Clubpets Responds—But The Concerns Remain

Thank you, everyone, for signing and sharing this petition. Here is an update on the campaign.

Clubpets has responded, and their statement is deeply disappointing. They said that the festival does not endorse any single training philosophy, but aims to allow attendees to hear from “recognised experts” and make informed decisions for themselves.

This response shifts responsibility onto attendees while giving Cesar Millan a prominent platform and presents him as an “expert”.  Dominance-based training is not simply another philosophy—it is founded on outdated and debunked ideas about wolf-pack hierarchy and can cause serious behavioural and emotional fallout, including increased fear, anxiety, aggression and broken trust.

Looking at the comments on 8days’ Instagram and TikTok posts about this petition, it is also clear that many dog guardians remain deeply influenced by outdated training beliefs, despite the availability of many qualified and certified trainers and behaviourists today.

However, I do not blame the dog guardians. We don't know what we don't know. This is precisely why organisers and media platforms have a responsibility to promote accurate, evidence-based information.

Bringing Cesar Millan back to Singapore risks setting public understanding of canine behaviour, science and welfare back by another decade. We should be moving forward towards humane, reward-based practices—not reviving the “pack leader” myths of the past.

In the meantime, the Ministry of National Development has informed us that it is consulting the relevant agencies about this matter. We will share further updates when we receive them.

For now, please continue signing and sharing the petition. Every signature strengthens our call for better education, greater accountability and stronger protection of dogs’ emotional welfare. Let’s keep the momentum going!