By PAUL REVOIR

'Teasing': Jordan Shelley's controversial techniques, like those with the Downey Family, have sparked outrage

The One Show has become embroiled in an animal cruelty row after viewers complained a dog trainer on the programme was ‘teasing’ and ‘bullying’ a Jack Russell.

Jordan Shelley, the BBC programme’s new ‘dog man’, was introduced to viewers last week as part of a new section on the show which sees him help correct pets’ behaviour.

But his tactics have immediately sparked outrage, with the BBC understood to have received more than 400 complaints following his appearance on Friday’s episode.


'Battle of wills': Experts have criticised Jordan Shelley's techniques especially those with Roxy (pictured) which included sticking his foot the dog's mouth

Viewers reacted with anger to Mr Shelley’s ‘dominance techniques’, used when he was brought into a family home to control an unruly Jack Russell called Roxy.

Among those who have written to the BBC to complain is canine welfare charity Dogs Trust.

Lynn Barber, head of canine behaviour and training at the trust, said she was ‘very disheartened’. She said: ‘The technique might have been acceptable 30 years ago but nowadays it would be considered seriously detrimental to the dog’s welfare.’


Hosts: Alex Jones and Jason Manford host the BBC show which is popular with viewers

And viewers have taken to online message boards to express their anger. One wrote: ‘Terrify, bully and stress a dog to make it comply, what does that “teach” a dog?’

Another said: ‘He didn’t actually train anything, did he?

The BBC defended the trainer, saying Roxy’s owners were happy with the outcome and that he would display other techniques in future programmes.


source: dailymail