About
the Association of Pet Dog Trainers
The Association of Pet Dog Trainers
(APDT) is a professional organization of individual trainers who are
committed to becoming better trainers through education. The APDT offers
individual pet dog trainers a respected and concerted voice in the dog
world. We continue to promote professional trainers to the veterinary
profession and to increase public awareness of dog friendly training
techniques.
VISION
STATEMENT
All dogs are effectively trained through dog-friendly techniques and
therefore are lifelong companions in a relationship based on mutual trust
and respect.
MISSION
STATEMENT
The mission of the APDT is to enhance the human-dog relationship by
educating trainers, other animal professionals and the public and advocating
dog-friendly training.
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Information about Certified Pet Dog Trainers
(CPDT)
This press release does a good job of explaining what that
CPDT after our names means.
Contact: Teri Mercatante,
203-847-9114 or
merctt@aol.com
Local Dog Trainers Earn First National
Pet Dog Trainer Certification in History
BOLTON, MA – Local Dog Trainers
Valentina Petrone and Luis Avery of BOLTON, MA have earned Level I
certification through the Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers (CCPDT),
the first national certification for dog trainers in history.
Up until the creation of the
Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers in 2001, there was no true
certification process for dog trainers. Many schools teach dog trainers and
offer certification for their specific programs. These certificates,
therefore, reflect the teachings and quality of a specific school. Other
organizations offer take-home tests for “certification”. The trainers are
not monitored to make sure they are completing the test without any
assistance or collaboration, nor is the testing process standardized.
The Certification Council for Pet Dog
Trainers is a true certification entity pursuing accreditation from NCOA,
the National Organization for Competency Assurance. The Council
administered its first test September 28, 2001 during the Association of Pet
Dog Trainers (APDT) Annual Educational Conference in Ellenville, NY. The
test site was professionally secured and moderated by
Professional Testing Corporation of New York.
This unprecedented process was
originally implemented by the APDT, the largest association of dog trainers
in the world, founded by noted veterinarian, behaviorist and author Dr. Ian
Dunbar. Early on, the APDT recognized the need for certification for its
profession. Pet Dog Trainers needed a credible means of measuring their
knowledge and skills and the dog-owning public needed a credible barometer
for choosing a trainer. A task force of approximately 20 nationally known
dog training professionals and behaviorists, worked for three years to
research and develop the comprehensive written examination. The APDT also
hired Professional Testing Corporation to ensure the process met
professional testing standards. It then created a separate, independent
council – the Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers – to manage the
accreditation and pursue future development.
Candidates who pass the exam will earn
the title Certified Pet Dog Trainer and may use the designation, “CPDT”,
after their names. As creators of the examination, the task force members
have also earned the use of the CPDT designation. All certified trainers
must earn continuing education credits to keep their designations, or take
the examination again in three years. With the inception of this
certification, there are now 136 Certified Pet Dog Trainers in the United
States and Canada.
Ms. Petrone and Mr. Avery own and
operate It’s a Dog’s Life, Inc. in Bolton, MA where they offer training
classes in obedience and agility, private lessons and behavioral
consultations, boarding, grooming and daycare.
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