Professional Affiliations
The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants offers certification in several "core areas of competency," including dog behavior, equine behavior, and
The Associate Certified Dog Behavior Consultant certification requires:
- A minimum of 300 hours' experience, 250 of which must be animal behavior consulting
- 150 hours minimum of coursework, seminars and mentorship related to the Core Areas of Competency and species of expertise.
- Minimum high school diploma.
- A working knowledge of learning theory, counter-conditioning, desensitization, training and husbandry (for dog people this is roughly equivalent to a CPDT), with additional in-depth knowledge of assessment skills and application of species specific knowledge.
Associate Certified Dog Behavior Consultants must show that they're continuing their education by earning CEUs for attending seminars, workshops, and similar education events in order to retain their ACDBC status.
Certified members of the IAABC agree to follow a strict code of ethics: https://iaabc.org/about/ethics
For more information about the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, please see their website at http://iaabc.org.
The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) is a professional organization of individual trainers who are committed to becoming better trainers through education.
Here's some of what the APDT does for its members:
- provide educational resources to build dog trainers’ skills and knowledge
- promote the use of reward-based training methods, thereby minimizing the use of aversive techniques
- educate trainers, allied animal professionals, the media, and the public about the value of training
- foster effective communication and cooperation among dog trainers
- provide members with resources that empower them to build successful businesses
- build alliances with companion animal professions.
APDT members agree to abide by the association's Code of Professional Conduct.
Ann Dupuis has been a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) since 2003, and a "Professional Member" (certified) since 2008.
