Professional Dog Training Affiliations
Helping You to Help Your Pet
The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers
The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers® (CCPDT®), established in 2001, is the leading independent certifying organization for the dog training profession. The CCPDT is the leader in the development of rigorous exams to demonstrate mastery of humane, science-based dog training practices. Thousands of dog training professionals worldwide maintain the CCPDT’s certifications as a mark of high professional distinction.
The IAABC was founded in 2004, recognizing that the practice of assisting the public with companion animal behavior problems was a growing field encompassing many different professionals: veterinary behaviorists, veterinarians, behavior consultants, animal trainers, animal shelter employees and volunteers, academics, as well as practicing professionals who don't always fit neatly into one of the aforementioned categories.
The goals of the IAABC are to standardize and support the practice of animal behavior consulting, to provide quality, evidence-based education and peer and supervising mentoring, and to provide resources for pet owners needing advice. IAABC certifications are the most rigorous in the field, and assess people working in multiple species, with private clients and in shelters, and we offer certification in both Spanish and English. The organization is growing and currently has over 1,900 members throughout the world, including Taiwan, UK, and Español divisions, with further country divisions launching in the coming year.
Association of Professional Dog Trainers
International Association of Canine Professionals
A renowned veterinarian, animal behaviorist, dog trainer and writer, Dr. Dunbar created the APDT, in 1993, as an inclusive forum for trainers to network with each other and provide educational opportunities and grow the profession. With a goal of helping trainers improve their knowledge and skills through education, the APDT provides an industry standard of excellence for our profession.
The IACP provides a community where experienced dog trainers mentor, guide, and cultivate members to their full potential. Their commitment to the highest quality training increases their members’ skills and abilities by developing professional recognition and improving communication on training best practices. They support members’ rights to properly use and promote effective, humane training tools and methods to create success for each dog and owner, while expanding the understanding and cooperation amongst canine professionals and dog owners across the full spectrum of the canine industry.
American Red Cross Canine First Aid & CPR Certification
American Kennel Club - STAR Puppy, Canine Good Citizen, AKC Trick Dog, and Virtual Home Manners Evaluator
The American Red Cross has been training people to perform first aid skills so they could save the lives of others. The organization also offers life saving skills for cats and dogs though First Aid and CPR courses. Upon completion of these courses, pet professionals and owners will know what to do in an emergency until veterinary care is available.
At the AKC, we believe that all dogs can be good dogs, and all owners can be great owners: all it takes is a little bit of training, lots of love, and of course, plenty of praise along the way.
That’s why we created the Canine Good Citizen™ (CGC) program: a two-part course designed to help you and your dog be the best you can be–together. Since 1989, over 1 million dogs and their owners have participated in CGC, mastering ten basic skills that instill confidence and good manners in and out of your home.
Not only does CGC training create long-lasting trust between you and your pup, but also ensures you’ll be good neighbors and friends to everyone around you—and, if you’re interested in going beyond the basics, CGC also lays the foundation for other AKC sports and activities like obedience, agility, tracking, and performance events.
