I didn't know that dog trainers are regulated or had to be licensed in the united states. Are they licensed by the city, state or county? What kind of qualifications are required in order to become a licensed dog trainer?
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I didn't know that dog trainers are regulated or had to be licensed in the united states. Are they licensed by the city, state or county? What kind of qualifications are required in order to become a licensed dog trainer?
Here you go applesmom.. http://www.nk9dta.com/selecting_trainer.aspx It should answer most of your questions. This is one of several schools that once you are certified, you can then get licensed in your own state. Licensing requires you to also be bonded ( like a licensed electrician etc would be.) You can not be get a license without a certification of an accredited school. This also explains the difference from a certified trainer and and a licensed one. Neither would be fine but licensed means you are bonded, subject to state laws and reported to the Better Business Bureau etc.
Animal Behavior College is another one...which is slighlty more on the more convenient side....The first part is online, then you work in a shelter and with a mentor trainer for a few months.
Thats a good one too!Quote:
Originally Posted by Ceph
Thanks borzoimom but this site doesn't answer my questions about licensing at all. In fact it reinforces my beliefs that there are still no actual licensing regulations for dog trainers.Quote:
Originally Posted by borzoimom
The ABC is nothing more than an online course who does nothing to license their graduates other than send them a certificate of certification that they've completed the course. There is no hands on training whatsoever!Quote:
The NK9DTA does not set standards of skill or competence for members. Membership in the NK9DTA is open to all National K-9 School for Dog Trainers’ graduates who pay membership dues and are currently in good standing. The NK9DTA directory includes individuals with a wide range of experience, knowledge, and varied skill. There are currently no State laws that require a Dog Trainer to have any special license or education.
The only licensing involved there is the school itself is licensed according to state regulations--not the students.
What I'm looking for is information on the actual licensing of dog trainers and the organizations that provide that licensing and oversee the industry.Quote:
STATE LICENSURE and APPROVAL Animal Behavior College is a private vocational school approved under California Education Code Sections 94915 and Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations. This approval indicates that Animal Behavior College has been visited and reviewed pursuant to state standards, and that the curricula is consistent in quality with the curricula offered by traditional institutions.
MIne is from there in certification- then presented to the state as certification to license. I must also present " bonded" agreement. Also can be reported by the Better Business Bureau. I am not sure how it works in your state.
Some states do not license trainers. More frequently are those training Schzhound - not sure how your state works.
Also- keep in mind- even a "licensed electrician-" is NOT licensed in all states- just their own. And it starts with certication testing. Like my husband has his licenses in Va. And Md. That DOES NOT MEAN he is licensed to practice in other states. Same thing..
Quote:
Originally Posted by applesmom
Uh, I am actually in the ABC program now thank you very much....I think I know what they do. There is several hours of required hands on training, both with a mentor trainer and in a shelter. I think I would know!
Also, there are several organizations that I have found that you test to join also.
Yea there are several.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ceph
In my state I could put an ad in the paper and start teaching classes in my back yard or at a local park immediately. I might need a business license, but wouldn't be required to have a dog trainers license or provide any certification regarding my abilities or experience.
I'd love to know where to go to find a list of trainers that are actually licensed by their city, county or state. Not to run a business, but as licensed dog trainers. If there is such a thing it should be public information.
I agree - should be.. Contact your state BBB- maybe they have it. They have it here.Quote:
Originally Posted by applesmom
BTW applesmom- how many times on either site we visit - have you heard me mention my license??? NEVER.. I did so because I know the poster that was looking for a trainer, and on this site we can tell what state they are from- unlike the other site- that and only that.. And btw again- it worked what I told the poster too ( of course..lol).. Even a doctor has to get a license- in the state of practice. I would suspect the same way you find out if they are licensed in that state, is the same way you could find your licensed trainers in your state.
Ceph I'm sure you will learn a lot and enjoy every minute of your training.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ceph
But my question is about licensing!
Licensing is completely different than certification by a training agency or organization!
Again applesmom- these are the steps.Quote:
Originally Posted by borzoimom
yes, but the statement regarding no hands on training and just getting mailed a cert. in the mail was inncorrect. You made it sound like there was no work involved. I did make a mistake in interpreting what you were looking for.
I suppose some states require liscensing in dog training, but mine doesnt that I know of....I figure if they dont require it in Equine training which is far more dangerous and can have much worse outcomes they wouldnt require it for canine training...I could be wrong...it's something I'll look up.
I know ceph- she doesnt understand. Maybe its not required in her state. Also keep in mind- places like a "Recreation department" etc maynot require someone to be licensed to teach classes. Here its encouraged but not required. The lady that took my classes last fall when I was ill was certified but she didn't 'get a licensed". Still qualified to do it- she just did not have a license. I got a license because I am also bonded to protect me. I also carry an insurance rider as well. Paranoid- maybe- but considering most was training for protection etc- I wanted to be covered.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ceph
lol, that makes sense....It's why I am enrolled to take pet CPR :p
Where can you get licensed in Virginia? Is there an overall state licesning or just an area one.
Its not by area its by state. I will find out from you know who down there where she got hers and let you know. You are not that far from here, and that should help..Quote:
Originally Posted by Ceph
Borzoimom on the website you posted it clearly states,
If this information is wrong they need to correct it.Quote:
ANYONE can call himself or herself a dog trainer, so certification can be important.
There are currently NO STATE LAWS that require a Dog Trainer to have any special license or education.
They also clearly state:In other words, no matter the amount of competence or incompetence--all one has to do is keep their dues up and they're certified dog trainers.Quote:
The NK9DTA does NOT set standards of skill or competence for members. Membership in the NK9DTA is open to all National K-9 School for Dog Trainers’ graduates who pay membership dues and are currently in good standing.
I don't know what it's like in the United States but in Canada, anyone can call themselves a dog trainer. Heck, anyone can call themselves a "certified dog trainer".. just print out a certificate and there ya go!
I teach private and group classes. I've never been certified (though joining CAPPDT is on my to-do list).. everything I know is through hands-on experience and trial and error. I've mentored with behaviorists and trainers and have gone to seminars, but I've never been certified. :)
Alot of places do not require certification. I actually did it because I could get a license and a "bonded" . .. shoot- we had one lady teaching classes a few years ago- lolllllllllll.. I will leave the rest alone.
Ceph I didn't read enough of the site to see that they actually do offer hands on training since I was looking primarily for information on licensing. Please accept my apology!Quote:
Originally Posted by Ceph
lol so true, Happys breeder teaches training classes. know how many dogs she has personally trained with any success out of 20 or so dogs? 1. quite the feat eh? I know my mom asked about teaching classes at petcetera and they told her she needed to be certified. know how to get certified in Canada? go online pay some club 20 buck, they hand you a certificate and wala! your a certified trainer!Quote:
don't know what it's like in the United States but in Canada, anyone can call themselves a dog trainer. Heck, anyone can call themselves a "certified dog trainer".. just print out a certificate and there ya go!
Apology accepted...thank you :)Quote:
Originally Posted by applesmom
Good point- know your schools- ... lol.. Just like the CKC ( not canada) will hand you a registration on a mutt- its not worth the paper its printed on.. lol.. If you really need a licensed trainer- know what school you are checking out...Quote:
Originally Posted by cali
borzoimom perhaps we're mis-communicating here. It sounds like what you have is a business license to practice dog training. That's not the information I'm looking for.Quote:
Originally Posted by borzoimom
When I see an ad that says "licensed" dog trainer I visualize an organization or city, county or state agency that oversees ALL dog trainers in that specific area. One that has set rules, guidlines, qualifications and testing for licensing. As far as I can see the industry isn't truly monitored by anyone and "licensed" simply means the individual or company might have a business license.
Obviously we are miscommunicating. Not sure about your state, but here its only a accrediate school they will accept for a license. Alot of licences are harder to get in the state of Virginia. I have no idea about your state. Mine is a certification from a great school- at the time it was a longer course- and even the acceptance into the school was quite an honor. Obviously your state is different..Even licensed electricians, HVAC, builders etc do not have an " organization.."Quote:
Originally Posted by applesmom
Yes they do have an organization that oversees their activities. It's called the registrar of contractors.Quote:
Obviously your state is different..Even licensed electricians, HVAC, builders etc do not have an " organization.."
We're not getting anywhere with this one. There is not one place on the internet that invalidates the statement from the website you originally posted.
What you are describing that you have is a business license. That isn't what I'm looking for. I'm looking for laws that license and regulate dog trainers, monitor their activities and guarantee some sort of standards and professionalism.Quote:
There are currently NO State laws that require a Dog Trainer to have any special license or education.
Currently they don't exist anywhere in the United States.
Its not a business license.. You do not get it what we are saying.. its a certification obviously NOT done in your state. Remind me not to take dog classes there. ..Quote:
Originally Posted by applesmom
Applesnon,
There is no blanket org that oversees or for that matter requires you to have a certain amount of experience or success. There is no state, or county or government agency that sets even minimum standards.
There are several places that you can be certified, and all it means is you passed basic knowledge and have recieved in most cases, some hands on work with dogs.
I know several trainers, that have this certification and I wouldn't trust them to teach a dead dog to lie down.
I know several people that have no certification, that I would happily hand over my animal to.
That being said, if you think there should be an org. I will support any efforts you want to make and help anyway I can. As there should be some place to be able to look up a persons abilities and sucess or failures, and also a place to keep accurate info.
Kym
I agree- that is why I would not touch a licensed trainer that was not recorded with the better business bureau. That makes a traceable record..Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr.Goodnow
I get it! Certification and license are two completely different things. I could become a "certified" dog trainer in Arizona if I chose to. I CAN'T become licensed because licensing for dog trainers isn't in existence anywhere in the united states.Quote:
Its not a business license.. You do not get it what we are saying.. its a certification obviously NOT done in your state. Remind me not to take dog classes there. ..
That's my concern!
I am listed with the BBB for my rescue, for training, for Service animals, for my small shop, for the soaps that Jasper makes, and also for several other endeveours. BBB simply keeps track of complaints.
It doesnt regulate any of my endevours.
Exactly! And you are listed with the BBB but NOT licensed by them.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr.Goodnow
ONE MORE TIME- by being licensed- that means you are certified by a accrediated school, and carry a license as a way of recording. Just like a doctor- you can have a medical degree- but that doesnt mean you are licensed. You have no recordable record without a license. The license records complaints etc. WITHOUT A LICENSE- a doctor even can practice- but you accept the outcome. We also see this in the news all the time as well. Its a recording method of certifacation.Quote:
Originally Posted by applesmom
Do you have a certification as a dog trainer??? Its not a business- its traceable by certifacations.Quote:
Originally Posted by applesmom
Quote:
Originally Posted by applesmom
Exactly, I am licensed to conduct these businesses, in my state and my town and my county. A few of them do have national orgs that we have to re test ever yr or so to prove we are keeping up with new info and practices.
But the BBB is like a D&B number. BFD. I have several of those too. Doesn't mean my soap is any better than Jack Jones on Main St. Means if you don't like it or my attitude or it's lather you may file a complaint, BBB will ask me to behave and play nice, If I do I get a cookie and no black mark if I don't them I get a black mark for running with scissors. :p
Quote:
Originally Posted by borzoimom
Shelly, you know I am a certified trainer, and a certified Service animal trainer. What guarantee is that? For all anyone knows I beat my dogs with carrots when no one is looking.
lol, I am sorry, but that's sort of an odd mental picture....why carrots might I ask? Wouldnt something more menacing be more appropriate?Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr.Goodnow
ROFL.. true.. But you did take the certification- the license just makes reports as traceable.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr.Goodnow
They hate carrotsQuote:
Originally Posted by Ceph
I never knew...lol, thanks...thats another thing to file in the good to know category. Thanks.