The Association of Professional Dog Trainers

The Association of Professional Dog Trainers
Name	The Association of Professional Dog Trainers
Abbreviation	APDT
Formation	1990
Type	Professional association
Headquarters	United States
Region served	International
Membership	Trainers, behaviorists, educators

The Association of Professional Dog Trainers is a professional organization for canine trainers, behavior consultants, and related professionals. It provides standards, education, certification pathways, and advocacy within the field of animal behavior and companion animal services. The organization interacts with veterinary bodies, academic institutions, animal welfare organizations, and industry groups to promote evidence-based practices.

History

Founded in 1990, the organization emerged amid shifting trends in companion animal care and behavior influenced by figures and institutions such as Cesar Millan, Karen Pryor, Susan Friedman, American Veterinary Medical Association, and Humane Society of the United States. Early development paralleled advances in behavior analysis and applied animal behavior seen at University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, and research networks like Society for Applied Animal Behavior. The group expanded through collaborations with conferences and events such as International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants meetings, ClickerExpo, and workshops hosted at venues like Animal Behavior Society symposia.

Mission and Purpose

The association's stated aims align with organizations such as Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, and World Small Animal Veterinary Association by promoting humane, science-based training. It advocates for standards echoed by professional bodies including American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior and educational partners like Cornell University and University of Edinburgh. The purpose includes public education similar to outreach by ASPCA, policy engagement comparable to American Bar Association advocacy models, and professional development akin to programs run by American Association of Veterinary State Boards.

Membership and Certification

Membership draws professionals, paraprofessionals, and students associated with institutions such as Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Colorado State University, University of California, Davis, Royal Veterinary College, and private practices tied to clinics like Banfield Pet Hospital. Certification efforts reference credentialing frameworks used by Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, and credential systems such as Board Certified Behavior Analyst pathways. The organization has relationships with registries and licensing discussions seen in contexts like Occupational Information Network descriptors and standards developed by bodies including National Commission for Certifying Agencies.

Programs and Education

Educational offerings mirror curricula at Karen Pryor Academy, Animal Behavior College, Victoria Stilwell Academy, and universities offering animal behavior degrees like University of Lincoln. Programs include workshops, webinars, and conferences similar to ClickerExpo, International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants summits, and continuing education recognized by American Veterinary Medical Association. Training content often cites research from laboratories and centers such as Jane Goodall Institute, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Cambridge Department of Veterinary Medicine, and publications in journals like Journal of Veterinary Behavior and Applied Animal Behaviour Science.

Standards and Ethics

Codes of conduct reflect parallels with ethical frameworks from American Veterinary Medical Association, British Veterinary Association, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, and professional society codes such as those of American Psychological Association. Standards emphasize humane methods analogous to those promoted by Karen Pryor, reinforced by evidence from researchers at University of Edinburgh and WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition. The association engages in policy dialogue similar to debates involving American Kennel Club, Federation Cynologique Internationale, and regulatory considerations seen in European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals.

Research and Advocacy

Research liaison efforts connect with academic partners like Cornell University, University of Pennsylvania, University of California, Davis, Auburn University, and international labs at University of Helsinki and University of Vienna. Advocacy campaigns align with initiatives by Humane Society International, RSPCA, Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, and public health collaborations with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Organisation for Animal Health. The organization promotes evidence-based interventions informed by studies published in Nature, Science, and specialized outlets such as Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Regional Chapters and Events

Regional chapters and local networks coordinate events analogous to regional activities by American Veterinary Medical Association state branches, British Veterinary Association regional groups, and conferences like International Conference on Human-Animal Interactions. Local seminars and meetups frequently occur in association with institutions such as San Diego Humane Society, Toronto Humane Society, RSPCA Australia, and municipal animal services seen in cities like New York City, London, Sydney, and Toronto.

Category:Professional associations Category:Dog training