“How do I train my dog to stop doing ……..” is a common question asked at second vaccination time. This is often answered with a big pause!
Some vets have never even owned a dog, let alone a puppy. There aren’t really lessons on dog training at vet school. Thankfully, they are trying to include behaviour in a lot more of the Vet courses these days, as it’s so relevant to handling.
How to find a good dog trainer
As a Veterinary professional, I would like puppies to enrol in a training class that educates the owners on puppy socialisation and teaches social skills such as not to jump up, not to pull on the lead, and not to counter surf! We also want puppies to learn how to have good food manners, be able to sit or lie down, stay and come back when called. I would also like them to cover handling skills. I want to see confident puppies return for their annual vaccinations so the class needs to be taught using positive training methods.
To be confident in recommending a good dog training class, I need to be able to go to a trainer who is registered with a long-standing professional organisation, with members that practice modern and ethical dog training methods. I don’t have time to visit all of the local trainers and sit in on their sessions; how can I be sure they’re not simply putting on a show for the class I’m watching?
This is why I choose to refer clients to members of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.
When recommending clients to an APDT member, I can be certain that the trainer has undergone a rigorous assessment of both theoretical and practical knowledge. All APDT members employ positive and ethical approaches that are also effective, educate both the owners and the dog, and adhere to a rigid code of practice. All full members must keep current with annual continuous professional development, and I can be sure that my customers and their dogs are receiving the most up-to-date training advice.
It’s also worth noting that the APDT is also a founding member of the Animal Behaviour and Training Council and The UK Dog Behaviour and Training Charter. This gives me confidence that APDT themselves is signed up to a code of ethics and professionalism and is leading the way for dog training in the 21st century.
Wendy J Cummins MCFBA MAPDT 01414
NCert(AnBeh) DipAVN(Surgical)DipAVN(Medical)RVN
Veterinary Nurse and Clinical Behaviourist
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