Finding a Good Dog Trainer
by Colleen Pelar, CPDT, CDBC
www.livingwithkidsanddogs.com

The best dog trainers are as good with people as they are with dogs. (A few trainers forget the human side of the equation.)


The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) maintains a database that you can search to find a trainer in your area: www.apdt.com. APDT promotes dog-friendly training methods and continuing education, but not all members are equally dog friendly so be sure to interview a trainer before hiring.


Certified Pet Dog Trainers (CPDTs) have over 300 hours of training experience and have passed a nationally administered exam. The exam's five content areas include learning theory, instruction skills, husbandry, ethology, and equipment. You can find a trainer with a CPDT title at the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers website: www.ccpdt.com. CPDTs are required to earn continuing education credits to maintain their certification.


The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants is a professional association for the field of animal behavior consulting and facilitates research, theory development, and education. To find a certified or associate member, go to www.iaabc.org.


Talk to the trainer about his or her training techniques. If the trainer offers group classes, ask if you can come observe a lesson to see if the teaching style is a good fit for your family. Make certain that the trainer understands that you want your dog to be a full member of a family that includes children.

Colleen Pelar, CPDT, CDBC, author of Living with Kids and Dogs . . . Without Losing Your Mind, is America’s Kids and Canines Coach. Colleen has more than 15 years’ experience as the go-to person for parents trying to navigate kid-and-dog issues. Because every interaction between a child and a dog can be improved by a knowledgeable adult, Colleen is committed to educating parents, children, and dog owners on kid-and-dog relationships. For more information visit www.livingwithkidsanddogs.com.