The International Association of Canine Professionals

Early on in my dog-training career, I was introduced to the International Association of Canine Professionals as a quality organization for those professionals who work with dogs.  I have always liked this organization, even as it has gone through some growing pains.  I joined in 2003 or 2004.   I became a professional member in 2007 or 2008.   This year I will finally stop procrastinating and turn in my submission for Certified Dog Trainer, which will be reviewed by accomplished members of the International Association of Canine Professionals.

The International Association of Canine Professionals has planned and thought out their membership levels, bylaws, position statements, annual conferences, members needs and wants, online discussion boards with purpose and intelligence.   For instance, one cannot become a voting member simply by paying dues.   A professional in the dog services field must submit evidence of their years of service before attaining such a status in the organization.

Many reasons exist including the above that cause me to maintain my membership:

1. The thoughtfulness that went into creating an organization for canine professionals.
2. Member boards allow for frank conversation from anything dog to the actual policies of the International Association of Canine Professionals.  I have belonged to other professional organizations where these types of discussions were not allowed, and you could be put on suspension for trying to bring such items up.
3. The talents of long time members like Martin Deeley, Vivian Bregman, Margot Woods, Jack and Wendy Volhard, and more.
4. IACP’s dog trainer certification test(s) is/are comprised of case studies and essay questions.   A dog trainer needs to answer questions in their own words for review of approved accomplished members.   The fee for this is quite reasonable at 75.00 for submission.
5. Members are frequently asked their opinions and whether the International Association of Canine Professionals is delivering what their members want.
6. Unlike some other organizations, there is a voting process that members are involved in.
7. Much thought goes into their annual conference each year.  

Additionally, members of this organization are truly passionate about dogs and their professional work with dogs.   This infectious enthusiasm motivates and drives others to better themselves and set goals for improvement of their craft.  

If you are a professional in the dog services or supplies business, this organization will open up much information, networking opportunities, and exposure to different and new information.

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APDT's Forumla/Certification in Professional Canine Organizations (Robert Rubin)

Pass a multiple choice test, start seminars (not too choosey and will give credit), write articles, then write a book. It's a time tested formula, and the reason that many great dog trainers have left the APDT for something a bit more real and ethical.

When my wife started as a trainer, she felt this would be a non-political career LOL. Early on, it was realized that dog training is a career in marketing and politics. I give APDT kudos for coming through with a great marketing strategy, and a way to double speak while maintaining a goal and extremism consistently.

When someone who blogs that they don't understand how dog training or didn't understand how dog training is part of the behavior modification puzzle, and they have give out seminars approved for APDT CEU's, that tells you the quality of those given the nod by the APDT. Who on one hand rails about tools and certain training methods as aversive, but then suddenly understands what trainers who use the tools supposedly don't----that training is the ability to decrease either reward or correction in the ability to perform a command with distance, duration, and distraction.

No kidding? Why I never realized that....sigh. It's one thing to trap one's own dog into a state of fear. It's another to talk "professionally" and tell others that methods won't work for them. In that light, we will be thanking this particularly trainer for their contributions to Mannerly Mutts favorite charities in a few months. It's frightening however how this very misunderstood information has been doled out to others under the umbrella of certification, especially of this organization, just my honest opinion here.

Someday it is our hope that results in standardized performance tests will be required to be a licensed dog trainer. Hopefully the organizations that we value (IACP and NADOI) will also support such legislation when the day comes. My wife will be submitting her case study certification soon to the IACP, and agrees it has only been her fault that it has not been done. However, we value the time and referrals that the IACP requires before certification can even be taken. A panel of judges scores not the multiple choice questions, but the results of the case studies documented in both material presented to the clients, but also what the actual clients have to say:) These are exciting times coming up.

Maine and New Hampshire Dog Trainers
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