A DOG handler from Nursling is to be recognised for his work at Crufts later this year.

Sean Knowlson has worked with canines for 35 years, as he’s honed his talent as a dog behaviourist since setting up The Hampshire Dog Club in 2010.    

The 54-year-old has been recognised by The Kennel Club of Great Britain as an accredited instructor, making him 'the only one in the Southampton area'.

“They've given it to me for my years of experience,” Sean told The Echo.

He added: “It’s the highest honour from the oldest dog organisation in the world.

“There are kennel clubs in most countries, but the Kennel Club of Great Britain is the oldest dog organisation in the world, so to get recognised by them is quite a nice achievement.”

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Sean’s latest achievement will see him presented with his accreditation certificate at Crufts in March, something that came as a shock to him.

He said: “It was a surprise, I thought you just passed, and they sent you a certificate.

“They’ve given me complimentary tickets, so I’ll be spending the day up there!

“There's a formal presentation, I guess there's other presentations going on that same time, I doubt it will just be me!

“It all adds to credibility.”

It’s that credibility that Sean, who works alongside his son Connor, values most of all.

He said: “The trouble with this industry is that there's no legislation that determines whether you can be a dog trainer or even a dog behaviourist.

“There are people that just do an animal psychology course at college and call themselves a dog behaviourist, when they've got no hands-on practical knowledge.

“I constantly get referrals from people that have been elsewhere for different reasons, and it's not good. It can be quite dangerous.

“It can be detrimental to the dog.

“I think it's important from a public point of view to show you’re credible and you've got experience.”

“There's a lot of part time dog trainers out there, and some really shouldn't be teaching.

“Unfortunately, it's the same in every profession.”

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