This website grew out of the combined expertise of dog specialists from across the Netherlands—from trainers and behavior therapists to groomers, veterinarians, and dog-walking services. Importantly, the people behind this campaign and website are the very audiences we aim to reach: think dog schools and instructors, behavior therapists, veterinarians and veterinary nurses, groomers and salons, breeders, shelters and rescues, walkers and daycares, municipalities and enforcement, insurers, educational institutions, and retailers. The shared goal is clear: to give (future) dog owners practical information about responsible ownership so welfare improves and bite incidents decrease.

 

What this site does—and does not do
We choose what unites us, not what divides us. This site is method-neutral: we do not argue about “the best” way to train. It’s not about exactly how you train or raise your dog; it’s about acting consciously, respectfully, and safely as an owner. Responsibility lies with us humans—not with the dogs. We make sure the right information reaches the right people and is applied in daily life.

 

How we work
We collect, organize, and share knowledge in clear themes and practical tools that anyone can use—and is free to share in their own, creative way. The content belongs to all of us; by pooling strengths, we increase the impact.

 

Join in
Do you have an addition, example, or material to share? Send it in. After review, we’ll gladly add it (with or without your name). The more complete this knowledge base becomes, the greater the impact.

 

Together we make the difference
When professionals and owners consistently share the same core message, understanding of dog behavior grows, moments of tension decrease, and bite incidents go down. This website is a growing platform—made by and for everyone who takes dogs seriously.

 

Operation I.D.E.A.
The Responsible Dog Ownership campaign is built from one clear inspiration: Operation I.D.E.A.—International Dog Education Awareness. In Dutch, this means an international awareness line around dog education and responsible ownership.

Operation I.D.E.A. is our working title and the foundation of this campaign. It gives direction, coherence, and a common thread to everything we do—from the materials we create to the themes we promote.

We deliberately chose “Responsible Dog Owners” as the campaign title because it is immediately clear to everyone. It states at a glance what we stand for and makes the message easy to understand and share.

 

Responsible Dog Ownership is an initiative of Maureen Kemeling of Kemeling Dogs & Training in Amersfoort. She is supported by a task force of canine professionals.