Where we stand
What we require when it comes to the dog
We take no position on training method. We take a position on the dog not coming to harm. This page says what that means in practice: what the law requires of every trainer, what we have written into the agreement, what we do not do — and what you can do if you have seen something that is not right.
What the law requires
The Swedish Animal Welfare Act, djurskyddslagen (2018:1192), applies to everyone working with dogs in Sweden, whatever we or anyone else may think. Two provisions carry the principle: • "Animals are to be treated well and protected against unnecessary suffering and disease." (Chapter 2, Section 1) • "Animals may not be beaten, injured or overworked." (Chapter 2, Section 9) This is not something we invented, and not something we can waive. It applies to every trainer already, regardless of what we agree between us.
What we require
The same thing, but as a term of the agreement. Where a trainer subjects a dog to violence, pain or fear in their business on Fidova, that is grounds for us to restrict their publishing, suspend the account or terminate it. The same applies if the trainer becomes subject to a decision under the Animal Welfare Act that prevents them from working with dogs. It is in the section "How the dog is to be treated" in the Terms for trainers and organisations, together with how such a decision is made and how it can be reconsidered. Subjecting an animal to violence, pain or unnecessary suffering is also in the acceptable use list in the User Terms.
What we do not do
We set no requirements about method. We prescribe no school, ban no technique and list no equipment. We are not experts in dog training, and we are not going to pretend to be. We check that a trainer is a real person or business before they may publish courses. We do not assess their competence, methods or safety, and approval is not a recommendation from us. So there is no mark, no badge and no filter on Fidova saying one trainer would be better for your dog than another. The requirement above applies to everyone, so it distinguishes nobody from anybody. Which trainer suits you and your dog is your choice.
If you have seen something
If you have seen a dog come to harm in connection with a service arranged here, you can report it to us. A person — not an automated system — reviews the report, and you are told what we decided and why. If it concerns something happening now, or something you believe is criminal, contact the police or the county administrative board first. We can suspend an account. We cannot intervene on the spot.