By Jo Maisey
The first thing you must realise is that the dog training industry is unregulated in the UK, the USA, and more than likely in most countries. Anyone can call themselves a dog trainer/behaviourist. Anyone can set up ‘Joe Bloggs’ Most Excellent Dog Training Academy’, charge a fortune and then issue a ‘certificate’ at the end of it.
Look for organisations that promote up to date, science-based methods. Any courses that advocate ‘pack leader’, ‘dominance’, ‘rank reduction’ or ‘balanced’ should be avoided. These are the organisations I know will promote modern, up-to-date methods.
Pet Professional Guild
There are several Programs
Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT)
Course Overview
The Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC)
List of recognised courses, with links
The Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (IMDT)
Information on courses available to become a dog trainer
Sarah Whitehead’s Online education programmes, freebies and mini-courses
Professional Association of Canine Trainers (PACT)
Several courses available
The Centre of Applied Pet Ethology (COAPE)
Courses
Jean Donaldson’s Academy for Dog Trainers
AniEd (Ireland)
Compass Education and Training (Distance Learning)
