02/06/2025
Urgent: NJ Committee Considering Bill Impacting All Dog Trainers on Monday (2/10)
February 5, 2025
https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/urgent-nj-committee-considering-bill-impacting-dog-trainers-monday-2-10/
On Monday, February 10, 2025, the New Jersey Senate Economic Growth Committee will hold a hearing on a bill to establish the “Dog Training Licensing Board” to license and regulate dog trainers. In addition, the board will establish a training philosophy that must be used for every trainer in the state.
Those who train dogs in any capacity in the state are strongly encouraged to call the committee TODAY and express concerns. Trainers are also encouraged to attend the hearing on Monday to demonstrate the broad concerns with this bill. Scroll down for more information.
Summary:
SB 3814 seeks to provide oversight to dog trainers. As used in the legislation, dog training means the handling or training of dogs for a fee, salary, or other form of compensation. Specifically, the bill establishes the Dog Training Licensing Board and provides authorization for the board to, among other items: 1) develop educational and experiential requirements for licensure as a dog trainer; and 2) adopt rules and regulations regarding dog training.
Under the bill, the board is also to “establish an evidence-based, humane training code of practice that aligns with current welfare principles and incorporates scientifically endorsed methods that preclude the use of “aversive training methods” which are defined as the use of practices, devices, or tools employed by a dog trainer that deliberately cause pain, injury, or distress.
While the bill includes an exemption from the educational and experiential requirements for individuals who demonstrate the provision of services as a dog trainer continuously in the State for at least one year prior to the effective date of the bill, it is unclear as to the length of that exemption.
AKC’s Questions and Concerns
As proposed, there are some questions about the bill:
1) As written, it appears as if the bill requires licensing of everyone who trains a dog and receives any consideration for doing so.
This would seem to include not just professional training facilities, but Canine Good Citizen, handling, agility, and basic obedience classes that are often offered by experts in clubs on a part-time basis. This could eliminate many of the classes that offer tremendous value to the community because the cost of licensing and the potential for continuing education (an additional cost) would just be too much.
2) Develop one training philosophy for the state is not in the best interest of dogs or the community – Dogs are not one size fits all. The American Kennel Club would never condone methods that endanger a dog, but other terms are unclear. For example, how is “distress” defined, and who determines it? This bill would mandate one training philosophy void of any for flexibility in humane training practices.
What you can do
AKC opposes the bill as we believe it could have far-reaching consequences for many of our clubs, handlers, and CGC evaluators among others.
Contact the Committee:
Those who would likely be impacted by the bill and those who would like to comment are encouraged to contact the members of the Senate Economic Growth Committee (click one members name) and the sponsor, Senator Vin Gopal to let them know of your concerns.
Attend the Hearing on Monday, February 10:
We would also encourage as many as possible to attend the Committee meeting on February 10 at 10:30AM. The meeting will take place in the NJ Statehouse Annex, Committee Room 4, 1st Floor, Trenton, NJ to offer testimony
Attendees wishing to testify must do so in-person, and complete a testimony slip prior to the beginning of the hearing. Slips are usually available on the reception table in the committee room and can be handed to the committee staff when complete. Attendees may also register their position as “support” or “oppose” on the testimony slip, while selecting the option not to testify.
AKC Government Relations appreciates our partner, the New Jersey Federation of Dog Clubs in monitoring legislation impacting dog. For questions or more information, contact AKC GR at [email protected].
On Monday, February 10, 2025, the New Jersey Senate Economic Growth Committee will hold a hearing on a bill to establish the “Dog Training Licensing Board” to license and regulate dog trainers. In addition, the board will establish a training philosophy that must be used for every trainer in the...
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