RSPCA concern about visit to Birmingham for American trainer The Dog Daddy

A controversial US dog trainer who has nearly four million YouTube subscribers has raised concerns with the RSPCA over plans to visit Birmingham.

The RSPCA says Augusto Deoliveira, known as The Dog Daddy, uses aversive training techniques and equipment designed to cause pain and fear in dogs.

The BBC approached Mr Deoliveira for comment on the animal charity’s concerns.

His website says he is holding workshops in Birmingham on Sunday 4th August and Monday 5th August.

He then says he will be in Saffron Walden in Essex on Tuesday 6th August and Wednesday 7th August.

However, the locations were not made public, and at previous events they were not confirmed until a few hours before the show.

Last year, the trainer from the USA was supposed to hold a workshop in London, but it was canceled the day before.

Dr Samantha Gaines, RSPCA dog welfare expert, said: “The RSPCA is concerned about Dog Daddy’s training techniques and we are urging people to take a stand against this.

“We, like many organisations, have significant concerns about the use of aversive training techniques and equipment, such as pipe collars, which are designed to cause pain and fear.

“These can compromise well-being and are completely unnecessary.

“We promote and recommend reward-based training techniques that dogs like or enjoy and have been shown to be very effective in achieving long-term behavior change without compromising the dogs’ welfare.”

Dr Gaines said the animal charity had previously written to Mr Deoliveira to raise its concerns with him, as well as to inform him of the legislation in England and Wales he must comply with when training dogs .

The “secretive nature” of the events has led the charity to urge anyone with information to pass it on to them via social media – but not the charity’s hotline.

Dr Gaines added: “We are keen to discuss our concerns with the venues hosting this trainer, although these have not yet been advertised. Anyone with information can share it with us through our social media platforms.”