Alexandria & District Community Dog Training Service

Our main aims are to establish & encourage social responsibility and enhance the general welfare of our community, by promoting responsible dog ownership.

As a recognised Scottish Charity (SCO 25483) our main aims are to establish & encourage social and community education within our sphere of influence by creating a greater awareness of environmental issues, improving social responsibility and enhancing the general welfare of our community.

Founded in 1976 under the title of Alexandria & District Road Safety Dog Training Club the organisation arose from a request by the Road Safety Training Officer for Strathclyde Regional Council.

In 1981 through a contact in D. D. C. Planning Department the former D. H. S. S. building in Alexander Street, Alexandria, was identified. The building had been reduced to an unrentable derelict hulk, vandalised beyond description . Whilst it suggested a monumental task it was decided to go for it as our new location. At this stage the full realisation of the buildings potential fell into place, and its uniqueness in becoming Scotland’s and possibly the U. K. ’s first Community Dog Training Centre.

1985 saw the first direct education course designed at tackling the issue of responsible dog ownership. The introduction of the course highlighted that the main issues surrounding dogs was due more to a lack of awareness on the part of the owner rather than the dog itself. The training focused not on training the dog to be obedient, but with more emphasis on the owner to develop the skills required to be a responsible owner, resulting in the dogs being the benefactors of the work done with their owners.

Since then the service has gone from Strength to Strength.