The ABC’s of Certification

Did you know that dog training is a completely unregulated industry?

It’s true–pretty much anyone can call themselves a dog trainer, no verification needed. 

But that doesn’t mean things aren’t changing. Organizations like the Certification Council of Professional Dog Training (CCPDT) and the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) have made the certification process part of their mission.

Certification provides an important starting point for any pet parent seeking outside help for their dog’s behavior. If your dog trainer holds a certification, they’re guaranteeing that they train their dogs according to a set ethical standard and are committed to using science-backed protocols. Should a dog trainer misrepresent their expertise, certification also ensures that you have recourse and can report them to the board.

In short: certification empowers you to assess for yourself your dog trainer’s methodology and make sure you’re doing what’s best for your pup.

However, the thornier your problem, the more complicated it seems to get. Depending on expertise and education level, behavior professionals separate themselves into three distinct categories.

What is a Certified Dog Trainer?

By definition, a certified dog trainer focuses on training basic to advanced behavior cues as well as doggy manners. They may also train dog sports, specific tasks, or more complicated cues.

When you’re first adding a new puppy or dog to your household, a dog trainer can help with:

• Proper socialization and handling techniques

• Obedience cues (sit, down, touch, etc.)

• Crate training

• Quality of life issues: barking, nipping during play, counter-surfing, pulling

• Trick training

• Agility training

• Family training and baby preparation

According to some statistics, the US boasts almost 7,000 dog trainers. While this number sounds small, it’s still enough to make the prospect of sorting through them a daunting task. To meet the demand for dog training experts, all sorts of certifying bodies have sprung up over the years. 

The first category is certifications issued by third-party certifying bodies:

• CPDT-KA or CPDT-KSA (Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers)

• IAABC-ADT (International Applied Animal Behavior Council)

The CCPDT and the IAABC play an important role in establishing credentials. Both are third-party organizations–meaning that neither offer paid training education programs for their applicants. A certified dog trainer with these credentials is stating that their skills have been evaluated by other experts in the field and graded according to an objective rubric.

The second category of certifications are ones issued by first-party bodies:

• KPA-CTP (Karen Pryor Academy)

• CTC (The Academy for Dog Trainers)

• Fear Free Certified (Fear Free)

• VSA-CDT (Victoria Stilwell Academy)

Dozens of first-party certifications exist. These establish that your trainer has a baseline education in the field. In order to receive one of these certifications, the applicant has to complete an educational course offered by the certifying body, which makes them less objective.

Many trainers receive certification through multiple organizations, including a mix of both third- and first-party bodies. Do your due diligence and make sure that the organization is reputable, uses humane methods, and requires their trainers to be proficient in behavior modification techniques backed by science.

What is a Certified Behavior Consultant?

A certified behavior consultant gets to the root cause of a behavior problem. For example, if your dog lunges at other dogs on the leash, a behavior consultant will be more concerned with addressing the underlying emotion driving their actions. By understanding what’s driving their behavior–frustration, anxiety, or something else entirely–a behavior consultant can help you develop a training plan.

The main difference between a behavior consultant and a dog trainer is the background. A behavior consultant has a background in canine cognition, ethology, and behavioral analysis, while a dog trainer primarily focuses on learning theory. With that said, many certified dog trainers are also certified behavior consultants.

A certified behavior consultant can help with any of the following behavioral issues:

• Separation anxiety

• Reactivity

• Aggression

• Noise phobia

• Resource guarding

Behavior consultants usually hold the following certifications:

• CBCC-KA (Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers)

• CDBC (International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants)

What is a Veterinary Behaviorist?

A veterinary behaviorist is expected to hold a Ph.D. in a behavioral science or to have graduated from an accredited veterinary school, written three peer-reviewed case reports, completed a residency, authored a paper containing original research, and passed a comprehensive exam. 

If that sounds like a lot–it is. There are fewer than 80 veterinary behaviorists in the US. A veterinary behaviorist functions like a cross between a vet and a psychiatrist, and it’s not uncommon for a behavior consultant to work with a veterinary behaviorist on more complex cases.

A veterinary behaviorist can help you address any of the above behavioral disorders, especially if your vet or behavior consultant feels your dog would benefit from pharmaceutical intervention. Some behaviors, such as pica, cannot be managed through training alone. Others may be a result of trauma or a neurological issue, not necessarily related to training.

A board-certified veterinary behaviorist holds the DACVB certification, issued by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists.

In the US, ethical trainers and behavior consultants are careful not to call themselves behaviorists, out of respect and to avoid any confusion.