Fifteen dogs and 21 of their owners came along to Possum Avoidance Training for dogs in Busselton on the weekend, presented by expert trainer Asher Lindberg from Geo Bay Dog Training.
As part of GeoCatch’s Pets Away, Possums Play program, this workshop gives participants the tools to manage their dog’s behavior around wildlife, ensuring pets and local possums can coexist peacefully.
Dogs can cause injury and death to critically endangered Western Ringtail Possums and other wildlife in urban backyards through natural curiosity and predatory drive. Responsible dog owners learned distraction and ‘leave it’ techniques with possum-scented items to help avoid interactions with possums. The techniques can also be applied to other native wildlife found in our backyards.
Asher Lindberg provided practical possum avoidance techniques, helping dogs understand boundaries, which reduces stress for both the dog and local wildlife. Participants learned how to prevent fence-jumping, excessive barking, and aggressive behavior toward possums. Asher emphasised the importance of training dogs that may come into contact with native wildlife.
“Reducing harmful interactions between dogs and possums is possible if the owner is committed to putting the effort and time into training their dog to avoid possums,” said Asher.
This event aims to raise awareness about living with the critically endangered Western Ringtail Possum, a species native to the South West of Western Australia. Due to habitat loss, predation, and other threats, their population has drastically declined, making it more important than ever to protect these unique marsupials. By teaching your dog possum avoidance techniques, you’re not only improving your dog’s behavior but also contributing to the conservation of this fragile species.
Project officer Nicole Lincoln was delighted to see the dogs learning new techniques. “It is encouraging to see so many dog owners willing to learn how to protect possums and wildlife in their backyards, while also enjoying the benefits of pet ownership,” said Nicole.
This program is delivered by GeoCatch with State NRM funding. To learn more about living with possums, click here.
