Found this on Netflix after an eternity of looking for something to sprawl out on the sofa and watch with the dogs. What a brilliant documentary too really interesting and well put together.
As a lifelong lover and owner / trainer of dog and horses I've always had an interest in the origins of the circus even if the animals and the training techniques used are devastatingly sad to realise now. It touched sensitively on the problems with trainers that either wouldn't or couldn't grasp the need for anything other than use of force and harsh, heavy handed techniques but it didn't preach or unfairly pass judgement on what was an acceptable if not encouraged at the time.
After it finished I got up to make a cup of tea and the second started to play and made me "Ooooh yay there's a second bit!" and get comfy back on sofa with the dogs.
It's an interesting, well researched and respectful insight into the origins of the circus and well done.