Group Dog Training Classes In Public Parks

[barry1010]

Does anyone know if there are any laws, rules, regulations about professional dog trainers charging people for dog training classes in public parks?

My neighbour has taken her older Labrador for her usual walk today and was told by a dog trainer to keep well away from the area he was training around 20 dogs in. This is a problem because this park restricts dogs off lead to a relatively small area where the dog training was taking place.

She asked the trainer if he was employed by the council (the same park has regular free exercise classes for people, not dogs, provided by the council) and he said he wasn't.

I will phone the council tomorrow but wondered if anyone has any information about this sort of thing

[Buenchico]

You'd need to consult the local council's byelaws. However most (and possibly all) include something like this within them:
"No person shall without the consent of the Council provide or offer to provide any service for which a charge is made"
[That's a quote from Ipswich Borough Council's 'Byelaws for pleasure grounds, public walks and open spaces']

[barry1010]

Thanks, Buen. I'll phone tomorrow and see what the council says. It doesn't sit comfortably with me

[naomi24]

Someone without the authority restricting access to an area of a public park can’t be right. He must have helpers there too. Transporting and keeping 20 dogs under control is no mean feat. I would definitely phone the council.

[Canary42]

I'd have told him to do one. Arrogant git.

[douglas9401]

I doubt they'll have the resources to transport that many either.

[naomi24]

Would need several vehicles.

[237SJ]

Are the owners with the dogs or is it just one guy on his own? A lot of parks have rules about how many dogs one person can take there.

[Hazlinny]

This might be of interest Barry.

https://www.petforums.co.uk/threads/dog-training-in-local-parks-with-no-license.160455/page-2

[Canary42]

I suppose it's no different from Driving Instructors using public or supermarket car parks (which does happen).

[naomi24]

They’re not stopping others from using the area.

[barry1010]

The owners were with the dogs.

[Buenchico]

>>> "I suppose it's no different from Driving Instructors using public or supermarket car parks"

If a driving instructor uses a supermarket car park to instruct learners, without the consent of the supermarket management, it's purely a civil matter. However someone using a public park for an activity which is prohibited under local byelaws is committing a criminal offence.

[wolf63]

If the guy is running this as a business then he has to have insurance etc.