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Written by Paul
Dr Paul Manktelow is a vet who’s worked for almost 20 years on the front line in some of the UK’s busiest veterinary hospitals. As Chief Vet in the Charity Sector, he leads a team of vets and nurses that treat thousands of pets every year. Paul also appears regularly in the media as a TV and radio presenter, writer, public speaker and podcast producer.
When a dog incident happens, owners often say “I never thought it would happen to me.” Yet in the UK, thousands of people are referred each year to the Responsible Dog Ownership Course (RDOC) after their dog is deemed “out of control” under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
This three-hour course, run by Blue Cross in partnership with over 20 police forces and local authorities, is turning potentially life-changing legal situations into opportunities for safer, more responsible ownership.
Why the Course Exists
Dog ownership in the UK has grown rapidly, with over 11 million dogs now living alongside us. At the same time, dog-related incidents have risen sharply. NHS figures show an 88% increase in hospital attendances for dog injuries over the last 15 years, and research suggests one in four people will be bitten in their lifetime.
While many assume these are all severe attacks by aggressive breeds, the truth is often more ordinary. Cases range from dogs chasing livestock to low-level bites during play. In many situations, the owners involved never thought they would be in legal trouble.
Who Gets Referred?
RDOC isn’t open to the public. Referrals come through the police or local authorities, and reasons include:
- Dog bites or scratches to people or postal workers
- Dogs frightening someone, even without contact
- Dog-on-dog incidents
- Chasing or attacking livestock
Owners can be referred voluntarily, as part of a community resolution, or as a condition of a caution. In serious cases, failure to attend can lead to court action and, in extreme situations, a destruction order for the dog.
What the Course Covers
RDOC aims to equip owners with the tools and knowledge to prevent future incidents. Topics include:
- Understanding the law and your responsibilities under the Dangerous Dogs Act
- Dog body language and communication signals
- Safety around dogs in public and at home
- Recall, lead use, and control in different environments
- Positive muzzle training for dogs with control orders
- How to safeguard your dog’s welfare to prevent reactive behaviour
The focus is practical and non-judgemental. Owners are encouraged to ask questions, share experiences, and leave with actionable steps to keep their dogs and the public safe.
What Makes RDOC Different
Unlike many online-only programmes, RDOC is delivered in real time with trainers who can respond to questions and adapt content to individual cases. Participants are often surprised at how relevant and useful the information is, even if they arrived feeling resentful about attending.
Blue Cross also follows up with attendees to see if they’ve made changes after the course. Many report improved recall, better control on walks, and greater confidence in managing interactions with people and other dogs.
Success Stories
- An anxious owner who stopped walking their dog after a bite incident regained the confidence to walk again by using new lead control techniques.
- A family learned how to positively introduce a muzzle, transforming walks for a nervous dog with a control order.
- Several participants avoided further legal issues by making small but important changes, such as using shorter leads in public spaces and avoiding high-risk encounters.
The Bigger Picture
Gemma Taylor, Blue Cross Education Officer, hopes RDOC will eventually be offered nationwide and even as a preventive resource for new dog owners. The vision is simple: give people the knowledge early, before mistakes happen, to create safer communities for both people and pets.
Listen to the Full Conversation
For real cases, training insights, and expert advice from Gemma Taylor, listen to our full discussion on The Consult Room podcast:
🎧 Could Your Dog Land You in Court? Why Responsible Dog Ownership Matters
🎥 Watch it below ⬇️
A moment of inattention or misunderstanding can change everything for a dog and their owner. RDOC is proof that with the right education, most incidents can be prevented, and that prevention starts with owners knowing both the law and their dog.
