Dogs are sentient beings capable of experiencing pain, fear, distress, joy, and deep social bonds with humans and other animals. They serve as companions, working partners, and family members in communities worldwide.
Despite this, outdated training and management practices in many regions continue to cause unnecessary suffering. This Declaration establishes a clear, evidence-based global standard to protect dogs from harm, promote humane methods, and guide a worldwide shift toward compassionate care and training.
All training and behaviour modification worldwide must prioritise force-free, do-no-harm methods that rely on positive reinforcement, reward-based approaches, and other humane, non-coercive techniques. These evidence-based practices are more effective, safer, and kinder. They build trust, confidence, and reliable behaviour while promoting the dog’s long-term physical and emotional welfare.
Dog guardians, trainers, behaviour professionals, breeders, shelters, veterinarians, regulators, and governments share a collective duty to uphold these standards. This includes providing education, ensuring access to qualified force-free professionals, and driving cultural change away from outdated practices.
These principles apply universally — in homes, training settings, competitions, working roles, shelters, and public spaces, regardless of geography, culture, or purpose.
We call upon individuals, organisations, and governments worldwide to adopt and promote these principles in policies, codes of practice, and public education; support appropriate restrictions on harmful tools; invest in research and resources for humane methods; and share knowledge across borders to monitor and advance progress.
Organisations and individuals are invited to endorse this Global Declaration. By doing so, we unite in a shared commitment to protect dogs from harm and ensure they are trained with compassion and respect everywhere.
I endorse the Global Declaration on the Protection of Dogs from Harm and the Promotion of Humane Training. I agree with its principles and commit to promoting humane, positive reinforcement training while rejecting aversive methods that cause harm.
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