Who can call themselves a Dog Trainer?

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• The answer is simple.  Anyone.  The field is completely unregulated with no licensure, educational or legal requirements.  There are efforts to improve this, such as The Alliance for Professionalism in Dog Training.  This would be a huge step in the right direction, but until then, it is crucial that you carefully vet all trainers by ensuring they are ethical, educated and have the expertise and experience needed to address your specific goals.    

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What do all these letters mean?​

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• Many trainers claim they are 'certified', but by whom?   Look for certifications from independent, science-based organizations, including some of the most widely recognized ones below.    ​​

• Council for Certified Professional Dog Training  offers dog training and behavior consultant certifications, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA

• International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants  offers dog behavior certifications, CDBC. 

• Animal Behavior Society offers doctoral level certifications, CAAB

• American College of Veterinary Behaviorists   is the certifying board for behavior veterinarians, DACVB  ​

 

• Certifications should be evaluated along with general education,  continuing education and areas of expertise such as separation anxiety, families with dogs, aggression, nutrition, etc. 

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Language Matters​

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• Many trainers claim their methods work, but effectiveness is not enough.  Electric Shock collars and other aversive techniques may serve to suppress behavior - but at a great physical and emotional cost to the dog and your relationship.  Every technique needs to be ethical - first and foremost.  Fortunately, gentle, humane and positive techniques are the most effective, for both your dog and your relationship.​​

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• Look out for references to 'dominance' or being a 'pack leader'.  These are indicators that their approach is based  on discredited theories of dog behavior (see Deep Dive) - serving to justify harsh training methods such as jerking on the leash ('corrections'), using choke, electric, vibrating, citronella or pronged collars, or other aversive tactics - which are not only cruel, but leave dogs stressed, fearful, and at greater risk of aggressive behaviors.  ​

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• Beware of trainers that put too much emphasis on 'breeds', rather than behavior.   Although genetic predispositions play a role in evaluating the dog, the the principles of animal behavior apply to all animals - humans included.  Therefore, be weary of trainers who suggest that the principles of animal behavior, or methods, somehow do not apply to certain breeds, such as German Sheppards or Pit Bulls.

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• Trainers that use the word "balanced" may sound gentle, but this simply means that they rely on positive and negative techniques, as those mentioned above.  Pain and discomfort have no role in training.

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There are no Quick Fixes - Board and Train Programs​

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• ​Appealing as it may be to drop off your dog to be 'trained' for a few weeks - learning simply does not work that way.  Therefore, the emphasis on many train and board programs ('doggy bootcamps') often depend on suppressing behavior, relying heavily on  aversive techniques, such as using shock collars,  leash 'corrections', water sprays, and other aversive techniques.  These tactics often leave dogs 'shut down', depressed, fearful, and at greater risk of other behavioral issues.  In the end, your dog learns best with you in your own environment.​

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• ​Having said that, if you are already working with a humane, certified trainer and have very specific goals, board and train programs in these cases can be beneficial.