Do u you have to be certified to train a dog / animals ?

Question

I have been doing some animal training( dogs , horses) for people. I am good at obedience training, analyze behavior, and good at recommend solutions to their owners.

Answer 1

Animal training isn't a standardized or regulated profession so anyone can decide to "train" an animal and people. Being certified by an accredited organization or school will give you credence and taking advanced courses will elevate your marketing potential and allow you to be the best that you can.

I strongly believe that being certified is the way to go to make this "craft" more of a profession. Following codes of ethics and continuing education is critical.

It's also a good idea to go thru competency tests and programs to get non-biased feeback on your actual abilities, skills, knowledge and approach. Just stating that you are good doesn't cut it. Being tested by others in a non-biased manner is the way to go as a professional.

How do you rate your abilities and skills? Your own judgement?

Training abilities and skills: Bob Baily's Chicken Training Camp a must - visit: www.legacycanine.com

Competency Assessment Program -CAPS: www.learningaboutdogs.com

Advanced dog courses: www.cynologycollege.com

The Harvard School for Dog Trainers: SF/SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers: www.sfpca.org

How do you collect data? What's functional analysis about?

I think it also shows your committment to the fied of behavior. It will also show your strengths and weaknesses. What other kinds of courses or education are you doing to make yourself a rounded behavior trainer?

Certification Council of Pet Dog Trainers: www.ccpdt.com

It's a huge responsibility. You are responsible for a dog's quality of life or life period and the well-being of the family and community.

www.iaabc.org

So in my opinion, I think that it's very important to be well qualified and formally schooled in behavior psychology and learning along with other aspects.

Just my two cents.

In Canada (where I'm from) you have to go thru training classes, be evaluated in your knowledge and abilities and then pass a test before you can be certified in horse training. So it took a lot of time for me to accept that anyone here in the US can just one day call themselves animal trainers.

Answer 2

Did a quick search and initially do not have to be certified but you do to get continuing work need reference letters from the people whose animals that you have trained and Log the hours that you spend working with animals---these are the credentials that as you broaden your customer base you'll be asked for esp the references. To join , be a Member of the Professional Dog Trainer Organizations you do need to be certified--ask a Vet or look in the Yellow pages. Did a search on dog training and requirements and found this site that tells of the test for certification www.ccpdt.org Wish you success

Answer 3

You don't have to be certified, but it's good if you can become a member of any local training clubs in your area. It's credentials that will get you business and word of mouth that will keep it coming. Our trainer is a member of the local training club, the obedience club, and the agility club, but she only does training by referrals. No ads in the phone book or even listed as a trainer. But I'd take her over any of the ones that were in the phone book, cuz she's excellent at what she does.

Answer 4

"Certification" is the biggest joke out here. Those are private groups who have set themselves up to push this or that theory of training - and charge money to give someone a piece of paper saying they are "certified."

The biggest idiots and most inept trainers are those whose credentials are their "certifications." We currently have one of them in our town - waives this certification and that certification - and my vet who has trained through upper level Schutzhund and I who have earned the highest AKC obedience titles with dogs, done Tracking, trained Service Dogs, started Search and Rescue Dogs and worked with behavioral problems, just howl with laughter. The guy' theories don't work and his (now former) clients end up asking one of us for help.

Anyone who actually gets out and competes in AKC obedience hinks they are very funny - and lucrative since their clients invariably end up seeking help from someone who learned by doing and is out there competing at it.

There is no State in the US that has a program of state certification for animal trainers.

Not a single member of the US Equestrian Team in any of the 3 Olympic competitions is "certified" by some group - guess that's why they beat the pants off of Canada!!!!!.

If you get results, go for it.

Expand you experience by getting involved with your local kennel club; and by competing in Obedience or Agility or Tracking


THE ABSOLUTE BEST CREDENTIALS ARE A RECORD OF WINNING IN AKC PERFORMANCE COMPETION AND ACCUMLATING AKC TITLES ON YOUR DOGS!!


NOTHING SUCCEDS LIKE SUCCESS AND THE AKC PERFORMANCE RECORDS PROVE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING!!!

Much much better than some piece of paper from self-important private group!

Answer 5

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Answer 6

If its just your dog or a friends dog then thats fine. But if you were to do it for money or something then you should have a licence. But if you were just asked to do it by a friend or some one you know then go for it.

Answer 7

DEPENDS ON YOUR STATES LAWS I THINK. IN NH YOU ONLY HAVE TO BE CERTIFIED/LICENSED IF YOUR CHARGING MONEY. AND THATS MOSTLY FOR INSURANCE PURPOSES I THINK.

Answer 8

EXACTLY what Ann a said!