https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/media-centre/2024/november/changes-to-obedience-regulations-2025/?fbclid=IwY2xjawHJUzFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHUM80YgdCL-3EAmflJTfJGNOpive6KMA0IhKdavkCqAqujeXDBPSo3S23Q_aem_WjfwfvMGv-dRHCW5MHSLGA

Following a comprehensive review of The Kennel Club Accredited Instructor scheme (KCAI), The Kennel Club has gained valuable feedback from its members through questionnaires and focus groups. While the KCAI scheme has proven valuable, the review identified opportunities to enhance instructing standards to better serve the wider dog training community. Consequently, the current KCAI scheme will close in its current format by September 2025 for members who have not achieved accreditation.

The closure of the scheme for new accreditations is part of The Kennel Club’s ongoing work to overhaul its dog training programme, aiming to improve standards across a broader range and ensure consistency and compliance. Accredited KCAI members who are currently active will remain part of the network and retain their qualifications, provided they stay up to date with their Continuing Professional Development (CPD).  Members working towards accreditation who have completed any of the online modules before 15 January 2025 will be given the opportunity to complete their accreditation within a set timeframe, subject to meeting the required accreditation criteria. Those members who have not completed any online modules by this date will retain their annual membership until their subscription expires.

Helen Kerfoot, Chief Canine Health, Activities and Events Officer, commented: “The Kennel Club is deeply committed to providing the best training through our network of Kennel Club Accredited Instructors and dog training clubs.

“Our objective is to support these instructors and enhance their skills and knowledge, ensuring they maintain high standards and provide good quality training for dog owners. Dog training and its provision by instructors is something that The Kennel Clubremains strongly committed to.

“We greatly value the commitment and dedication of our current KCAI scheme members. We know that within the scheme our members are strongly committed to their work, and we look forward to working closely with them in the future.”

The Kennel Club continues to hold valuable discussions with Defra and other UK administrations to help safeguard and maintain high standards in the dog training industry. 

The decision, although difficult, has been made to ensure its services provide a clear standard for both instructors and dog training clubs to support dog owners.

The Kennel Club will be contacting all KCAI members in due course with further details.  For any enquiries, please contact kcaiteam@thekennelclub.org.uk.

As part of its health webinar series, The Kennel Club is hosting a free webinar for owners, breeders and veterinary professionals who would like to find out more about gastric dilation-volvulus syndrome (GDV), otherwise known as bloat, in dogs.

The webinar is taking place via Microsoft Teams on Tuesday 12 November, from 7:00pm to 8:30pm, and will explore what research has told found to date including causes, breed susceptibilities, symptoms, diagnostic approaches, possible treatment options, and what future research could teach us. Those interested in attending the webinar can register here.

The webinar will include a one-hour presentation from Professor Mark Dunning, an expert from the University of Nottingham, followed by a 30-minute question and answer session, giving attendees a chance to put forward their queries and experiences for discussion (questions can also be pre-submitted at the time of registration).

Bloat is an acute, life-threatening condition where air accumulates rapidly in the stomach, causing a sharp rise in pressure that can lead to shock. There are many risk factors associated with the development of bloat, including breed or type, with large and giant breeds more commonly affected. More information about bloat in dogs can be found at thekennelclub.org.uk/bloat.

The Kennel Club’s health-focused webinar series has so far explored other canine conditions such as epilepsy, colour dilution alopecia, osteosarcoma and haemangiosarcoma, as well as the science of DNA testing for health, with experts, researchers, owners and breeders. The webinars aim to raise awareness of various canine health concerns, explore research and future studies, improve diagnosis and outlook, and support dogs affected with the condition, and their owners. Past webinars can be watched on The Kennel Club’s YouTube channel.

The Kennel Club takes insights from its health data and feeds them into its Breed Health and Conservation plans, so that it can work with breeders to give information and guidance about how to ensure the future health of pedigree breeds. These plans, which enable The Kennel Club to track progress and make meaningful changes to breed health, have been developed as a result of reviewing more than 4,000 research papers, making the project the most comprehensive review of pedigree health data anywhere in the world. More information about what the organisation does for dog health is available at thekennelclub.org.uk/health.

Three in five dog owners say they want Government action or a ban, as a third of our nation’s canines ‘terrified’ of fireworks

Statistics released today (27 October), by dog welfare organisation The Kennel Club, show a sharp increase in dogs going missing during fireworks season, and highlights the significant stress and negative impact that fireworks displays cause for thousands of UK canine companions.

The research also reveals that three in five (60%) dog owners believe fireworks should be banned if the Government fails to take action on reducing the harmful effects that these can have on pets, while as many as four in five (80%) owners notice significant changes in their dog’s behaviour during fireworks. These behaviour changes, which are a common sign of stress, include unusual, excessive barking (29%), shivering and trembling (28%), hiding under various surfaces and avoiding contact (27%), howling and crying (18%) and excessive panting (18%).

And it is not just concerning behavioural changes, as 80% of owners also notice changes in their dog’s mood:

• 30% of owners believe their four-legged friend is terrified of fireworks
• 40% of owners notice their dog is scared
• And 52% say fireworks makes their dog anxious

Missing pet data from Petlog, one of the UK’s largest lost and found pet databases run by The Kennel Club, also shows 81% more dogs were reported missing by their owners during the two weeks of November 2023 which saw Bonfire Night and Diwali (30 October – 13 November), compared to the previous two weeks.

This year sees Diwali celebrations beginning this week, from 31 October and over the weekend – followed by Bonfire Night on 5 November. Both of these celebrations can be accompanied by bright and loud fireworks displays, which can negatively affect the behaviour of the UK’s pets, causing some to escape or run away due to distress and fear, with more than one in ten (13%) owners reporting their dog has attempted to flee during fireworks.

Because of the ongoing negative impacts of unregulated fireworks on the nation’s pets, The Kennel Club, alongside other welfare organisations, is urging Government to conduct a review of legislation with an event in Parliament this week. The organisation will recommend to MPs and decision-makers that fireworks be restricted to licensed events only, that the maximum decibel limit of fireworks is lowered in order to reduce harm cause to animals and vulnerable groups, and suggest the introduction of a fixed penalty notice system for the misuse of fireworks.

Charlotte McNamara, Head of Health at The Kennel Club, said: “The unfamiliar sights and sounds of fireworks, including loud bangs, flashes of light and strange vibrations can be really distressing for dogs, as this research shows. Alongside thousands of dogs showing clear signs of fear during displays, there are also devastating longer-term consequences, with pets going missing and running away.

“The element of surprise is a key issue for owners and dogs. If owners can anticipate fireworks, they can manage their pet’s distress in a way that works for their dog, and we’re asking Government to recognise this and review legislation to better control their use.

“Whilst we urge policy-makers to consider our recommendations to protect dog welfare, we are also urging caution from owners this fireworks season. Every dog will react differently to fireworks and it is really important that owners know what do to and how they can help their four-legged friend, and keep them safe.”

To try and help dogs to get through fireworks season, The Kennel Club has created a Spotify playlist for owners to get their dogs used to the unusually loud noises. This can be played at home on a very low volume for a short amount of time to start with, and owners can slowly build up to avoid causing any distress. If your dog does start showing signs of distress, stop immediately, and seek help from a qualified dog trainer or behaviourist.

Of course, owners should also remember that there are multiple elements of fireworks which can trigger fear, from cracks and whistles to loud bangs, vibrations, flashing lights and the strong smells in the air. Whilst playing these sounds may help most dogs, it is not the complete remedy, and further advice from experts at The Kennel Club includes:

• Making a safe space for your pet filled with their favourite toys and blankets. You could drape a thick duvet over the top of it to make it more soundproof, but make sure that it’s secure and can’t fall on to your dog
• Shutting all the doors and windows, and keeping curtains closed to block the flashing lights
• Distracting your dog or trying to drown out the sounds by keeping the TV or radio switched on, or a washing machine or tumble drier which gives off vibrations
• Checking where and when displays are being held in your local area.  Also ask your neighbours to let you know if they are planning a private display 
• Quietly and affectionately acknowledging your dog’s calm and settled behaviour during fireworks
• Keeping your pet’s microchip details up to date makes it easier to reunite you with your dog, in case they run away or escape
• Trying to act and behave as normal – your dog will pick up on any unusual behaviour. Remain calm, happy and cheerful as this will send positive signals to your dog
• Think about walking your dog when it’s light during fireworks season, so it’s easier to avoid any nearby displays frightening your dog whilst you’re out.

More information and advice on how to help dogs to stay safe and comfortable during the fireworks season, as well as the organisation’s policy recommendations, is available via The Kennel Club’s website. To check if your pet’s microchip details are up to date, visit the Petlog website.