ETHICS IN ACTION
Spotlighting INTODogs, one of the first training/behaviour organisations in the UK to be based on a positive, force-free ethos.
Over the next few months, we’re looking in detail at the 10 training and behaviour organisations that make up the foundation members of the UK Dog Behaviour and Training Charter
— a group intent on bringing the behaviour and training professions together for the benefit of dogs and dog owners.
While every single one of these organisations ensures their members adhere to the highest professional standards and work using the most up-to-date, science-based, positive methodology, they are individualistic in character, the members they attract, and the way they work.
This month we focus on the Association of INTODogs, an organisation of training and behaviour practitioners, and talk to current chair Denise O’Moore.
Q INTODogs is a really descriptive name, but what does it stand for?
DO’M: “The full title is the Association of Intuitive Natural Training of Dogs — which is a bit of a mouthful — so we’ve simply become known as INTODogs. Hopefully it says what we do, and in an age where organisations seem to shorten their names to very similar letters, it is hopefully a memorable one too!”
Q While some of the Charter organisations have been around for a while, INTODogs is still fairly new isn’t it?
DO’M: “Not at all — we’ve been around for a while, in fact INTODogs was founded back in 2007 by Theo Stewart and two colleagues who were all looking for an association that could represent them and other like-minded professionals.
While there were already existing choices, they felt they wanted something fresh, friendly, and supportive, with a progressive commitment to promoting positive and non-coercive methods. After seven years of working tirelessly to establish INTODogs, Theo stepped back and Lisa Tenzin-Dolma, the founder and then principal of the
International School for Canine Psychology (ISCP), took over the helm. Lisa offered a fresh new approach, catapulting the association into the mainstream and being fully accepted as a practitioner organisation. Since then, we have been going from strength to strength, with our previous chair Andrew Hale using his vision to push us even further into the forefront with a new rescue branch — INTORescue.”
Q How do the INTODogs members and practitioners work?
DO’M: “Our members are committed to providing support to not only the dogs that they work with but the guardians too, using kind and force-free methods.
“...the welfare and emotional needs of animals are at the heart of everything we do.”
The focus is always on the individual, their situation, and their environment; their needs are crucial and drive any behaviour modification programme rather than taking a formulaic, standard approach. This takes huge amounts of skill and knowledge to be able to observe, assess, and develop behaviour plans in concert with the guardians, and in recognition of these skills, many of our members work on vet referrals, and often, consults are covered by various insurance companies.”
Q What makes INTODogs special?
DO’M: “Gosh — where to start? It might help to ask some of our members that question!
● “Forward-thinking, non-judgmental, with ethical standards. Very friendly and inclusive group with a great focus on the well-being of their members to ensure the well-being of the dogs we work with”.
Behaviourist Claire Lush.
● “Incredibly friendly, supportive community.” Trainer Vivienne Moore.
● “We pride ourselves on demonstrating our ethics by the way we act, in how we deal with people and their dogs, and the support for our members.” Trustee/full member Dale McLelland.
“That kind of sums it up. We work to support everyone — the dogs, their guardians, and our members. INTODogs has a pioneering history; we were one of the first organisations in the UK to be based on a positive/force-free ethos. We offer free, continuing professional development (CPD) to members to ensure their knowledge is always up-to-date, scientifically based, and progressive. And we offer our members free emotional health support, because we value them and strive to ensure both their physical and mental well-being. We believe good support and education should be accessible to all and have found ourselves at the forefront of positive change within the industry with the setting up of INTORescue, the creation of the International Companion Animal Network (ICAN), and now the UK Charter.
“It’s important to us that we stand by our mission statement of ‘Ethics in Action’ where the welfare and emotional needs of animals are at the heart of everything we do. Listening to our members ensures we are meeting their needs as an organisation.”
Q What kind of dogs and owners does the work done by INTODogs particularly help?
DO’M: “It would be fair to say that the range is huge, everything from initial puppy advice to the more complex cases, which may require an in-depth knowledge of behavioural challenges such as separation distress and aggressive behaviours, but it can be any areas that the guardians feel that they need help with. Our members have all achieved the necessary academic level, accreditation, and experience to be fully able to assist in these cases.”
Q Why did INTODogs want to be part of the Charter?
DO’M: “It’s fair to say that we didn’t so much want to be a part of the Charter as that we wanted to create the Charter! In 2018, Andrew Hale, our then chair, took on the task of coming up with a new approach to the dog behaviour and training industry. He focused his attentions and unique skills on this project with the aim of bringing the modern, progressive side of the industry together around a self-regulatory framework. Over two years, and lots of meeting and discussions, nine other organisations shared his dream and the UK Charter was born.”
Q What is the future for INTODogs?
DO’M: “As well as fully supporting the UK Dog Charter, the future is bright for INTODogs! Last year we were co-hosts of the Pet Professional Guild’s incredible ‘Geek Week’ virtual event and will be reprising our role again this year. We are also working hard behind the scenes to find new ways to support and promote our incredible members. This past year has been a challenging one for all so we feel it’s vital we look at ways to help rebuild and strengthen the weakened structures of our INTODogs community, and expand our reach to help even more guardians and their pets.”
Q What advice would you give to new or experienced dog owners who may need help with their dogs?
DO’M: “Anyone looking for help, guidance, and advice should approach someone within those organisations carrying the Charter logo! It’s ALL about the dog, and it’s all about YOUR dog, so choose wisely when it comes to their education.
“One important thing to come out of the last year of restrictions due to COVID-19 is how so many trainers were able to adapt to remote training; this has huge advantages for everyone. You don’t need to travel — all you need to do is book a live session online. The response to all this online training to date has been phenomenal.”
Q What are you most proud of when you look at INTODogs?
DO’M: “Our members! We have always had an amazing array of members from various disciplines and have been impressed by how supportive of one another they are, but this last year has shown a different side to many people. This community has gone above and beyond, sharing resources, providing support to each other, keeping spirits up, and working through this together. Our members are our ethics in action.”