The UK doesn’t have a dog problem - it has an owner education problem

Mission Statement

The Advanced Dog Owner Initiative (ADOI) exists to promote responsible dog ownership through education, assessment, and accountability. Its mission is to ensure that dog–handler teams can live safely, calmly, and respectfully within modern society by combining sound theoretical knowledge, practical real-world handling skills, and emotionally stable canine behaviour. 

ADOI focuses on welfare-centred training methods and evaluates the partnership between dog and owner, not obedience perfection. By setting a clear, achievable standard for everyday life, ADOI aims to improve public safety, enhance canine welfare, and support owners in raising dogs that are socially compatible, well-managed, and confidently guided through the challenges of daily living.

Register Interest

The UK is home to around 10 to 13 millions dogs. (Population estimates (PDSA and UK Pet Food data). 

Around 47,000 dog owners are contacting welfare to give up their dog. (RSPCA abandonment trends.)

In 2023 there were 31, 920 police-recorded injury offences. (Police recorded dog injury offences in England and Wales.)

There were an estimated 7000-9000 NHS annual hospital admission in the UK. (NHS and hospital admission statistics (Royal College of Surgeons).  

Around 5% of owner reported dog-to-dog bites resulted in the dog needing vet care

In 2023 there were 16 fatal dog attacks in England and Wales. Hospital admission trends (University of Liverpool data).  

Around 37,000 stray dogs are handled by local authorities a year. (Dogs Trust annual and stray dog survey reports.) 

Objective 

Reduce dog-related incidents through improved owner understanding, realistic expectations, and accountable management.

The bones of the scheme

The initiative is made up of three compulsory compulsory components that must all be passed. Each part is designed to prove that:

  • the handler has sufficient theoretical knowledge to own a dog responsibly

  • the dog-handler team can function safely and calmly in everyday life

  • the dog demonstrates stable temperament and social compatibility

Overall Structure

The initiative consists of three compulsory assessments:

  1. Theory Test (Multiple choice). The aim is to ensure the handler understands canine behaviour, learning, welfare, safety and legal responsibilities.

  2. Practical Obedience & Handling Test. The aim is to assess real-world obedience, control and handler competence in everyday situations.

  3. Temperament & Behaviour Assessment. The aim is to evaluate the dog’s emotional stability, recovery ability, social safety and handler coping skills.