The UK's First & Only Association of Responsible Dog Owners
We represent, educate, guide and speak for passionate, responsible dog owners and dog lovers. We are real dog people with an unwavering ethical commitment to protecting and enhancing the welfare of dogs — OUR dogs.
A Voice for Responsible Dog Owners
ARDO was founded in 2018 by Jamie Penrith — a professional dog trainer and former police dog handler with over 25 years of hands-on experience. After years of watching decisions about dog ownership being made without any input from actual dog owners, Jamie decided enough was enough.
“Frustrated at what he considered to be an entirely ‘them and us’ undemocratic process, Jamie founded ARDO — the UK's first and only Association of Responsible Dog Owners — to provide a voice of experience for normal, everyday responsible dog owners.”
ARDO has no political, financial, or ideological agenda. We are not a registered charity and do not operate for profit. We are simply real dog people who believe that responsible owners deserve a seat at the table when policies affecting our dogs are being discussed.
Featured in: BBC Breakfast • This Morning • Channel 5 • BBC Radio Scotland • The Times • The Independent
Making a Real Difference
Over the past 7 years, ARDO has represented responsible dog owners at multiple national and international political and legal meetings.
Political Representation
Submitted detailed reports and advisory presentations at national and international governmental meetings. Represented supporters across the UK in national press and primetime television including BBC Breakfast, This Morning, and Channel 5.
Largest Owner-User Survey
Conducted the UK's largest independent 5-year survey on electronic training aid use, gathering over 2,500 real-world responses. 99% reported no negative welfare effects, and 92% said the aid resolved their dog's problem behaviour.
Legislative Victory
Our 2023 campaign in England reached hundreds of MPs with evidence-based positions. The English government abandoned its proposed blanket ban on handheld electronic training collars. We've also submitted to Scottish, Irish, and New York State governments.
Political Representation
Submitted detailed reports and advisory presentations at national and international governmental meetings. Represented supporters across the UK in national press and primetime television including BBC Breakfast, This Morning, and Channel 5.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about ARDO, what we stand for, and how you can get involved.
Several thousand dog owners currently believe so! ARDO is for you if you believe that responsible dog ownership is a duty, that owners must have proper control of their dogs, and that dogs deserve fair and consistent boundaries — both physical and behavioural.
It's for you if you believe your dog deserves the freedom to safely express normal behaviour, that you do what it takes to keep them free from unnecessary pain, injury and disease, and that your dog is your responsibility — not something to be dictated by people who have never met you or your dog.
If you accept that not every dog owner has the same requirements or experiences, that every dog is an individual with individual needs, and you want your experiences represented without bias in political discussions that directly affect you and your dog — then ARDO is definitely for you.
From the ARDO Blog
Updates, open letters, and news for our supporters and the wider dog-owning community.
Become an ARDO Supporter
Join the UK's first and only Association of Responsible Dog Owners. It's completely free, and we'll only contact you when it matters.
We pledge not to bombard you with spam or contact you for any reason other than letting you know of dog-related political or legal issues that we feel you should know about. We will never pester or pressure you, and we are GDPR compliant.
Fill In Your Details
Provide your name, email address, and postcode so we can identify your local MP.
We Do the Rest
We’ll match you to your MP and prepare relevant letter templates when needed.
You’re In
That’s it — you’re an ARDO supporter. We’ll only contact you when it truly matters.