McKenzie Dog Training

10/06/2026

Important Updates to XL Bully & Section 1 Dog Exemption Rules in England and Wales

Defra has updated its guidance regarding exempted dogs under Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, including XL Bully dogs and Pit Bull Terriers.

The key changes are:

🔹 Third-Party Liability Insurance No Longer Required
From 1 July 2026, owners of exempted Section 1 dogs will no longer be required to maintain third-party public liability insurance as a condition of their Certificate of Exemption.

🔹 New Child Supervision Requirement
From 1 November 2026, it will become a legal requirement that a child under the age of 12 is not left in close contact with an exempted Section 1 dog in a private place (such as a home or garden) without adult supervision.

This new requirement will form part of the conditions attached to a dog's Certificate of Exemption.

What Remains Unclear
Despite these changes, cooper & co: doglaw states there is still no published process for removing a dog from the Index of Exempted Dogs. Defra's guidance continues to state that further information on this issue will be provided "soon".

Read the updated Defra guidance here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ban-on-xl-bully-dogs

10/06/2026

⭐️CASE STUDY⭐️
Wendy, Stewart & Mollie

Wendy & Stewart got in touch with me early February this year as their beautiful 8 month old chocolate brown Labrador Mollie was jumping up at them, biting the lead, pulling on the lead and just generally not listening to either of them!

The stress poor Wendy was under just coming into the kitchen in a morning with Mollie jumping up was awful! We had to immediately lay down a strict boundaries shaping plan & teach her right from wrong.

Stewart was a fantastic student getting to grips with the loose lead walking - I posted a video of him and Mollie totally smashing it!

Wendy loved spending time with Mollie taking her out and she socialized her really well. They love going into cafes and meeting friends. Getting up on a morning is now a pleasure, Mollie clearly knows right from wrong and how to live in this human world of ours safely.

This couple have worked really hard and I’ve had great fun teaching them all. The love they have for their dog is amazing I’ve really enjoyed watching their journey.

Learn how to enjoy your time with your best friend if you need help let me show you my name is Kathryn I’m an all in one fully insured certified dog trainer, from puppies to adolescence to veteran. I do not use any techniques or equipment that will harm your dog

Call or message Kathryn - McKenzie Dog Training 07943587649

09/06/2026

Leanne & 15 week old Tallulah smashing recall ❤️

Love how Leanne keeps me updated with loads of videos

08/06/2026

04/06/2026

Leanne & 8 month old German Shepherd Tank totally smashing recall ❤️

03/06/2026

⭐️CASE STUDY⭐️
⭐️JOE, SUE & BELLA⭐️

Joe & Sue got in touch with me early February this year as their lovely Lakeland Terrier Bella was really reactive when out and about! She couldn’t deal with dogs, humans & kids on bikes, she went totally berserk and had bitten on three separate occasions! She also had a really bad barking problem in the house.

Joe and Sue really loved this little dog, they wanted to take her on walks that weren’t stressful and to invite people round to their home without their dog constantly barking at them.

This couple have worked really hard and I’ve had great fun teaching them. Bella has a great personality and is full of fun, so she’s had us in fits of giggles.

At my last visit with Joe & Sue, they told me they knew they had succeeded when they stopped to chat to someone with a dog and Bella just laid down. I’m over the moon to hear this but I’m going to miss them all. Joe, Sue & Bella have all the knowledge they need to live a happy life together 😍

Learn how to enjoy your time with your best friend if you need help let me show you my name is Kathryn I’m an all in one fully insured certified dog trainer, from puppies to adolescence to veteran. I do not use any techniques or equipment that will harm your dog

Call or message Kathryn - McKenzie Dog Training 07943587649

29/05/2026

Had to share this 8 month old Malinois X smashing it!