This COP is mandatory for all TDTC employed Professionals and Associates.

1 Animal Welfare and Professional Standards.

1.1 TDTC Training and Behaviour Practitioners must make animal welfare their first consideration when attending to and working with dogs.

1.2 TDTC Training and Behaviour Practitioners must keep within their own area of competence and refer cases responsibly in accordance with the company’s escalation process.

1.3 TDTC do not endorse “aversive” based training tools as part of our teaching process. (for example, but not limited to, prong collars, check [choke] ‘chains’, electronic training devices[generally known as ‘shock collars’ and ‘anti-bark collars’]

1.4 TDTC Training and Behaviour Practitioners use science-led, compassionate methods. TDTC Training and Behaviour programmes are not based on methods that create anxiety or fear and will adhere to the least intrusive minimal aversive interventions. Pre Training Assessments are carried out to gather information about the animal’s health, emotional state, history and current behaviour to produce accurate behavioural diagnoses and appropriate training and treatment plans for the individual case.

2. Conduct.

2.1 TDTC Training and Behaviour Practitioners must promote good professional conduct towards clients other organisations and professionals. They should be open and honest with clients and respect their needs and requirements.

2.2 TDTC Training and Behaviour Practitioners must provide independent and impartial advice and inform a client of any conflict of interest.

2.3 TDTC will provide appropriate information to clients about the practice, including the costs of services.

2.4 TDTC Training and Behaviour Practitioners must communicate effectively, including in written and spoken English, with clients and ensure consent is obtained before any new training or behaviour protocols are carried out.

2.5 TDTC will keep clear, accurate and detailed records of staff, associates and clients. These are kept securely and any that are no longer considered necessary must be deleted (in line with GDPR).

2.6 TDTC Training and Behaviour Practitioners must not disclose information about a client or the client’s animals to a third party, unless the client gives permission or animal welfare or the public interest may be compromised.

2.7 TDTC will respond promptly, fully and courteously to clients’ complaints and criticism.

2.8 TDTC Training and Behaviour Practitioners must maintain and develop the knowledge and skills relevant to their professional practice and competence and comply with TDTC requirements for continuing professional development (CPD).

2.9 TDTC will ensure that all professional activities carried out by directly employed Training and Behaviour Practitioners are covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance. Associate Practitioners must hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance that meet the minimum requirements of TDTC.

2.10 TDTC Training and Behaviour Practitioners must not represent themselves as having expertise they cannot substantiate and must at all times follow the companies escalation policy to ensure cases are dealt with by suitably competent practitioners .

3. Security

3.1 TDTC Training and Behaviour Practitioners are required to be DBS checked.

4. Veterinary Referrals.

4.1 TDTC Training and Behaviour Practitioners will work together with veterinary professionals when necessary and with the clients consent, to co-ordinate the care of animals and the delivery of services to the client.

4.2 TDTC Training and Behaviour Practitioners will communicate effectively, including in written and spoken English when providing information to other veterinary professionals and on such occasions will observe the requirements of GDPR.