I hate to say it, but our country is desperately in need of ALL dog professionals to have legally protected titles.

Yes, there are a few EXCEPTIONAL dog trainers and behaviourists I know that that don’t have any membership, qualifications or affiliation, and I know it will feel like you are being punished because some people engage in incredibly risky behaviour.

It should NOT be a money making scheme for the government, but it SHOULD be a legal requirement to be part of an organisation or body that sets out explicitly they are actively against the use of any tool or method that is designed to be aversive and is likely to interrupt an undesirable behaviour by using any amount of pain or fear in the name of training - and make such use of such items illegal - no exceptions.

Not only that - but I want it to be illegal to import them into the country, own them, sell them or use them as part of an invisible fence system.

I want to see basic pet welfare knowledge being on the national curriculum - right from nursery.

We need to up our game - especially when it comes to those training assistance dogs and other working dogs.

All too often we let people scaremonger the vulnerable into convincing these people training their dog without such things will be completely impossible, especially those with high drive breeds.

I think we could begin to do this very very cheaply:

1) Doing an online test (needing proper identification to sit) to show basic knowledge of basic body langauge, dog care needs and knowledge of the law - which can only be completed on an identification number given from the below:

2) Local dog trainers, vets, groomers even to run a 4 week ‘puptenatal’ course - for an hour a week where at least 1 member of the family must attend - before they get their puppy or dog.

Yes it is simplistic - yes it’s not perfect but sure as hell better than what we have now.

Those who currently have dogs would be exempt, however pet insurance companies could be forced to have heavy discounts if owners choose to do them voluntarily, or even a token percentage off council tax.

Too many dogs have been physically and emotionally damaged by the above, namely because the owner is vulnerable themselves, they are being taken advantage of AND IT HAS TO STOP - through more education and banning such things we can increase the chances that dog owners will look in to educating their dog without pain or fear.