International Dog Sport Coaches Association

Preamble
International Dog Sport Coaches Association (IDSCA) Ethical Guidelines according to which coaches and affiliates (affiliate being a person who’s dog has or desires to obtain titles through IDSCA) conduct themselves. A set of Coach Practice Guidelines assures the public that IDSCA coaches will act responsibly. This public assurance likewise offers the Coach the confidence of the public.

Coachs work to develop a valid and reliable body of scientific knowledge based on research and apply that knowledge to helping dogs and their handlers engage in dog sport activities eliminating or reducing stress and maximizing fun. Coaches strive to help handlers develop informed choices concerning dog sport behavior and problem prevention and resolution.

Enforcement

In the process of making decisions of coach conduct, coaches must consider this set of Coach Ethical Guidelines, in addition to applicable laws. The IDSCA Advisory Board (AB) holds enforcement responsibilities over this set of Coach Ethical Guidelines. If a violation of this set of Coach Ethical Guidelines comes to the attention of the AB will make a determination of the breech’s validity based on the evidence it receives. If it is determined that, on the face of it, a breech would have occurred if the evidence is true a notice of the report and the accompanying evidence will be made to the Coach. The Coach will have 30 days in which to respond to the charge. The AB may ask questions or request case notes as required. The AB will then gather and consider the evidence and come to a majority decision on resolving the case. If a tie in votes occurs the President vote breaks the tie. If the AB determines that the breech did in fact occur they may retract certificate credentials or deny titles to affiliate dogs.

Principle 1. Competence
1.01. Coaches work within the bounds of their competence. They provide only services for which they are adequately capable. Competence involves having been formally educated and tested, or trained and tested by competent educators. It is also ideal but not at this time required that the coach have supervised practice and evaluation in the area of claimed competence.

1.02. Coaches provide services in new behavior sets only after undertaking formal education and testing in that area sufficient to understand fully the risks and benefits as well as proper application of the service. 

1.03. Coaches seek to use techniques that are empirically supported and are cautious of techniques or practices that are not empirically supported by research. 

1.04. Coaches refer clients to competent coaches when they themselves are not qualified to accept a case.

Principle 2. Nonmaleficence
2.01. Coaches take reasonable steps to avoid harming dogs or clients behaviorally, emotionally or physically.

2.02. Coaches dedicate themselves to the benefit and well being of the dog over the client. If a conflict in this interest arises the Coach clarifies to the client that this is their ethical priority.

2.03 Coaches terminate a coaching relationship when it becomes reasonably clear that the client intends to make use of excessive aversive methods in contravention to the Coach’s recommendations and cannot be convinced not to harm the dog.
2.04. Coaches do not participate in spreading untrue information about fellow coaches, in particular information that suggests negative connotations about that person.

2.05 Coaches and affiliates abide by any contracts or agreements that they enter into with any dog sport related entities. This includes abiding by all applicable laws regulating contracts and agreements.

2.06 Coaches and affiliates agree to provide for their dog's physical and behavioral needs, or advise clients on providing for the client's dog's physical and behavioral needs, maintaining their general welfare, including but not limited to nutrition, and proactive and reactive medical care.

Principle 3. Informed Consent

3.01. Coaches obtain appropriate informed consent to coaching, using language that the client can reasonably be expected to understand. The content of informed consent should include the following parameters of the relationship (a) confidentiality and its limitations, (b) fees and payment methods and schedules as well as consequences for failure to make payment for services rendered, (c) Coach’s credentials and experience, (d) priority of dog’s interest over client’s if a conflict of interest arises, (e) goals, techniques, limitations, risks, and benefits of consultation, (f) methods of assessment, coaching plan formation, (g) client’s right to refuse any part of assessment including any handling they feel is inappropriate and potential consequences of such refusal, (h) the client’s right to ask further questions and be clear on all relevant details before consenting to the cooaching relationship.

3.02. Coaches ensure that clients are fully informed of factors of the consulting relationship prior to giving clear consent to pursue the coach relationship.

3.03. Coaches terminate a coach consulting relationship when it becomes reasonably clear that the client no longer needs the service, is not benefiting the dog or is harming the dog.

For a sample of informed consent visit the forms library (hot link).

Principle 4. Confidentiality

4.01. Coaches inform clients that information regarding their consultation will be kept confidential to the best of the Coach’s ability except for certain limits or exceptions. Exceptions include the following circumstances: (a) if the dog is dangerous to others or is likely to be in danger from inhumane treatment in which case the Coach must report such danger if it cannot be managed and prevented, (b) if required by law to breech confidentiality, (d) for purposes of peer supervision.

4.02. Coaches will alter the identity of the client and dog if they wish to share details of a coaching case for educational purposes.

Principle 5. Advertising

5.01. Coaches will be honest about the likely results of their services and not guarantee specific changes in behavior or performance. Coaches promise to provide their services and advice only.

5.02. Coaches are honest about their credentials and do not misrepresent their relationship with IDSCA. They do not mislead clients or the public about credentials they possess and act to correct misunderstandings or misrepresentations that occur. In no case shall a Coach use an illegal credential.

Principle 6. Use of Animals in Research

6.01. Coaches do not cause harm to dogs that are subjects of research carried out by Coaches or for which Coaches participate. Arguments regarding how valuable the information will be are irrelevant.

Principle 7. Resolving Ethical Issues

7.01. When a Coach is uncertain about whether a particular course of action would be a breech of this set of Coach Practice Guidelines, the Coach should consult other Coaches or the AB for guidance.

7.02. If the demands of an organization with which the Coach is affiliated with conflicts with this set of Coach Practice Guidelines, Coaches clarify their ethical responsibilities and resolve the conflict if possible. If resolution is not possible, the Coach must choose between remaining affiliated with the organization in that context and relinquishing their educational credential through IDSCA or breaking the affiliation and affirming ones commitment to their Coach Practice Guidelines.

7.03. If a Coach becomes aware of a fellow Coach breeching this set of Coach Practice Guidelines, they report the details of the breech to the AB.

7.04. Coaches cooperate with the AB investigation of any breach of this set of Coach Practice Guidelines. 

Principle 8. Methodological Stance. Coaches agree to the IDSCA methodological stance and operate under that general stance. The IDSCA methodological stance is printed below.

International Dog Sport Coaches Association Methodological Stance

It is the stance of the International Dog Sport Coaches Association (IDSCA), its advisory board (AB), its coaches and affiliates that animal friendly, positive reinforcement based methods are the most useful and least risky methods to use in dog sport training, and most conducive to improving the human animal bond. Furthermore, we take the stance that aversive stimulation and positive punishment / negative reinforcement based methods are unethical, inefficient, risk serious harm and are the most likely methods to deteriorate the human animal bond. IDSCA, while pleased to discuss these topics in on email lists or conferences, does not condone or endorse the use of aversive tools such as but not limited to choke chains, prong collars, electronic invisible fencing or electronic shock-collars. Nor do we condone or endorse the use of aversive methods such as but not limited to leash corrections, helicoptering, hanging, alpha-rolling, scruff-shaking, spraying the dog in the face with fluid, throwing things at or near the dog, hitting in any way or otherwise creating fear or pain in animals.