How Do You Know Who To Trust?
How Do You Know Who To Trust?

How Do You Know Who To Trust?

Protect Your Pup:
The Importance of Checking Dog Professional Credentials

When it comes to our favorite furry family members, we naturally want the best care and training possible. Whether it’s a trainer, groomer, or boarding facility, pet owners often rely on the credentials and experience advertised by professionals. However, in Nova Scotia, the dog industry is completely unregulated, which means there is no governing body ensuring that individuals who claim to be “experts in canine care and behavior” actually meet specific standards

This lack of oversight makes it crucial for dog owners to take extra steps to verify the qualifications of those working with their pets.

The Problem with an Unregulated Industry

Unlike many professions, dog training, boarding, and care services do not require licenses or standardized certifications in Nova Scotia. This means anyone can call themselves a “certified” dog trainer, pet care provider, or behavior specialist without having undergone any formal education or assessment. While there are reputable certification programs available, the terms “certified” or “specialist” can be misleading when not tied to a recognized accrediting body.

Unfortunately, this lack of certification requirements can lead to many issues for your dog. Professionals without proper education might use outdated or aversive methods that can harm a dog physically or emotionally, or give poor advice about a dog’s behavior, health, or training, leading to frustration and worsening issues. It can also lead to unsafe environments as boarding, training, and day care facilities may overlook critical aspects of safety and canine well-being.

Recognized Certifications to Look For

While the industry is unregulated, there are several well-known organizations that offer rigorous education and certification for dog professionals. Some education organizations offer valuable certifications that are recognized by industry professionals, but there are also independent accreditation boards. For the purpose of this article, I will focus on the independent accreditation boards, which evaluate and certify professionals or organizations based on established standards of quality and ethical practices. Being accredited increases credibility, builds trust with clients, and demonstrates commitment to ethical, humane, and effective practices. 

For dog trainers, accreditation offers clients confidence that they are working with a qualified professional who follows best practices in training.

Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) – Canada: This certification is recognized internationally, and promotes positive reinforcement and humane training, and while not exclusively force-free, it provides resources and education around science-based, ethical training practices.

Canadian Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers (CAPPDT):  They emphasize positive reinforcement and humane training methods. Trainers who are members of CAPPDT are encouraged to use evidence-based, force-free techniques.

Companion Animal Sciences Institute (CASI) offers various programs, including certification courses, that promote science-based, humane methods for working with animals. Their courses focus on behavior science, canine learning theory, and applying positive reinforcement techniques, ensuring that trainers use ethical and force-free methods in their work.

Fear Free® Certification: Focused on reducing fear, anxiety, and stress in pets during interactions with humans, Fear Free is an internationally recognized certification program that aims to reduce anxiety and fear in animals, including dogs. The program emphasizes using fear-free, positive reinforcement methods that are particularly beneficial for both dog training and veterinary care.

IAABC Certifications: IAABC offers credentials that are recognized internationally, and advocate for behavior professionals as experts, ensuring they are viewed equally with related fields, protecting the profession and supporting independent careers. 

PACCC (Professional Animal Care Certification Council): The mission of the PACCC is to bring independent testing and certification to the pet care services industry. Independent certification is an important step for a rapidly growing, easy-to-enter industry frequently damaged by news reports of serious pet accidents and deaths. Professionals that pass stringent testing, which reflects a professional’s broad base knowledge of animal care, will receive a 3-year certification.

Pet Professional Guild (PPG): PPG is well-known for its force-free, positive reinforcement-focused philosophy. The Pet Professional Accreditation Board offers the only psychometrically sound examinations and accreditations supporting humane and scientific practices for professionals who believe there is no place for shock, choke, prong, pain, force, or fear in pet training and behavior practices.

Getting accredited from an independent organization takes time and money, and requires extensive knowledge and experience.

When a professional claims to be certified, take the time to research the organization they reference.
(If they do not reference or name the organization they claim to be “certified” from, that is a red flag.)

A credible certification program will have clear standards, require continuing education, and prioritize humane, science-based practices. Sadly, some people will even state they are certified with a specific entity, but they are not, or have not continued their education to keep the accreditation.

If you are in doubt, you have every right to verify the credentials of the pet professional claiming to be certified.

How to Verify Credentials

If someone advertises themselves as certified or specialized, there are some things you can do to ensure their qualifications are legitimate:

  • Ask for Specifics: Request the name of the certifying organization and verify it online.
  • Check Accreditation: Look for information about the organization’s credibility and whether it is recognized in the industry.
  • Look for Memberships: Reputable professionals are often members of organizations like the Pet Professional Guild (PPG) or the Canadian Association of Professional Dog Trainers (CAPDT).
  • Read Reviews: Look for testimonials and feedback from previous clients.
  • Ask Questions: Don’t hesitate to inquire about their training methods, education, and experience.

Does it really matter if they have credentials?

That’s a question that only you can answer. In my opinion, our dogs rely on us to make informed decisions about their care and training. By taking the time to look for, confirm, and verify credentials, you’re not only ensuring the safety and well-being of your pet but also encouraging accountability within this unregulated industry. 

Supporting professionals who prioritize education and humane practices is a vital step in establishing standards for dog professionals that benefit both dogs and their owners.

If you’re here, I’m confident in the assumption that you love your dog and want the very best for them. That’s why it’s so important to trust their education and welfare to someone with up-to-date knowledge and training. Choosing a professional who has taken the time to earn certification from a well respected, trusted third-party organization ensures they meet the highest standards of care – giving you peace of mind, and your dog the support they deserve.

If you’d like to know specific things to look for in a trainer, you can find red flags and green flags, relevant questions to ask, and more in my article Choosing a Dog Trainer – Tips & Flags

If you’ve ever been interested in becoming a professional dog trainer yourself, you can find a wonderful list (although not frequently updated) of recommended schools from the Canadian Association for Professional Dog Trainers here: 
Dog Trainer Schools.pdf. 
We can never have enough trainers who prioritize welfare using science-based practices, so if you’ve ever been curious, I encourage you to invest your education and become certified in ethical, humane, and force free training methods.

 Please join us in the movement to create a kinder, more compassionate, welfare focused, ethical training world for our canine companions!