An Ipswich dog training school has been addressing the issue with the ban on the XL Bully dog breed and has offered free training for them and their owners. 

Leanne Milburn-Turner opened The Ipswich Dog Trainer in June 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic, to help owners better understand their four-legged friends and resolve any behavioural problems. 

After the government's announcement to ban XL Bullies, the largest dog of the American Bully breed, following a number of deaths, The Ipswich Dog Trainer team organised a number of events for their owners. 

Ipswich Star: Leanne Milburn-Turner, the founder of The Ipswich Dog Trainer, The Ipswich Dog TrainerLeanne Milburn-Turner, the founder of The Ipswich Dog Trainer, The Ipswich Dog Trainer (Image: The Ipswich Dog Trainer)

The school will host free muzzle training and handling for all XL Bully and XL Bully crossbreed owners. 

Mrs Milburn-Turner said: “If the ban goes ahead, it is highly likely XL bullies will have to wear a muzzle in public.  

“As force-free trainers, we believe it is important to condition your dog to any new piece of equipment. 

“Helping your dog be comfortable with being handled is also important, so this will be covered in these sessions too.” 

READ MORE: American Bully XL dog breed will be banned by end of 2023

READ MORE: What happens to American XL Bullies now? What the ban means

Ipswich Star: David runs puppy classes, one-to-one puppy courses, pre-class home visits, one-to-one obediance training and more, The Ipswich Dog TrainerDavid runs puppy classes, one-to-one puppy courses, pre-class home visits, one-to-one obediance training and more, The Ipswich Dog Trainer (Image: The Ipswich Dog Trainer)

Free advice sessions and socialisation walks at a discounted price will also be happening this September and October.  

Mrs Milburn-Turner added that genetics can play a slight part in the behaviour of the XL Bully, but it is up to their owners how they socialise and train their dogs. 

She added: “It's all to do with people being able to read their dogs. 

“Owners push dogs to the limit and don't listen when dogs are telling them that they need space. We need to have a lot more respect for our dogs and understand them better.” 

The founder of The Ipswich Dog Trainer said she has recently experienced very judgmental behaviour towards XL Bully dog owners after advertising free training for the breed. 

Ipswich Star: Zee runs puppy classes, one-to-one puppy courses, pre-class home visits, beyond basics training, rapid recallers workshops, emergency stop workshops and more, The Ipswich Dog TrainerZee runs puppy classes, one-to-one puppy courses, pre-class home visits, beyond basics training, rapid recallers workshops, emergency stop workshops and more, The Ipswich Dog Trainer (Image: The Ipswich Dog Trainer)

She said: “I went through some of the bookings for the free muzzle training, and people had actually made fake bookings. 

“Some people really want to train their dogs and be responsible owners, but they weren’t able to book spaces.” 

The school uses four venues in the Ipswich and Woodbridge areas, as well as offers training for dogs in public and private homes.     

Ipswich Star: Ipswich school hosts free training for XL bully dogs to help owners understand them, The Ipswich Dog TrainerIpswich school hosts free training for XL bully dogs to help owners understand them, The Ipswich Dog Trainer (Image: The Ipswich Dog Trainer)