In Canada, the dog training industry is unregulated meaning anyone can call themselves a dog trainer, even without adequate knowledge, expertise, or experience in modern, ethical dog training.
For most dog guardians, finding accurate and reliable information is overwhelming and confusing and it’s easy to fall for predatory marketing, false advertising, and jargon when searching for help.
Unfortunately, mis/disinformation is rampant and many trainers still use outdated, harmful training techniques and tools. The harms of using punishment and outdated methods has been well documented (e.g., see this post by –> Eileen Anderson on the Fallout of Punishment and this post by –> Dr. Zazie Todd on the Science of Dog Training) and is not supported by modern, ethical training. The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association also has a position statement on the Humane Training of Dogs (<–click link)
Certification
Dog training certification is one way to ensure trainers meet minimum requirements, adhere to a code of ethics and standards of practice, and maintain a practice that’s in line with the latest in dog training science.
However, not all certifications are created equal and not all “codes of ethics” are actually ethical. Like dog training itself, anyone can open a dog training “school” and start certifying others without a modern curriculum, accountability for trainers, practice documents, or minimum standards.
For dog guardians, the unregulated nature of dog training and mountains of mis/disinformation can feel impossible to navigate, especially when seeking help at a vulnerable time.
Here’s what to look for and what to avoid when hiring a dog trainer:
|
What to look for |
What to avoid |
| ✔ Trainers who use markers, clickers, food, toys, harnesses and solely “rewards based,” “force free.” or “positive reinforcement” methods | X Trainers who use prong collars, shock collars, choke chains, leash pops, “corrections,” and/or use “aversive” or “balanced” training methods |
| ✔ Trainers who use “errorless” learning, careful desensitization and counter-conditioning, and management strategies | X Trainers who use fear, intimidation, flooding, and scare tactics (e.g., yelling, startling, using bottles of pennies/noise to scare dogs) |
| ✔ Trainers who clearly state their background, education, methods, and experience | X Trainers who obscure their education, credentials, experience, or methods |
| ✔ Trainers certified through recognized organizations such as the Karen Pryor Academy, Pet Professional Guild, IAABC, and Academy for Dog Trainers with Codes of Ethics, Standards of Practice, and clear mechanisms to file complaints | X Trainers who are “certified” through random organizations/businesses with no Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice, or clear mechanism to for dog parents to file complaints |
| ✔ Trainers who give you realistic timelines, honest advice about the complexity of issues, and use gradual techniques built on success | X Trainers who guarantee results or promise fast results |
| ✔ Trainers who rely on cooperation, collaboration, and work with, rather than against, natural dog behaviours | X Trainers who rely on “dominance/alpha” theory, suppress natural dog behaviours, or call themselves “dog whisperers” |
What can you do?
Although certification can be helpful, it’s not the be all and end all!
The best thing you can do is ask LOTS of questions before you hire someone. Here are some examples of what to ask:
- What techniques do you use? Hint: ethical trainers should only use rewards based, force-free, positive reinforcement, and/or errorless learning
- What does progress look like and how long does it take? Hint: progress varies for each individual depending on history, individual needs, complexity and number of behaviours, and capacity of the family. Behaviour change can’t be guaranteed or quick
- What do you do if the dog makes a mistake? Hint: ethical trainers will modify the training environment and build on success. Harmful trainers will use “corrections,” punishment, force, leash pops, fear, or confinement
- Do you have experience with X behaviour? Hint: if you’re hiring someone to help with specific behaviour concerns like reactivity, predation, or phobias, your trainer should have experience using force-free methods to modify such behaviours
- Are you certified and insured? Hint: look for recognized credentials such as KPA, IAABC, PPG, or ADT as well as liability insurance
- What tools do you use? Hint: ethical trainers use markers, clickers, food, toys, praise, harnesses and do not use prong collars, choke chains, e-collars/shock collars, punishment, corrections, fear, intimidation, or flooding
Unfortunately, until the pet care industry is regulated, it’s up to individual guardians to seek out reliable, ethical care. Hopefully this blog post provides some guidance in the right direction.
As always, reach out with questions anytime!