Ribbons aren’t Important. They are Essential.

I have been in a number of discussions on the net lately talking about different training methods and the importance or not both of certifying and/or competing with a dog to prove your worth as a trainer.  I seem to be a bit of an unusual person in where I stand.  I currently have two industry designations; the CPDT-KSA and the CDBC.  I worked really hard to learn the material necessary for my designations, and I continue to work hard to maintain my designations by learning new information in my field as it becomes available.  I am also getting ready to write my CBCC-KA because I feel that it is important to continue to grow and develop as a trainer and behaviour consultant.  I also compete when I can in obedience and rally with my German Shepherd Eco.  At least once a year, I enter him in a show and compete against other trainers.  I don’t always win, and I don’t have a lot of titles behind me, but I do prove my ability as a trainer by passing someone else’s test.  I also train service dogs for other people-meaning that I have to prove that I can train a dog to a minimum standard for someone else’s need.

A number of people have suggested that credentialing is worthless and should not be pursued because it only proves that you can write a test and prove you know what someone wants you to learn.  Perhaps.  Interestingly, none of the people who have suggested that credentialing is not worthwhile actually have passed a test showing what they know.  

Likewise, I have heard from another group of people who suggest that showing dogs and earning ribbons is without merit because it is really just a statement of who you have buttered up.  I also hear from a number of positive reinforcement trainers that they won’t compete against the trainers who use methods they don’t approve of.  Funny-but the people who don’t approve of showing their dogs and earning ribbons in any discipline are also the people who haven’t done it.

I will keep this short.  I probably didn’t score the highest on my CPDT exam.  And although I have taken a number of first place ribbons in the obedience ring, I have several firsts and seconds and thirds, a novice obedience title and multiple legs towards rally titles on my current sport dog Eco, I have never scored a 200.  I am getting ready to sit my CBCC this November, and concurrently, Eco and I are preparing to compete in Open and finish his Rally titles this winter.  So I have a challenge for everyone.  

Eco and I and our ribbons and trophies at the GSD National Specialty.  Yes, I know I look like a deer in the headlights!  We don't get fancy pictures like this when we pass a certification.  What a pity!

If you have passed the book tests, don’t tell me that the performance tests have no value unless you have actually titled a dog.  And if you have titled a dog, don’t tell me that the industry accreditations are worthless unless you have done those too.  Because if you think that there is no merit in understanding the theory behind the work we do, or proving the theory by showing the work, in my opinion, you are only living up to half of your potential.

Is My Trainer Certified? (or, the jungle of dog training certification)

The following post is courtesy of one of our staff at Dogs in the Park, Helen Prinold.  Thanks Helen, this is a gem!


There can be lots of letters after your prospective dog trainer’s name:

AAB CTB       CDT.CCS      CDBC              ABCDT        CPDT      CBCC     IAAB     IPDTA-CDT are just a few.  How do you know what they mean and what to look for in a professional?

You may want to look at the list below and what the “letters” mean when you’re trying to decide who to trust to work with you and your dog!

There are a few ways to follow a career path for dog trainers and people who work with dog behaviour.  For a quick overview check out this previous blog post and these posts from the Canadian Association of Professional Dog Trainers and the (U.S. based) Association of Pet Dog Trainers.

So what are the qualifications of folks who are advertising their expertise with “multiple letters”?

 

Historically, dog behaviour professionals and dog trainers tended to get qualified in one of two ways – they apprenticed with someone who did dog training and behaviour work or they learned dog training in the police force.  Formal degrees and certifications either did exist or weren’t widely advertised.

Currently, you have a mix of trainers who have those “multiple letters” after their names – people who learned from other trainers (worked in animal shelters or competed their dogs in sports), some who have degrees in animal behaviour from universities, others who have taken correspondence programs or short one or two day courses and some – by simply paying a membership fee.  

There is no required or mandatory certification or licence needed to be a professional dog trainer or dog behaviour specialist in Ontario. 

Because multiple certifications are allowed and there is no provincial dog trainer licensing system you must do you homework and “buyer beware”.   

No doubt professionals with the letters on their business cards are likely hoping that the certification will reassure you and imply they are qualified.  And certifications can show you’re dealing with someone who has studied and worked with dogs for many years and has been independently examined on their knowledge and skills.   Also, some of the letters after your potential trainer’s name may simply indicate they are a member of a industry trade association or group of like-minded friends. 

They also might indicate the professional is a vet (DVM) who may (or may not) have had training in dog behaviour.   Regardless of vet behaviour expertise, it’s really important to have your vet as part of your dog care team – to look at the whole of your dog (a holistic or “whole” view that looks at their physical and emotional health as both areas are related and influence each other).

This review of qualifications should help you be aware of the background of your trusted dog professional.

CERTIFICATIONS (North American)

Acronym	Full Name	Owner of Certification	Certification Requirements
CAAB or Associate CAAB	Certified Applied Animal Behaviourist	The Animal Behavior Society	Must have a Master's or Ph.D. degree in a behavioral science with specific courses in animal learning, and ethology (behavior) from a university. Earning a DVM or VMD, with advanced training in animal behaviour also allows certification.
DACVB	Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists	American College of Veterinary Behaviorists  (professional organization of veterinarians who have achieved board-certification in the specialty of Veterinary Behavior)	Veterinary degree and two additional years of coursework, but especially hands-on training with a board-certified veterinarian
CABC or CDBC	Certified Animal Behavior Consultant (covers all species including dog) Certified Dog Behaviour Consultant	International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants	A minimum of 3 years and 1500 hours in animal behavior consulting; 500 hours minimum of coursework, seminars and mentorship related to the core areas of competency; the ability to communicate clearly through written work and case studies, and demonstrable knowledge of all 6 Core Areas of Competency. Veterinary Behaviorists and ACAABs and CAABs are granted membership with the submission of three (3) applicable case studies
CPDT or CPDT-KA CBCC or CBCC-KA	Certified Professional Dog Trainer Certified Behavior Consultant Canine – Knowledge Assessed	Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers	5 years of training experience plus a passing score on a national well-respected exam administered by an independent testing agency (may add – Knowledge Assessed when completed practical work of over 300 hours and exam)
CCAB	Certified Clinical Behavior Consultant	Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour	Must be currently-active practitioners with extensive clinical experience who demonstrate that they possess appropriate skills, knowledge and abilities - including an Honours or higher degree in a relevant subject, appropriate specialist courses, and at least three years of regular clinical experience.
CDT, CDTA	Certified Dog Trainer (may add Advanced)	International Association of Canine Professionals	Written exam including case studies and client/colleague references, practical evaluation via video, being a CDT for one year, having 5 years experience for advanced certification.
CTC	Certificate in Training and Counselling	San Francisco SPCA Dog Training Academy	Six-week program on-site in San Francisco
ABCDT	Animal Behaviour College Certified Dog Trainer	Animal Behavior College  (private school)	Correspondence courses
CCS	Canine Communications Studies	Norma Jeanne dog training (private school)	Correspondence courses as of Mar, 2010 must pass IPDTA exam
Certificate or Diploma - CBST, CF, CN, DDC, DT, PDTST, SRW	Certificates in: - Canine Behavior Sciences and Technology - Canine Fitness - Canine Nutrition - Dog Daycare - Dog Training - Professional Dog Training Science and Technology - Shelter and Rescue Work	Companion Animal Sciences Institute	Correspondence courses
CDT-IPDTA	International Positive Dog Training Association – Certified Dog Trainer	International Positive Dog Training Association	A minimum of 100 hours training experience including at least 50% of the experience as a private dog trainer and/or classroom instructor. References from each of the following; an animal health care professional, a client and another dog trainer, agree to Code of Conduct
AKC CGC	American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Evaluator	American Kennel Club	Must be at least 18 years of age. Have at least 2 years of experience working with owners and their dogs Have experience working with a variety of breeds and sizes of dogs.  Application evaluated, online test, $50 for two-year certification.
NADOI  Endorsed/Provisional /E - Certified /C - Companion /N - Novice /O - Open /U - Utility /P - Puppy /T - Tracking /A - Agility /L - Lifetime Member /R - Retired Member	Endorsed member of NADOI	National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors	At least five years' experience in dog obedience training, two years as a full-charge instructor, worked with a minimum of 100 dogs, group instructors must have taught at least 104 class hours; private instructors 288 hours, written test which may be supplemented by personal interviews, observation, or a video (DVD or Online) which the applicant may be asked to provide, added certifications require, 52 weeks of instructing experience at the level of the sought-after certification
CAP1, 2, 3, 4	Clicker Trainer - Competency Assessed Program Levels 1 – 4	Kay Laurence – England	In person assessment by previously certified trainer (prices unpublished)
CTDI	Certified Trick Dog Instructor	Kyra Sundance – author and DVDs - Do More With Your Dog! (private school)	(prices not published)
KPA – CTP	Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner	Karen Pryor – US originator of clicker training) (private school) and her Karen Pryor Academy	Correspondence online and online certification exam, 10-day in person workshop, about $5000
VSPDT	Victoria Stillwell Positive Dog Trainer	Positively Dog Training – US  (Animal Planet’s “It’s Me or the Dog” TV host) (private school)	Be a practicing positive-methods, dominance-avoiding trainer with insurance and purchase a licence (price unpublished) after a one-hour interview, evaluation
BPCTE	Brad Pattison Certified Training Educators	Brad Pattison – Canada (BC) (TV host of “At the End of My Leash”) Hustle Up School of Dog Training treat and talking-free (private school)	3 days/week for 6 weeks, 30% theory, 70% outdoor practice, privately-administered exam, once a year conference attendance to recertify (prices unpublished)
PDT	Professional Dog Trainers Program	Ben Kerson – Canada (BC) (private school)	7 hours per day, 5 days per week for 12 weeks with evening classes for 4 weeks during the program which run for an additional 2 hours, work with 35 dogs minimum for practical experience (prices unpublished).
PMCT	Pat Miller Certified Trainer	Pat Miller’s Peaceable Paws (private school)	Several levels of intern/apprenticeship, e.g. Level 1 – 6 days in-house, about $1600
CF1 & CF2	Certified Freestyle Instructor	Canine Freestyle Federation (non-profit incorporated firm)	Details available by contacting CFF,
CNWI	Certified Nose Work Instructor	National Association of Canine Scent Work	Classroom coursework taught by one or more of the founders, application of key concepts in practice groups and classes, on-going training of a dog in K9 Nose Work through the advanced level, emphasis on positive experience
M.Sc. or Ph.D. –  Companion animals, lab animals, livestock and wildlife(MS)	UBC’s Department of Animal Science courses in animal behaviour and management	University of British Columbia	See University calendar for individual course tuitions and pre-requisites.
Link to list of American universities and colleges offering certified applies animal behaviour courses: http://www.certifiedanimalbehaviorist.com/school.html

Note: Canadian’s spell it “behaviour” and American English uses “behavior” for the same word

INDUSTRY TRADE ASSOCIATIONS

Member’s Acronym	Full Name
ABMA	Animal Behavior Management Alliance
ABS	The Animal Behavior Society
APDT	Association for Pet Dog Trainers
CAPPDT	Canadian Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers
CCPDT	Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers
IAABC	International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants
IACP	International Association of Canine Professionals
IPDTA	International Positive Dog Training Association
NADOI	National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors

Update February 16, 2013:  I received the following from Shelley Moore regarding the CCS and IPDTA:

IPDTA - Must also pass written exam with a minimum 90% score and successfully complete the practical requirements.

CCS - Business name is no longer Canine Communication Studies - It's been Canine Correspondence Studies since March of 2011.  Must also pass written exam with a minimum 90% score and successfully complete the practical requirements.  IPDTA exam is not required.  Owner's name is Norma Jeanne Laurette (not Norma Jeanne dog training)

If people notice inaccuracies, please understand that the article was carefully researched and accurate to our knowledge at the date of publication, and we are happy to post updates as we learn about changes to certification.  Any inaccuracies are unintentional, and we are more than happy to update as information becomes available and certifications change.