25th July - 1st August 2009 The Company of Animals is proud to be supporting an event solely dedicated to the training of dogs. The initiative was launched in 2007 and has continued to grow and develop over recent years. The aim of the week is to raise public awareness of the advantages of having well trained dogs which easily fit into society. So whether you are a pet dog owner, serious competitor, trainer, vet or retailer, they want you to be involved.

The focus for this year's event is to have a National 'STOPS PULLING' Campaign. Dogs pulling on the lead is the number one complaint of all dog owners in the UK. With the right training methods and some dedicated time, even the most persistent pullers can be helped.

As the primary focus for the week is training, Dog Train and Behave Week have enlisted the help of the UK's top 'Champion' trainers Dr Roger Mugford, Victoria Stilwell, Colin Tennant, Gwen Bailey, Fiona Whelan and Carolyn Menteith.

"Training dogs has changed a lot over the years and whilst all trainers use slightly different techniques, it is no longer considered desirable or acceptable to use harsh or punitive methods. We believe that the way to show your dog how to behave is through rewards, fun and patience. Training should always involve plenty of tasty treats, exciting toys and above all kindness. We do not advocate the use of choke/check chains or physical punishment."

How to get involved
There are numerous ways people can get involved, from dog owners, dog trainers and training clubs, to retailers and vets. Visit the Dog Train & Behave Week website at www.dogtrainandbehaveweek.com to find out more.