Behavior & Training
Local Trainers/Training Facilities (and some online training resources as well). I have put together a list of trainers & facilities that I am familiar with, but I am sure there are many more in the area. Please let me know if you are aware of any that you would like to see added.
Finding a Qualified Trainer and/or Behavior Consultant
The ASPCA has advice on how to determine what kind of training and/or behavior assistance you & your dog need and how to appropriately assess potential trainers. Please visit their site for more info. Click here for a guide from the APDT on the different designations and certifications held by trainers and animal behavior professionals.
My intention is to provide you with resources that you can use to make an informed decision as to where you would like to seek training for you and your dog. There are some people I can personally recommend however, as well as some that use techniques that I cannot in good conscious endorse and thus will not include.
The ASPCA has advice on how to determine what kind of training and/or behavior assistance you & your dog need and how to appropriately assess potential trainers. Please visit their site for more info. Click here for a guide from the APDT on the different designations and certifications held by trainers and animal behavior professionals.
My intention is to provide you with resources that you can use to make an informed decision as to where you would like to seek training for you and your dog. There are some people I can personally recommend however, as well as some that use techniques that I cannot in good conscious endorse and thus will not include.
Certified Professional Dog Trainers (CPDTs)
"The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), an independent organization created by the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), offers an international certification program for dog trainers. To earn the designation of Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT), an individual must demonstrate that she has accrued a requisite number of working hours as a dog trainer, provide letters of recommendation and pass a standardized test that evaluates her or his knowledge of canine ethology, basic learning theory, canine husbandry and teaching skills. After meeting the necessary requirements and passing the exam, a CPDT must abide by a code of ethics and earn continuing education credits to maintain certification. You can find a list of professional dog trainers at www.ccpdt.org or apdt.com
Although CPDT certification means that a trainer has met the minimum educational, experiential and ethical standards required of the pet-behavior profession, it does not guarantee that she or he meets a specified level of professional competence. Even if a trainer has earned a CPDT title, it’s important to ask for recommendations and conduct a careful interview before employing her or him." - ASPCA
"The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), an independent organization created by the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), offers an international certification program for dog trainers. To earn the designation of Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT), an individual must demonstrate that she has accrued a requisite number of working hours as a dog trainer, provide letters of recommendation and pass a standardized test that evaluates her or his knowledge of canine ethology, basic learning theory, canine husbandry and teaching skills. After meeting the necessary requirements and passing the exam, a CPDT must abide by a code of ethics and earn continuing education credits to maintain certification. You can find a list of professional dog trainers at www.ccpdt.org or apdt.com
Although CPDT certification means that a trainer has met the minimum educational, experiential and ethical standards required of the pet-behavior profession, it does not guarantee that she or he meets a specified level of professional competence. Even if a trainer has earned a CPDT title, it’s important to ask for recommendations and conduct a careful interview before employing her or him." - ASPCA
Veterinary Behaviorists (DVM, DACVB)
"Knowledge of animal behavior isn’t required to earn a veterinary degree, and animal behavior isn’t comprehensively taught in most veterinary training programs. However, some veterinarians seek specialized education in animal behavior and earn certification through the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. To become a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (Dip ACVB), veterinarians must complete a residency in behavior and pass a qualifying examination.
In addition to having knowledge of domestic animal behavior and experience treating pet behavior problems, veterinary behaviorists can prescribe medications that can help speed along your pet’s treatment. Issues that often require the use of medication include separation anxiety, phobias, compulsive behaviors and fear of people, objects or other animals. You can find a list of veterinarians with ACVB certification at www.dacvb.org." - ASPCA
"Knowledge of animal behavior isn’t required to earn a veterinary degree, and animal behavior isn’t comprehensively taught in most veterinary training programs. However, some veterinarians seek specialized education in animal behavior and earn certification through the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. To become a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (Dip ACVB), veterinarians must complete a residency in behavior and pass a qualifying examination.
In addition to having knowledge of domestic animal behavior and experience treating pet behavior problems, veterinary behaviorists can prescribe medications that can help speed along your pet’s treatment. Issues that often require the use of medication include separation anxiety, phobias, compulsive behaviors and fear of people, objects or other animals. You can find a list of veterinarians with ACVB certification at www.dacvb.org." - ASPCA
Animal Behavior Clinic
Dr. Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB 809 SE Powell Boulevard | Portland, OR 97202 Maps & Directions tel 503-236-7833 | fax 503-252-6481 [email protected] |
Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists (CAABs & ACAABs)
"An applied animal behaviorist has earned an MS, MA or PhD in animal behavior. They are experts in dog and cat behavior and often in the behavior of other companion animal species as well, such as horses and birds. Some CAABs are veterinarians who have completed a residency in animal behavior. Some behaviorists have also met the requirements for certification by the Board of Professional Certification of the Animal Behavior Society (ABS). Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists (CAABs, those with a doctoral degree) and Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists (ACAABs, those with a master’s degree) received supervised graduate or post-graduate training in animal behavior, biology, zoology and learning theory at accredited universities. They possess the relevant education, research and practical experience according to specified academic and ethical standards. They are an exclusive group, numbering only about 50 in all of North America.
Effective applied animal behaviorists will have expertise in (a) behavior modification, so they know the techniques that produce changes in behavior, (b) the normal behavior of the species they’re treating, so they can recognize how and why your pet’s behavior is abnormal, and (c) teaching and counselling people, so they can effectively teach you how to understand and work with your pet. Many applied animal behaviorists know basic common medical conditions that can impact an animal’s behavior. Most are also familiar with psychotropic medications, such as tranquilizers and antidepressants, which can enhance the effectiveness of a treatment program. Most CAABs work through veterinary referrals, and they work closely with veterinarians to select the best behavioral medications for pets. You can find a list of CAABs and ACAABs at www.certifiedanimalbehaviorist.com."- ASPCA
"An applied animal behaviorist has earned an MS, MA or PhD in animal behavior. They are experts in dog and cat behavior and often in the behavior of other companion animal species as well, such as horses and birds. Some CAABs are veterinarians who have completed a residency in animal behavior. Some behaviorists have also met the requirements for certification by the Board of Professional Certification of the Animal Behavior Society (ABS). Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists (CAABs, those with a doctoral degree) and Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists (ACAABs, those with a master’s degree) received supervised graduate or post-graduate training in animal behavior, biology, zoology and learning theory at accredited universities. They possess the relevant education, research and practical experience according to specified academic and ethical standards. They are an exclusive group, numbering only about 50 in all of North America.
Effective applied animal behaviorists will have expertise in (a) behavior modification, so they know the techniques that produce changes in behavior, (b) the normal behavior of the species they’re treating, so they can recognize how and why your pet’s behavior is abnormal, and (c) teaching and counselling people, so they can effectively teach you how to understand and work with your pet. Many applied animal behaviorists know basic common medical conditions that can impact an animal’s behavior. Most are also familiar with psychotropic medications, such as tranquilizers and antidepressants, which can enhance the effectiveness of a treatment program. Most CAABs work through veterinary referrals, and they work closely with veterinarians to select the best behavioral medications for pets. You can find a list of CAABs and ACAABs at www.certifiedanimalbehaviorist.com."- ASPCA
International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
"There is no set path to becoming a behavior consultant. Our consultants have varying backgrounds in animal care and behavior, from veterinary behaviorists to vet techs, trainers and academics. Our 6 core competencies as well as the case study rubric will show you what kind of knowledge is required for certification. You can see an example of a narrative case study here. We do not require a formal degree in order to be Certified or Associate Certified."
Find a behavior consultant here
"There is no set path to becoming a behavior consultant. Our consultants have varying backgrounds in animal care and behavior, from veterinary behaviorists to vet techs, trainers and academics. Our 6 core competencies as well as the case study rubric will show you what kind of knowledge is required for certification. You can see an example of a narrative case study here. We do not require a formal degree in order to be Certified or Associate Certified."
Find a behavior consultant here
Association of Animal Behavior Professionals (AABP)
The Certification categories and AABP awarded designations awarded are:
The Certification categories and AABP awarded designations awarded are:
- AABP Certified Dog Trainer (AABP-CDT)
- AABP Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (AABP-CDBC)
- AABP Certified Parrot Behavior Consultant (AABP-CPBC)
- AABP Certified Cat Behavior Consultant (AABP-CCBC)
- AABP Certified Animal Behavior Consultant (AABP-CABC)
There are a number of additional associations and organizations out there to certify trainers, behaviorists and behavior consultants, but I tried to include some of the major players. Please contact me with additional info.