RSPCA raises concerns about controversial USA dog trainer’s UK visit

The RSPCA has raised concerns about controversial dog trainer ‘The Dog Daddy’ who is holding workshops in London this weekend.

Augusto Deoliveira - who is known as ‘The Dog Daddy’ on social media - reportedly uses aversive training techniques and equipment designed to cause pain and fear in dogs.

His social media channels advertise that he is holding workshops in London on Saturday and Sunday (9 and 10 September), however venues have not been confirmed. At previous events, his venues haven’t been confirmed until hours before the show.

Posts on Instagram suggest only spectator (without dog) tickets remain for the events - and the RSPCA is concerned that the sessions will spread training techniques which risk compromising dog welfare.

Esme Wheeler, RSPCA dog welfare expert, said: “The RSPCA has received concerns about training techniques used by The Dog Daddy, who is based in the USA and is due to visit the UK in September.

“We, like many organisations, have significant concerns about the use of aversive training techniques and equipment e.g. prong collars, which are designed to cause pain and fear. These can compromise welfare and are completely unnecessary.

“We promote and recommend reward-based training techniques that dogs like or enjoy and have been shown to be very effective in achieving long-term change in behaviour without compromising dog welfare. 

“We've written to Mr Deoliveira and raised our concerns with him and have also made him aware of the legislation in both England and Wales of which he must comply with when training dogs.”

The secretive nature of the events has also prompted the charity to urge anyone with information to pass this to the charity via social media - but not the charity’s emergency line.

Esme added: “We're keen to discuss our concerns with the venues hosting this trainer, though these are yet to be advertised. Anyone with information can share this with us via our social media platforms.”