History

Traditionally the dog behaviour and training industry in the UK has been made up of various membership organisations working to their own codes and acting independently of other organisations. In 2020 some of the leading, progressive organisations came together to address the needs for self-regulation and improvement of dog welfare in the industry. The Charter was proposed as a model to bring together organisations behind a shared vision of standards and accountability for the sector. In April 2020 the Charter Group was formed, consisting of those organisations that were prepared to sign up to the common values of welfare and professional conduct directed by the Charter Document. The Charter Group seeks to provide a collaborative approach to the many challenges that lie ahead for the industry, including regulation, welfare, and support of individual practitioners.

Aim

The Charter aims to make a clear statement regarding the future direction of the dog behaviour and training industry in relation to professional standards, tools and methodologies. The welfare of the dogs lies at the heart of its mandate, making clear representation as to what is, and isn’t, acceptable in a modern, progressive profession.

It also seeks to provide assurance to the public, other professional bodies, and Government Agencies that signatory organisations are committed to open, transparent and robust complaints and grievances procedures that can be supported by independent arbitration if needed.

It is hoped that the Charter Symbol will give assurance and accountability to the public and other bodies. Displaying the Charter Symbol shows that the Dog Professional has been checked, monitored and supported by a reputable organisation, and has aligned themselves to the ethical, welfare and conduct obligations stated in the Charter.

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Charter Oversight Committee

In order to ensure there is fair, transparent and independent oversight of complaints and grievance, the Oversight committee has been set up. This committee is made up of a board of respected individuals from a broad background, who have no current affiliation with any signatory body. They will be tasked with looking at submitted evidence should a complaint or grievance need arbitration. This committee will look at the evidence in relation to the codes of the signatory organisation and the expectations laid out in the Charter Document.

The oversight committee currently comprises of:
Trevor Cooper BA (hons) in Law
Dr Robert Falconer-Taylor BVetMed, DipCABT, MRCVS
Dr Kathy Murphy BVetMed
DPhil, CVA, CLAS, MRCVS
Dr Motje Wolf

Signatory Organisations: The Charter Group

Member organisations that are signatories to the Charter have agreed on a set of minimum standards of animal welfare, professional conduct, and ensure that practitioners only use the most up to date and humane methodologies and tools. In order to provide extra accountability, Charter organisations have signed up to allowing independent oversight in relation to complaints, grievances and arbitration. Their full, accredited members will all carry the Charter Symbol.

The following member organisations are signatories to the Charter and form the Charter Group (click on a logo to be taken to the relevant website).

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Joining and supporting the charter

To become a signatory to the charter: 

If you are a UK dog behaviour or training member organisation that accredits, supports and monitors your membership and would like to enquire about becoming a signatory to the charter, please use the contact box below to make initial contact and someone will be in touch to discuss this with you.

Supporter : 

If you are an organisation involved in dog welfare, education or rescue in the UK and would like to show your support for the charter, please use the contact box below to make initial contact and someone will be in touch to discuss this with you.

Complaints & Grievances

If you feel you have a complaint or grievance against an individual professional who is covered by the Charter your first action should be to contact their member organisation (see links above). They will have clear details on their website as to their complaints and grievance procedure. Evidence will be requested, and they will deal with the matter initially and report their findings and action to be taken, if applicable.

Should you not be happy with the outcome you can ask for an appeal to be taken to the independent Charter Oversight Committee, who will request any relevant evidence. The committee will contact you within 14 days of the case being raised to confirm the procedure has been started. They will then provide updates every 14 days until a final decision has been made.

If you wish to contact us about the Charter (or regarding a complaint), please send us a message.

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