sdf0OvA2jNR_2OpfTkMQ> to see how
this would impact you.
Talking Points:
This bill seems to make the inaccurate assumption that all trainings involve
overnight boarding and take place in designated training facilities. When
contacting the author and committee, consider the following talking points:
Explain that training classes do not always include overnight boarding in a
facility. Classes take place throughout the state at community centers, public
parks, and local dog clubs – just to name a few.
Explain that there are many different types of training classes and they last
for varying lengths of time (some are weekly or a couple times a week for 30
minutes, one hour, etc.). Training can be for basic obedience, service or
therapy dogs, participation in AKC events, etc. The regulations in AB 1901 are
not appropriate for every type of training and class.
Express your concern that the vague and extensive requirements in AB 1901 will
be virtually impossible for many dog trainers to comply with. If this passes,
it could result in fewer dog training classes in the state, leading to a
potential public safety concern.
If you are a dog trainer, provide details of your experience and your class.
How long have you been a trainer? What are the nature of your classes and what
type of facility is used? How do you ensure the safety of dogs in your class?
Take the following actions TODAY:
It is imperative that you take the following actions TODAY.
Share this alert - If you are a dog trainer, please share this alert with your
fellow trainers and with those in your training classes and ask them to contact
the author and committee today.
Contact the author’s office. Respectfully let him know how this would
negatively impact dog training classes across the state. Consider using the
talking points above. If you are a constituent or hold/participate in dog
training classes in his district, please include that in your message. Please
BOTH call and submit written comments.
Assemblyman Adrin Nazarian (Dist. 46 – Van Nuys, Sherman Oaks, North Hollywood,
Valley Glen, Universal City, Panorama City, Hollywood Hills, Toluca Lake)
Sacramento Office Phone: (916) 319-2046
Van Nuys Office Phone: (818) 376-4246
Use this link
<https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/AFGOUJM3oHmAQqZH6pKhug> to submit
written comments to the author’s office
Contact the Assembly Business and Professions Committee. Respectfully ask them
to oppose Assembly Bill 1901 and consider using the talking points above. If
you are a constituent of a committee member, use the form below to contact the
committee. Otherwise, use the contact information below.
Please call AND submit written comments:
Written Comments: Use this link
<https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/Mlw0xqelwO3RpoNz0hm9-w> and follow
the instructions to create a login account and to submit written comments to
the committee.
Contact the committee members. If you are a constituent, be sure to mention
that when calling:
Marc Berman, Chair (Dist. 24- Palo Alto)
Sacramento Office:(916) 319-2024
Palo Alto Office: (650) 324-0224
assemblymember.berman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:assemblymember.berman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Contact Form <https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/p4mKQgiZ0stTT7jMdFUC2A>
Heath Flora, Vice Chair (Dist. 12- San Joaquin County)
Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2012
Ripon Office: 209-599-2112
assemblymember.flora@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:assemblymember.flora@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Contact Form <https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/BRN8woBv86XLXeO7gEExUw>
Richard Bloom (Dist. 50- Santa Monica)
Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2050
Santa Monica Office: (310) 450-0041
assemblymember.bloom@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:assemblymember.bloom@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Contact Form <https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/VkCe5P6rHOI9gw7zHjL9mw>
Mia Bonta (Dist. 18- Oakland)
Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2018
Oakland Office: (510) 286-1670
assemblymember.bonta@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:assemblymember.bonta@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Contact Form <https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/nZSV8JbaD62rDOPn2RpM-g>
Phillip Chen (Dist. 55- Brea)
Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2055
Brea Office: 714-529-5502
assemblymember.chen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:assemblymember.chen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Contact Form <https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/RHhdg6MrK_hgYVrD6-C9Bg>
Jordan Cunningham (Dist. 35- San Luis Obispo)
Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2035
San Luis Obispo Office: (805) 549-3381
assemblymember.cunningham@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:assemblymember.cunningham@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Email Form <https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/jbku08BSP7bQL1LdKVA5Ug>
Megan Dahle (Dist. 1- Redding, Nevada City)
Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2001
Redding Office: 530-223-6300
Nevada City Office: 530-265-0701
assemblymember.dahle@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:assemblymember.dahle@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Contact Form <https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/UTJnXrvHC3SVzfsO2WqnrQ>
Vince Fong (Dist. 34- Kern County)
Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2034
Bakersfield Office: 661-395-2995
assemblymember.fong@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:assemblymember.fong@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Contact Form <https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/IOfq28Tj4WWLnmCFCmpCng>
Mike A. Gipson (Dist. 64 – Compton, Gardena)
Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2064
Gardena Office: (310) 324-6408
assemblymember.gipson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:assemblymember.gipson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Contact Form <https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/-gDu-n9q00wmIc24BfV4sg>
Timothy S. Grayson (Dist. 14- Concord, Vallejo)
Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2014
Concord Office: (925) 521-1511
Vallejo Office: (707) 642-0314
assemblymember.grayson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:assemblymember.grayson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Contact Form <https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/U-Z1gCBgJe7wOiShqR-wDQ>
Jacqui Irwin (Dist. 44 – Thousand Oaks)
Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2044
assemblymember.irwin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:assemblymember.irwin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Contact Form <https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/FXPDl1I5DqkQmCPewl-hsw>
Alex Lee (Dist. 25- Milpitas)
Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2025
Milpitas Office: (408) 262-2501
assemblymember.lee@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:assemblymember.lee@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Contact Form <https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/zjMAaJFgVBg4N9B8Qzb8Ow>
Kevin McCarty (Dist. 7- Sacramento)
Capitol Office: (916) 319-2007
Sacramento District Office: (916) 324-4676
assemblymember.mccarty@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:assemblymember.mccarty@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Contact Form <https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/Z9NzM2msImh_vqlBp7jo6w>
Jose Medina (Dist. 61 - Riverside)
Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2061
Riverside Office: (951) 369-6644
assemblymember.medina@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:assemblymember.medina@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Contact Form <https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/b3TzeveHzwEVOSSEWz51LA>
Kevin Mullin (Dist. 22 – San Mateo)
Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2022
San Mateo Office: (650) 349-2200
assemblymember.mullin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:assemblymember.mullin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Contact Form <https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/GOmeuAKLx4uO4DSAlDrubg>
Rudy Salas, Jr. (Dist. 32 – Kern, Kings County)
Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2032
Bakersfield Office: (661) 335-0302
Hanford Office: (559) 585-7170
assemblymember.salas@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:assemblymember.salas@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Contact Form <https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/ReH4kyEwiJT2AUcZcJbdDg>
Philip Y. Ting (Dist. 19 – San Francisco)
Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2019
San Francisco Office: (415) 557-2312
assemblymember.ting@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:assemblymember.ting@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Contact Form <https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/08T8ixycae8WbBzSRiHNJg>
Akilah Weber, M.D. (Dist. 79 – San Diego)
Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2079
San Diego Office: (619) 531-7913
assemblymember.weber@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:assemblymember.weber@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
AKC Government Relations continues to closely monitor all bills impacting dog
owners in California and will provide updates as they are available. For more
information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@xxxxxxx <mailto:doglaw@xxxxxxx>.
Learn more and send a message!
<https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/dCymAizxxfPTCtIT6m-AtQ>
<https://www.votervoice.net/>
Stormy Hope
NAIATrust, Trustee
NAIATrust-CA on Facebook!
GSDCA Legislative Liaison to AKC
California Responsible Pet Owners
