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.