British College of Canine Studies announces a free online course aimed at dog owners
As the Government faces a huge backlash from XL Bully owners and Anti Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) campaigners, the British College of Canine Studies announces a free online course aimed at dog owners.
The online course provider has specialised in courses for canine professionals since 2010. Students include Vet Nurses, Trainers, Behaviourists, every major rescue organisation in the UK, Groomers, Dog Walkers, and even Police and Military Dog Handlers. And their 3500 students are worldwide.
Founder, James Conroy (50), speaking from the College's Headquarters in the Cotswolds, says "According to news reports, the Metropolitan police are dealing with at least one dangerous dog every day. We know MPs are calling for ministers to introduce new laws to stop vicious dog attacks. We recently attended a meeting in Parliament, organised by APDAWG, an organisation supposedly advising the Government, but it seems the advice is not being taken. Instead of scrapping BSL, they've just added another breed to it. It's not the way forward.
"It was the German Shepherd when I was a young man. Then it was the Rottweiler. The Doberman got its turn as the devil dog. Followed by the American Staffordshire (Pitbull). This has been going on for 50 years now. I don't know when people are going to realise it's not the breed, it's the owners and very individual and often badly treated dogs.
"Yes of course there will always be strong, powerful breeds, that if out of control, are far more dangerous than say an out-of-control Chihuahua for example. But that does not mean every dog that is a particular breed, is dangerous.
"It means, especially where large and powerful breeds are concerned, that we need better owners, more responsible, and crucially, more accountable owners. We need the average dog owner to know far more about dogs, dog training and dog behaviour. We need education in schools for primary age children about basic dog body language, how to properly say hello to a dog, and when to leave dogs alone.
"We created the RDO course because none of us at BCCS can stand to see another tragic headline involving an out-of-control dog. The course is 6 short units you can study from home at your own speed, and you can email your work when ready. There's even a digital Certificate provided on completion. You don't even have to do the course! Just read the info. If it helps avoid one single incident, it will have been worth our time and effort."
Police data shows the force seized 479 out-of-control dogs last year under the Dangerous Dogs Act – up from 333 in 2021 and 336 in 2019. As of the start of May this year the Met police had already seized 154 dogs.
The figures – released under freedom of information laws – show that seizures of some breeds, most notably the American bully, have become increasingly common in the last few years.
The Met has seized 44 American bullies so far this year – almost three times the next most common breed, the Staffordshire bull terrier crossbreed, of which 16 have been seized.
The College creator also called into question, advice being handed out by some of the biggest animal charities in the UK, including Dogs Trust and the RSPCA.
"I adopted a dog from Dogs Trust. I sat through a video. There's a popular phrase being given as advice for those adopting from these charities, and handed out by trainers: ignore the good, reward the bad. It's great advice for dog training, where we literally ignore all other behaviours, and reward the behaviour we want to encourage. But the advice has led to a generation of dog owners who now ignore everything unwanted. I personally feel there's a difference between a dog training session, and life in general with dogs day to day. I'm delighted to see dog training become so positive reinforcement based, but there are dog owners out there who have been made to feel like they cannot and should not disagree with unwanted behaviour in any way, shape or form.
"Some trainers feel very strongly about disagreeing with anything at all. Dog behaviour and dog training are very different. In dog behaviour, dogs disagree with unwanted behaviour all the time. Dogs bark, growl, bite, snarl, use visible and biological cues like bared teeth and hackles, all warning signs to stop. Ears back, tail down. They give us so much information via body language. I don't see anything wrong with coming at situations and problem behaviours using methods far more natural to the dog. But extreme characters like Cesar Milan, made such approaches completely unacceptable. He was too physical and used force. But I feel the industry has gone too far the other way now. You can't even use an 'ah!' to stop unwanted behaviour, without being judged and condemned by some modern dog trainers today. Our courses maintain some balance and some common sense. This is hard to find these days."
The British College of Canine Studies offers home study courses on everything dog related, from behaviour to health and nutrition. They offer accredited, CPD and even Ofqual regulated qualifications. Anyone interested in the free Responsible Dog Owner Course, usually £9.99, can visit dogcourses.co.uk and add the RDO to cart. Use code RDOFREE at checkout for 100% discount. The code will not work with any other course.
