Alliance for Professionalism in Dog Training

18/01/2024

We extend a heartfelt invitation for everyone to join in our mission to foster a society where every dog owner can trust the training professionals they turn to for help and a world where no dog, or their owner, suffers due to an unqualified dog trainer. Become a vocal advocate in your state or provide essential financial support through a non-tax-deductible contribution to amplify our nationwide endeavors. Please explore our website for more information.

Across the United States, there is a concerning issue that is eroding the credibility of the dog training profession. Individuals misrepresenting themselves as knowledgeable and ethical dog trainers, are providing sub-standard, or even harmful, services to consumers and their dogs. Recent news headl...

11/07/2023

Another story out of Arizona reminding us why we are advocating for professional licensure.

There's an active arrest warrant for an Albuquerque dog trainer, Lisa Berry, connected to multiple criminal and civil cases.

26/06/2023

News stories like this one in Los Angeles further illustrate the need for dog trainer licensure across the U.S. Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, Inc. Executive Director and Alliance co-founder Brad Phifer was interviewed as part of this investigative report.

A group of dog owners recently met The I-Team in a Santa Monica park, where they came together with one issue in common: they all hired the same dog trainer who they say neglected their dogs.

31/01/2023

Articles like this Entrepreneur magazine piece showcase the benefits of working with dogs for a living. While this type of news may attract more dog lovers to our profession, it’s important that we do what we can to ensure everyone is properly trained and, when and where possible, licensed.

Do you have a love for animals? Are you looking for a financially and emotionally rewarding job? You might want to check out the ever-growing pet industry.

13/12/2022

We’ve created new resources for dog trainers who want to participate in advocacy efforts. Our advocacy toolkit includes talking points, draft email copy, a downloadable flyer, and social media graphics. When the time comes for you to contact state legislators or provide testimony in your state, we will provide more information on how best to do so.

The Alliance for Professionalism in Dog Training (the Alliance) works to educate state legislators about the need to adopt dog trainer licensure legislation across the United States. The Alliance engages in advocacy – a term that refers to supporting, defending, or arguing for a specific cause or ...

06/12/2022

According to a new study out of the University of Basel in Switzerland, time spent with dogs decreases levels of stress hormones and increases feel-good neurochemicals such as endorphins and oxytocin. The researchers also studied subjects’ brain activity when cuddling with stuffed animals, with live animals showing more positive results. Learn more about the methodology and results.

A new study published in PLOS One researched neurological changes that occur when interacting with dogs. The findings indicate that cuddling with real dogs and stuffed animals increases brain activity in the prefrontal region, but dogs cause significantly more brain activity than stuffed animals. .....

29/11/2022

We created a series of short informational videos to help dog trainers better understand the goals and objectives of the Alliance’s work, as well as how we’re getting it done. Here’s where you can find them. https://prodogtraineralliance.org/resources/

22/11/2022

Our efforts to advance state dog trainer licensure were featured in CEO Update magazine, a publication designed to educate and connect association executives by sharing relevant news and information. Read the article and learn more about the Alliance on our website!

07/11/2022

02/11/2022

A recent study published in the scientific journal Animal Cognition sought to understand what style of dog-rearing produces the most emotionally healthy, well-adjusted, happy dogs. Dog trainers will agree with Dr. Monique Udell, one of the researchers, who said, “Our research suggests that a willingness to truly understand what your dog is communicating with its behavior and responding appropriately can make a meaningful difference to its wellbeing and to the human-dog bond.”

A new study breaks down the right and wrong ways to "raise" a dog if you want your pet to feel safe and secure

26/10/2022

The Alliance is guided by the leadership of Association of Professional Dog Trainers and Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, Inc. At the recent APDT Conference, some members of our team found time to reconnect in person to discuss next steps toward the collective pursuit of state licensure for dog trainers across the U.S. Currently, we are working on a toolkit to help members of our profession become effective advocates once legislation is pending and needs grassroots support.

12/10/2022

The nose knows: A recent study out of the UK suggests that dogs can smell when people are stressed out. The research team used samples of sweat and breath from people both before and after they engaged in a difficult math exercise, and the dogs alerted to the post-task (higher stress) samples more than 90 percent of the time.

In an experiment, dogs were surprisingly accurate in detecting sweat and breath samples from people who were stressed.

07/10/2022

Catch up on the most frequently asked questions about the Alliance and our model legislation here! Have a question for us? Email [email protected]. https://prodogtraineralliance.org/faqs/

21/09/2022

Articles such as this one published in Undark Magazine help illustrate how state licensure for dog trainers will help protect dogs and the public, as well as strengthen the reputation of our profession. The author includes comments from APDT and CCPDT in her piece. https://undark.org/2022/09/12/punishment-puppies-and-science-bringing-dog-training-to-heel/

Efforts to regulate dog training have centered on studies examining the efficacy of punishment as a training tool

14/09/2022

In case you haven’t had a chance to review the Alliance’s model licensure legislation, here’s a link! As opportunities arise, we are presenting this draft to policymakers. The model legislation will be used to shape laws that benefit both dog training professionals and the public.https://prodogtraineralliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Revised-Model-Licensure-Legislation-for-Professional-Dog-Trainers-Updated-January-2022.pdf

09/09/2022

Here’s an interesting article published by Inverse featuring two recent university studies on dogs’ activity levels and cognition. Let us know if you find this helpful, interesting, or otherwise. https://www.inverse.com/science/human-and-dog-laziness-cognitive-decline

New research spotlights the relationship between inactive owners and lack of dog exercise. Another study suggests there may be a connection between dog inactivity and canine brain health.

01/09/2022

Want to help support your state’s advocacy efforts when the time comes? After a dog trainer licensure bill is introduced by a state legislator, grassroots advocacy can be instrumental in winning broader support. It’s not yet time to mobilize widespread outreach, but here's a short form to complete if you'd like us to contact you as soon as you can help support efforts in a state where you live or work. https://form.jotform.com/212927575769170

Please click the link to complete this form.

26/08/2022

Happy International Dog Day! As professional trainers, we see the remarkable bonds between dogs and their families every day. A new study published this week in “Current Biology” suggests that pups may actually shed tears when they are reunited with their owners after just a few hours’ time. According to TODAY.com, "It's paw-sible."

The research suggests that “dogs may have a greater attachment to their owners than we previously thought they did."

23/08/2022

Headlines such as this report of alleged abuse by unqualified dog trainers highlight why the industry is advocating for professional licensure across the U.S. The two trainers have subsequently been arrested for abuse. We are grateful to the local dog trainers quoted in the article who are helping readers understand the importance and value of licensure, certification, and the establishment of enforceable standards that will help prevent unqualified trainers from causing harm.

Certified dog trainers are speaking out about alleged dog abuse at a dog training academy in Rapides Parish.

04/08/2022

Alliance leadership and members of our profession feel passionately about how being licensed will protect trainers, pets, and owners. Learn more the effort to advance licensure nationwide. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcU13fI_r08

In Part 5 of the Alliance for Professionalism in Dog Training's Town Hall Video Series, we discuss the formation of the Alliance and background on advocacy i...

27/07/2022

Learn more about how your input led to stronger model legislation in Part Two of our recorded answers to your questions about professional dog trainer licensure. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gnZjjQamaQ

In Part 4 of this Town Hall Video Series from the Alliance for Professionalism in Dog Training, we continue our discussion of the dog training community's mo...

20/07/2022

To respond to your feedback and help you learn more about what it means to be professionally licensed, APDT and CCPDT recorded answers to your most frequently asked questions. Thank you for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNtB1227meg

In Part 3 of the Alliance for Professionalism in Dog Training's Town Hall Video Series, leadership of APDT and CCPDT discuss answers to the dog training comm...

12/07/2022

In Part 2 of our Town Hall video series, we discuss the process for advancing dog trainer licensure in each state, and how and when the community can get involved. Currently, a handful of states are considering licensure, and dog trainer voices should be heard whenever legislation is pending. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_LDZPSKHcM

In Part 2 of the Town Hall Series, leadership of the Alliance for Professionalism in Dog Training, including Heidi Meinzer of APDT and Brad Phifer of CCPDT, ...

06/07/2022

If you’d like to learn more about professional dog trainer licensure, watch this town hall video that explores the value licensing holds for dog trainers of all levels. This conversation among Alliance for Professionalism in Dog Training leadership is moderated by Darris Cooper, CPDT-KA, FFCP, Manager, Pet Services Dog Training Education at Petco. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5gTuVL1pZ8&t=12s

In this series of Town Hall videos, leadership of the Alliance for Professionalism in Dog Training discuss what professional licensure means and the value it...

07/06/2022

To help answer community questions and inform dog trainers who want to get involved in their local advocacy efforts, new resources have been posted on the Alliance website. In addition to five informational town hall videos, we have created sample email copy and talking points to share with policymakers when activities take place that warrant grassroots action. Check out the new resources, and please email questions and comments to [email protected]. https://prodogtraineralliance.org/resources/