Who licenses dog trainers?

[binka_nugget]

I don't know what it's like in the United States but in Canada, anyone can call themselves a dog trainer. Heck, anyone can call themselves a "certified dog trainer".. just print out a certificate and there ya go!

I teach private and group classes. I've never been certified (though joining CAPPDT is on my to-do list).. everything I know is through hands-on experience and trial and error. I've mentored with behaviorists and trainers and have gone to seminars, but I've never been certified.

[borzoimom]

Alot of places do not require certification. I actually did it because I could get a license and a "bonded" . .. shoot- we had one lady teaching classes a few years ago- lolllllllllll.. I will leave the rest alone.

[applesmom]

Alot of places do not require certification. I actually did it because I could get a license and a "bonded" . .. shoot- we had one lady teaching classes a few years ago- lolllllllllll.. I will leave the rest alone.

borzoimom perhaps we're mis-communicating here. It sounds like what you have is a business license to practice dog training. That's not the information I'm looking for.

When I see an ad that says "licensed" dog trainer I visualize an organization or city, county or state agency that oversees ALL dog trainers in that specific area. One that has set rules, guidlines, qualifications and testing for licensing. As far as I can see the industry isn't truly monitored by anyone and "licensed" simply means the individual or company might have a business license.

[borzoimom]

borzoimom perhaps we're mis-communicating here. It sounds like what you have is a business license to practice dog training. That's not the information I'm looking for.

When I see an ad that says "licensed" dog trainer I visualize an organization or city, county or state agency that oversees ALL dog trainers in that specific area. One that has set rules, guidlines, qualifications and testing for licensing. As far as I can see the industry isn't truly monitored by anyone and "licensed" simply means the individual or company might have a business license.

Obviously we are miscommunicating. Not sure about your state, but here its only a accrediate school they will accept for a license. Alot of licences are harder to get in the state of Virginia. I have no idea about your state. Mine is a certification from a great school- at the time it was a longer course- and even the acceptance into the school was quite an honor. Obviously your state is different..Even licensed electricians, HVAC, builders etc do not have an " organization.."

[applesmom]

Obviously your state is different..Even licensed electricians, HVAC, builders etc do not have an " organization.."

Yes they do have an organization that oversees their activities. It's called the registrar of contractors.

We're not getting anywhere with this one. There is not one place on the internet that invalidates the statement from the website you originally posted.

There are currently NO State laws that require a Dog Trainer to have any special license or education.

What you are describing that you have is a business license. That isn't what I'm looking for. I'm looking for laws that license and regulate dog trainers, monitor their activities and guarantee some sort of standards and professionalism.

Currently they don't exist anywhere in the United States.

[borzoimom]

Yes they do have an organization that oversees their activities. It's called the registrar of contractors.

We're not getting anywhere with this one. There is not one place on the internet that invalidates the statement from the website you originally posted.


What you are describing that you have is a business license. That isn't what I'm looking for. I'm looking for laws that license and regulate dog trainers, monitor their activities and guarantee some sort of standards and professionalism.

Currently they don't exist anywhere in the United States.

Its not a business license.. You do not get it what we are saying.. its a certification obviously NOT done in your state. Remind me not to take dog classes there. ..

[applesmom]

Its not a business license.. You do not get it what we are saying.. its a certification obviously NOT done in your state. Remind me not to take dog classes there. ..

I get it! Certification and license are two completely different things. I could become a "certified" dog trainer in Arizona if I chose to. I CAN'T become licensed because licensing for dog trainers isn't in existence anywhere in the united states.

That's my concern!

[mike001]

I don't know what it's like in the United States but in Canada, anyone can call themselves a dog trainer. Heck, anyone can call themselves a "certified dog trainer".. just print out a certificate and there ya go!

I teach private and group classes. I've never been certified (though joining CAPPDT is on my to-do list).. everything I know is through hands-on experience and trial and error. I've mentored with behaviorists and trainers and have gone to seminars, but I've never been certified.

Wherever did you get the idea that in Canada we can call ourselves dog trainers and teach without certification and licensing? We go to the same college as we do for horse studies except take dog studies, We first have to have put five dogs through cgc, td, cd,cdx,ud, tx and shutzhund. We then have to judge at matches and local shows for 1 yr. Meanwhile we are also volunteering to do classes for our kennel club. When we do get to judge an obedience show, we do so under the supervision of a renowned judge who marks us as we judge. You have to judge 5 formal shows . Then an obedience judge will put you through your paces and watch you handle a class of dogs and will certify that you are eligible to teach on your own. Meanwhile, if you intend to make a career of this you can apply for a licence. The reason many don't apply for a licence is because of the tax grab.
Sure, we have pet stores that will hire young people to train in the store, but it isn't exactly training, more socialization. The dogs don't even learn to sit.
But isn't there always going to be self made trainers who think that following a book or watching a video qualifies them?

[borzoimom]

Wherever did you get the idea that in Canada we can call ourselves dog trainers and teach without certification and licensing? We go to the same college as we do for horse studies except take dog studies, We first have to have put five dogs through cgc, td, cd,cdx,ud, tx and shutzhund. We then have to judge at matches and local shows for 1 yr. Meanwhile we are also volunteering to do classes for our kennel club. When we do get to judge an obedience show, we do so under the supervision of a renowned judge who marks us as we judge. You have to judge 5 formal shows . Then an obedience judge will put you through your paces and watch you handle a class of dogs and will certify that you are eligible to teach on your own. Meanwhile, if you intend to make a career of this you can apply for a licence. The reason many don't apply for a licence is because of the tax grab.
Sure, we have pet stores that will hire young people to train in the store, but it isn't exactly training, more socialization. The dogs don't even learn to sit.
But isn't there always going to be self made trainers who think that following a book or watching a video qualifies them?

Its like that here, but the prior titles were part of acceptance in the school to have you certified. In order to be on the higher levels you have to have demonstrative proof of prior handled titled dogs..

[binka_nugget]

Wherever did you get the idea that in Canada we can call ourselves dog trainers and teach without certification and licensing? We go to the same college as we do for horse studies except take dog studies, We first have to have put five dogs through cgc, td, cd,cdx,ud, tx and shutzhund. We then have to judge at matches and local shows for 1 yr. Meanwhile we are also volunteering to do classes for our kennel club. When we do get to judge an obedience show, we do so under the supervision of a renowned judge who marks us as we judge. You have to judge 5 formal shows . Then an obedience judge will put you through your paces and watch you handle a class of dogs and will certify that you are eligible to teach on your own. Meanwhile, if you intend to make a career of this you can apply for a licence. The reason many don't apply for a licence is because of the tax grab.
Sure, we have pet stores that will hire young people to train in the store, but it isn't exactly training, more socialization. The dogs don't even learn to sit.
But isn't there always going to be self made trainers who think that following a book or watching a video qualifies them?

As far as I know, there isn't a law stating the requirements for someone to call themselves a dog trainer. There are places to get certified and recognized.. CWCC, CAPPDT, Prewitt, APDT, etc.. but there isn't one sole organization that all trainers HAVE TO belong to. Would I go to a trainer who did everything you mentioned over someone from Petsmart? You bet! Even before I started teaching I always picked my trainers carefully.. but there's nothing stopping the average person from deciding to call themselves a dog trainer. There are plenty of trainers here who have never been certified by an organization and are making a living from training dogs.