SINGAPORE - For the first time in Singapore, dog training as an industry sector gets its own Code of Animal Welfare (COAW) to ensure more humane ways of getting dogs to listen and obey.

And one significant change to the code for pet groomers is that they must be physically present with the animals during grooming sessions.

This comes after several high profile incidents of dogs dying at grooming centres when they were left unattended.

The National Parks Board’s Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) said these moves will ensure that animal welfare standards remain aligned with changing global practices and relevant to Singapore’s context.

The new code for dog trainers adopts the least intrusive, minimally aversive (LIMA) approach, which promotes the use of humane, evidence-based training methods and positive reinforcement for behaviour modification.

Apart from not using electric collars to zap the pet’s bad behaviour, LIMA promotes rewards for good behaviours over harsh punishment for bad ones.

On Oct 3, Minister of State for National Development and Foreign Affairs Alvin Tan launched the codes at World Animal Day, held at The Plaza at the National Library Building.

Until now, Singapore did not have a dedicated code setting out animal welfare and competency standards for dog trainers.

Tan said: “These efforts will further strengthen standards in the dog training sector and give dog owners greater confidence that their pets are cared for by trainers guided by clear standards of animal welfare and professional competency.”