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It's an image Louise Ginman can't shake — a British bulldog tied to a park fence, panting in the scorching summer sun. It was during the pandemic when the professional dog trainer had taken her own dogs to the park and came across what appeared to be an abandoned animal. In reality, a dog walker had left the bulldog — prone to overheating due to their short snouts — in direct sunlight while returning to their vehicle to collect the rest of the dogs. NSW is home to a growing pet population, with more than 4.6 million dogs and cats now living across the state, according to government figures. Australians are also spending big on pets — with services like grooming, training, boarding and day care now worth over $2.2 billion annually, up 30 per cent since 2021, according to an industry survey. Despite this, there are currently no minimum legal standards or qualifications required to operate as a dog trainer, walker, or daycare provider in NSW. Ms Ginman, who was previously the president of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers Australia, is among many in the industry calling for urgent reform. "You wouldn't leave your child in a childcare centre without knowing exactly who's going to look after them, what qualifications they have," she said. "The exact same would go for dogs." Owners willing to pay big At a doggy daycare facility just outside of Sydney, kennel manager Georgia Gair said business was booming. The facility she manages spans 25 acres and promotes itself as five-star accommodation, offering luxury suites, a swimming pool, TVs and human-sized beds. Prices start at $80 per night and jump to $110 during the Christmas period. Despite the premium accommodation, there's no legal requirement for staff to hold qualifications, but Ms Gair said staff were highly valued. "It's important … that you're aware of dog behaviours, dog body language, so you can introduce dogs in a safe and secure manner," she said. RSPCA NSW chief veterinarian Liz Arnott said while many dog professionals do the right thing, the lack of regulation meant there's nothing stopping others from using harmful methods. She said some trainers still rely on force-based or fear-based techniques which can lead to anxiety, aggression and long-term behavioural problems. "Interpreting animal behaviour and knowing how and when to respond is really high skilled," Dr Arnott said. Calls for national register The RSPCA is pushing for updates to the state Companion Animals Act, which is under review until the end of next year. It's calling for mandatory qualifications for anyone offering professional dog care services, along with stricter licensing requirements and clearer standards of practice. While NSW does have a code of practice for dog boarding centres, Dr Arnott said it's outdated and inadequate. "It was first published in [1979] and it doesn't require any minimum qualifications for staff," she said. "This is really problematic because there's no standard set for which people can be assured that pets are being looked after humanely." Without clear legal rules, dog owners can't judge how safe or reliable a dog care provider is, she says. Ms Ginman supports creating a national register of certified trainers, walkers and daycare operators, so that pet owners can check credentials before booking. She urged owners to ask direct questions before leaving a dog in someone else's care. "How are incompatible dogs separated? What experience does the staff have? Can you see the facility behind the scenes?" she said.
