APDT Code of Ethics

APDT Code of Professional Conduct and Responsibility

As a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), I will strive to:

Provide honest, professional services of the highest standards.
Develop and apply training programs in line with the APDT’s mission of advocating dog-friendly training.
Assess my own knowledge, experience and qualifications and work within my professional limits.
Continue professional development by reading relevant material; attending conferences, workshops and seminars; and pursuing other educational opportunities.
Treat all dogs and clients with respect, taking into account their physical and psychological well-being and respecting clients’ wishes regarding the training of their dogs.
Refrain from representing dog training and behavioral information as scientific, unless the information is derived from legitimate research.
Refrain from giving guarantees regarding the outcome of training, because there is no sure way to guarantee the cooperation and performance of all parties involved and because the knowledge of animal behavior is incomplete. This should not be confused with a desire to guarantee client satisfaction with professional services.
Respect the privacy of my clients and hold in confidence all information obtained in the course of professional services, unless otherwise agreed upon in advance. I will use discretion in revealing information regarding dogs displaying potentially dangerous behavior.
Incorporate what it means to be a responsible dog owner into training programs.
Be respectful of colleagues and other professionals and not falsely condemn the character of their professional acts.

What is the APDT?

The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) is a professional organization of individual trainers who are committed to becoming better trainers through education. They were founded in 1993 by Ian Dunbar DVM, Ph.D. as a forum for trainers to associate with one another and to discuss topics of mutual interest. They have since become a member-driven organization producing educational conferences in locations throughout the United States. Their annual conference has grown from 250 participants a few years ago to 1500 participants.

Their members include world renowned speakers and authors, veterinarians, dog trainers, dog club members, humane society personnel and service dog trainers. The APDT offers individual pet dog trainers a respected and concerted voice in the dog world. They continue to promote professional trainers to the veterinary profession and to increase public awareness of dog friendly training techniques.