XL Bully ban

With the XL Bully ban, there has been a lot of emotions and fear surrounding this, however working together, sharing knowledge as and when we can, we can move forwards together through this.

Cooper and Co solicitors held a zoom panel to discuss this and what is known as fact so far for the first 20 minutes of the Zoom, discussing Section 1 as it was and the new proposed ban as it has been outlined so far and what you can do as a guardian. There is a remaining 45 minutes of very good questions and answers based on opinion that you will find helpful to listen to.                                                                          https://youtu.be/h33PjMk-UXA?si=f292iZzCB76aPZVd

​Here is the link for third party insurance from Dogs Trust, to ensure that even if your insurance provider will not insure your dog, you still have third party insurance. With support available and the option to have a certificate of the insurance once the ban comes into effect. https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/support-us/membership
Beginning desensitisation to muzzles now will greatly help you when the ban does come into effect. I have included a link here to my blog which contains free YouTube tutorials to learn this, muzzle companies and a discount code for the charity Yellow Dog UK should you need any of their apparel. https://www.facebook.com/100057373879884/posts/844335340822254/?sfnsn=mo
Investing in a good quality Y front harness and a good strong lead (not an extension lead) will also help you. I personally use Truelove Harnesses, they are high quality and ensure that your dogs gait is not impacted.

I have an instructional YouTube video here of conditioning to a harness. It will take time and a lot of repetitions and a lot of treats to fully condition the harness but this is completely normal, conditioning dogs takes time to ensure that they are fully comfortable with the process.

It can take time to adjust to the harness comfortably especially if you are switching from a Julius K9 for example and desensitise to it, so if the dog is stiff or has their body tense it can be really hard to fit the harness correctly which is why desensitising is so important for a loose and happy body.  yout ​u.be/D3c5HeSrmK8

Here is a link to the Truelove Harnesses which are only available to purchase from Amazon https://amzn.to/3PFYeCY

​Good strong leads I have experience with are the double clip leads https://amzn.to/3tkovPG and also strong long leads, I personally use these as they last year's! https://amzn.to/46t5t8b

Speak to your insurance providers and ask them how they will communicate with you with the roll out of the ban and the amnesty period.
Speak to your vet about spay and neutering and if you have a puppy if they have knowledge on how puppies will be affected by neutering and spaying at the appropriate age.
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Attend training classes remotely or in person, keep a log of your training.
Adhere to the new legislation and if you are in doubt please reach out to dog professionals, vets and insurance providers for support and clarification where needed.

Cooper and Co solicitors have said that they will be doing a new zoom after the ban is finalised and a date set and the link above will be replaced so as to be in keeping with up to date information.

The dog training industry is here to support you and you don't have to go through this alone.

Image description:
A four window comic strip, the background is grey.
The title in green reads: proposed XL Bully ban tips.
Each window has a brick wall backdrop in pop art style with the colours, pink, blue and green bricks.
The first window has a pop art style mouth, shouting at the top right corner in black and white. The speech bubble says: "What do we do?"
A mouth in the same style on the bottom left says "pull together."
A soft grey bully is in the second window with tan eyebrows and a brownish muzzle with pink, tongue lolling. The dogs speech bubble says: "it is up to the humans to protect us and keep us safe."
The third window on the bottom left has the same bully with the speech bubble: "Things you can do to help me are;
Listen to the Cooper & Co Law solicitors YouTube for up to date information and speculation of possible outcomes
Muzzle train me
Have me trained
Follow the new rules
Keep me safe and secure
Use a well made Y front harness
Use a good quality strong lead - no extension leads. "
The final window on the bottom right has the bully with a speech bubble. The text reads:" Speak to your insurance providers
Get third party cover from Dogs Trust
Have me neutered or spayed at the appropriate age. Speak to your vet for guidance in line with the new legislation."