The Dogs Trust currently runs the project alongside youth offending teams in the London boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham, Westminster and Enfield.
The initiative, which has received backing from the Youth Justice Board for its “pioneering educational work”, involves young people working with a trainer from the trust and a dog that is yet to be re-homed.
The programme is designed to encourage responsible dog ownership and teaches aspects of citizenship education, such as respect, responsibility, empathy, following rules, taking care of others, understanding, self worth and timekeeping.
Concerns have previously been raised about the growing trend of young people using dogs as “weapons”, to intimidate and even attack others, and as a status symbol.
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