study context
DESCRIPTION
Normative Tolerances and Standards for Off Leash Dogs Jerry J. Vaske Maureen P. Donnelly Colorado State University. Study Context. The presence of off leash dogs at OSMP created potential conflict situations. In response, OSMP implemented a Voice & Sight Tag program. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Normative Tolerances and Standards for Off Leash Dogs
Jerry J. VaskeMaureen P. Donnelly
Colorado State University
Study Context
• In response, OSMP implemented a Voice & Sight Tag program
• The presence of off leash dogs at OSMP created potential conflict situations
• This study applied an indicator / standards (norms) model to understand conflicts with off leash dogs
What is an Indicator? Definition – Any measure that describes an experience
Examples Dogs off trail Dogs play chasing another dog Owners repeatedly calling a dog Owners not picking up after their dogs Dogs flushing birds or causing wildlife to flee
Indirecthuman-doginteractions
Dogs approaching a visitor uninvited Dogs jumping on or
sniffing or licking a visitor
Directhuman-doginteractions
The Role of Standards Standards identify the conditions:
Desirable (e.g., Picking up after your dog)
Should not be exceeded (e.g., zero-tolerance for dogs chasing wildlife)
Objective Link management objectives
(type of experience to be provided) To the indicators in quantitative terms
Linking Objectives to Indicators to Standards
Mgmt Objective – Provide quality visitor experiences
Indicator 1 Dog flushes or causes wildlife to fleeStandard 1 0% tolerance
Indicator 2 Owner repeatedly calls the dogStandard 2 < 10% of visitors experience situation
Indicator 3 Dog makes physical contact with a visitor
Standard 3 < 5% of visitors experience situation
Indicator 4 Owners not picking up after their dogStandard 4 < 10% of visitors experience situation
Structural Characteristics of Norms
10 3 5 7 9 15 20 25 100
Number of Encounters
0
1
2
3
4
-1
-2
-3
-4
Acc
epta
bili
ty
Inte
nsi
ty
Acceptable range
Concensus
Norm curve
Standard Deviation orPotential Conflict Index (PCI2)
Methods
• On-site Survey at Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks (OSMP)
• 951 completed surveys
• Response rate = 93%
Survey Questions
• Perceived problems with dog/owner behaviors
• Normative tolerances– Frequency of observing specific dog/owner behaviors
– Acceptability of dog/owner behaviors
– Maximum tolerances for dog/owner behaviors
• Dog ownershipNo: n = 431, 46%Yes: n = 509, 54%
Dogs sniffing visitor
-2
-1
0
1
2
Social Norm curves: Direct human-dog interactions
VeryAcceptable
Neither
VeryUnacceptable
A
ccep
tabi
lity
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Times Observed
Dogs pawing visitor
Dogs jumping on visitor
Dogs licking visitor
Dogs approaching uninvited
Social norm curves:Indirect human-dog interactions
VeryAcceptable
Neither
VeryUnacceptable
A
ccep
tabi
lity
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Times Observed
Dogs flushing birds
Dogs causing wildlife to flee
Owners repeatedly calling
Owners not picking up
Dogs off trail
Dogs play chasing
-2
-1
0
1
2
Social Norm ConsensusDirect Human-Dog Interaction
VeryAcceptable
Neither
VeryUnacceptable
A
ccep
tabi
lity
Dogs Dogs Dogs Dogs Dogs Jumping Pawing Licking Approach Sniffing Visitor Visitor Visitor Uninvited Visitor
Non-owners
0.18
0.27
0.380.33
0.50.39
0.3
0.18
0.23
-2
-1
0
1
2
Dog owners
0.07
0.09
0.210.24
0.38
0.54 0.43
0.12
0.35
0.41
0.2 0.19
0.26
-2
-1
0
1
2
Social Norm ConsensusIndirect Human-Dog Interaction
VeryAcceptable
Neither
VeryUnacceptable
A
ccep
tabi
lity
Owners Dogs Dogs Owners Dogs Dogs Not Causing Flushing Repeatedly Off Play Picking Wildlife Birds Calling Trail Chasing Up to Flee
Non-owners Dog-owners
Personal Norm Tolerances
Indirect human-dog interactionOwners not picking up 50
Owners repeatedly calling 28
Dogs off trail 28
Dogs play chasing 18
Dogs causing wildlife to flee 17
Dogs flushing birds 13
Direct human-dog interaction
Dogs approaching uninvited 35
Dogs sniffing visitor 27
Dogs jumping on visitor 27
Dogs licking visitor 19
Dogs pawing visitor 17
% of TimePersonal Norm
Exceeded
Summary of Key Findings
9 of 11 indicators reflected “no tolerance” norms(i.e., should never occur)
A “single tolerance” norm was observed for:– dogs play chasing (exceeded 28%)– dogs off trail (exceeded 18%)
Statistical differences between:dog owners and non-owners were minimal
Most serious norm violations:– owners not picking up (exceeded 50%)
– dogs approaching uninvited (exceeded 35%)
Recommendations
Given visitors’ “no tolerance” norms, management std. of:“no more than 0% of visitors should have their norms exceeded”
could be recommended
BUT this mgmt std. not realistic given current conditions
Consistent with other OSMP standards, recommend:“no more than 10% of visitors should
have their norms exceeded”
10% mgmt. std. currently always exceededBUT Voice & Sight Dog Tag Program is new
Questions