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Ask Yvette

Dear Yvette,

Is there a difference between a certified trainer, a professional dog trainer and a behaviorist? We are really confused because everyone seems to have memberships, and they all sound good. Are they?

Janie

What's in a name? You are correct that they all do sound good. In a buyer beware industry, smart consumers look beyond sales pitches.

There are literally dozens of organizations that pet trainers can belong to. The requirements range from very detailed commitments all the way down to nothing. That's right – nothing. Some organizations let everyone join. That may not be a bad thing. Chat based communities help trainers link with other professionals in a more social setting. They let new trainers learn. But it does not help you screen very well does it?

There are no specific rules for scouting out qualifications. Here are six easy guidelines to help you avoid common pitfalls and sales pitches.

Look for misleading terms: A Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist is one of the highest designations you look for. Those words are precise. A Certified Dog Behaviorist is not the same thing. The term Behaviorist is not the same thing. An ethiologist is not a protected title either. Only full titles are protected. If someone is using a term that is close to the protected title then dig deeper. Similar words may mean you are being misled. Find out who has certified that individual. There are other designations such as Certified Animal Behavior Consultant (CABC), Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT) or Associate Animal Behavior Consultant. They also have very specific meanings and can give a clear indication of a trainer's qualifications. Every word counts.

Policies and Rules: Memberships have codes of conduct. They have policies in place. These items tell you more about a group than the fancy marketing on the home page. Go to the membership application and read the rules. Ask yourself if the policies are good enough for you and your pet.

Membership Provisions: Who can join this group? Are there educational requirements? Do members need to upgrade on a continuous basis? In my opinion, some of the better groups have some pretty tight screening processes. No screening? Does that mean the guy who kicks his dogs can join too? Scary thought.

Red flags and sales pitches: When you read the membership guidelines, look for odd rules. They often reflect the tone of the organization. Are those rules in your best interest or the interest of the members? Pet trainers are in a unique position. They need to meet your needs plus the needs of the animal and the safety of the community. Make buying decisions based on substance, not sales pitches.

Dangerous Advice: I recently read material presented by a professional organization telling people to spray bitter apple into a dog's mouth. Bitter apple is made with isopropyl alcohol. It is supposed to be spayed on objects, not in the dog's mouth. It is toxic if ingested. Spraying the product on objects allows the alcohol to evaporate. If a pet training organization posts advice that is this bad – run.

Honesty: Ask tough questions when you are screening. I really wish more people did. Those that are honest about their qualifications will tell you straight up. Those that are not will try to sell you. Use your head. You can't legislate common sense.

Yvette is an award winning pet writer and pet behavior columnist. She also is the author of Meeting Milo, a North American dog bite prevention program to reduce the approximately 2 million children bit by dogs annually. She is the owner of AwesomeDogs.ca and works as a behavior consultant in London, Ontario.

This column was originally featured in The Londoner
See more of Yvette... www.awesomedogs.ca
www.meetingmilo.com

Yvette has 2 dogs of her own, KIKI and KAYA. Take a look...

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