Code of Practice & Ethics

1.13    Codes of Conduct and Ethics

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1.13.1 We are committed to building a safe and inclusive environment where everyone can participate in our competition. This includes fostering respect, fairness, and equality for all participants, regardless of their background, experience level, or identity. We strive to ensure that our events are welcoming and accessible, promoting a culture of inclusivity and mutual respect.

 

1.13.2 We are Inclusive
We come from diverse backgrounds and share different views. We value and celebrate diversity and we respect the rights and dignity of each other. We are equal and are committed to zero tolerance for discrimination and bullying.

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1.13.3 We make Canine welfare and  health our priority
We do not engage in, or allow others to engage in, activities that put the welfare and health of our dogs at risk

 

1.13.4 We strive for safe environment
We do not engage in, or tolerate, threatening, aggressive or violent language and behavior. We do no incite or encourage hatred or violence. We do not intimidate or abuse our judges or stewards

 

1.13.5 We respect the judge's decision
We acknowledge that the competition judge's decision may not be perfect, but we do not call into questions their integrity, abuse or belittle them. We are grateful for the important and challenging role they play in our competition. We always show respect for the judge and other show officials

 

1.13.6 We play fairly 
We do not cheat.  We compete by the rules and the expected standards of fair competition.

 

1.13.7 We respect public property and spaces
We do not damage property, we follow event rules.  We keep our grooming station clean, put our rubbish in the bin. and we pick up after our dog.  We represent member of DA Canine Grooming in a positive way.

 

1.13.8 We are good sports
We respect good play whether from yourself or the competitor.  We thank the competitors and officials after the competition and we are gracious – win, lose or draw.

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1.13.9 We keep our competition Fair and Honest
We do not engage in dishonest or any corrupt practices.  We are here to compete with integrity, respecting their opponents and abiding by the rules, regardless of the outcome and we hold each other to these Standards
 

1.14     Code of Practice (Judges and Competitors)

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​1.14.1 No person shall enter the show if the judge owns the competing dog. If the judge previously owned the dog, the person shall not enter under that judge within twelve (12) months from the date of ownership. 

 

​1.14.2  A judge who has prepared or privately provided or bred the competing dog to a person in the class that they are judging must not adjudicate.   

 

​1.14.3 No person shall enter under a judge if the judge has groomed the competing dog within six (6) months prior to the show.

 

1.14.4 No person shall take any grooming products or tools belonging to the judge in the ring at which the judge is officiating.

 

1.14.5 No person of a Judge’s Immediate family or household including a person who resides at the same address or a judge's partner, shall enter the show.

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1.14.6 No person shall enter under a judge if that person has accommodated that judge or been accommodated by that judge in the period of twelve (12) months prior to the show or intends to accommodate the Judge within 72 hours after the show.

 

1.14.7 No person shall enter under a judge if that person has; 

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a) Instructor-Student Relationship - A person is disqualified from competing under a judge if there has been any form of instructional relationship, including as an instructor, student, or apprentice. This rule encompasses all personal mentoring, coaching, or tutoring activities (asdefined below). 

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b) Private Lessons - If a person has received private training or semi-private training at hands-on workshop from the judge, the person shall not compete under that judge within the 12 months, from the date of the competition.

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c) Exceptions– 1.14.7 a) and b) does not apply to: 

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1. Seminars

2. Virtual or online subscription training 

3. Grooming critiques at competitions or show rings 

4. Non-face-to-face tutoring 

5. Gaining TAFE work experience

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c) No person shall enter under a judge if that person has a vested business relationship with the judge including that of consultant, sub-contractor, or leasing within twelve (12) months prior to the show.

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e) No person shall enter under a judge if that person has the same current Sponsorship or Brand Ambassador as that judge.

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f) Promotors and Show Managers do not allow their own sponsored groomer to enter. 

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g) A judge must request that the person be withdrawn from competition if the judge has a conflict of interest with the competing dog/the groomer for example employer or employee relationships, financial considerations, separate interest in a Grooming School or Salon, handled or co-owned a dog with the judge. This is not a definitive list of examples.

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h) A person shall not enter under a judge with whom you travel to shows with. "Travels to shows" would also include those with whom one shares a hotel room or regularly dine/park/set up together at dog or grooming shows. 

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​​​1.15    Promotion Activity

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1.15.1 A person shall not display inside or in view of the judging ring :

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a) Wearing badges, clothing, jacket or other garments with visible sponsorship, ambassador or anything which indicates or might indicate they are a member of Groom Team of certain Company, Brand or Country. ​

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b) Contestants are not allowed to wear clothes advertising a salon, kennel name or grooming products in the ring.

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c) Any cards, ribbons, rosettes or trophies except those won at the show. 

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d) Any advertising materials

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1.15.2 Rule1.15.1 does not apply to :

​a) General merchandisers where any person would able to purchase from an open market

b) After the completion of the General specials.