Dog Train and Behave Week

The spotlight will be on excessive barking next month during a week-long campaign by the Company of Animals (COA) to encourage the nation’s dogs to stop barking using positive reward-based methods.

Dog Train and Behave Week 2010 (July 31 – August 7) is the fourth annual initiative organised by the training and behaviour experts, raising awareness of the importance of well-behaved pets so people don’t fall foul of laws relating to dangerous dogs and anti-social behaviour.

The national campaign highlights the benefits of training and how easily results can be achieved. Throughout the week retailers, vets, and dog training clubs around the country will jump on board displaying posters, flyers, selling ‘stop barking’ training aids and products, and even staging their own activities to highlight the problems of excessive barking, educating customers on how to stop it and the training benefits.

The campaign is focused around the Dog Train and Behave website, which will be updated with participating organisations. People can download useful training tips and get advice and information from experts at the COA.

Renowned animal psychologist Dr Roger Mugford, founder of COA, launched the initiative in 2007. Last year COA ran a successful ‘Stop Pulling’ campaign. Dr Mugford said: “Dog Train and Behave Week celebrates the benefits of having sociable, well-trained pets by showing owners that dog training is fun and not as difficult as they might think.

“One of the most common behaviour problems we see owners tearing their hair out over at our animal behaviour centre is persistent barking, so this year we’re helping to restore peace and harmony to the dog homes of Britain.”

For further information visit www.dogtrainandbehaveweek.com