Become a Member
Why become a member of the APDT?
Full Membership with the APDT C.I.C. provides professional recognition for dog training instructors who have demonstrated the knowledge, understanding and practical skills required through our assessment process.
Join the UK’s largest assessed membership organisation for dog training instructors and become part of a supportive professional community committed to kind, fair and effective training.
Members can connect with supportive peers and access low-cost and free webinars, many of which can contribute towards annual continuing professional development (CPD).
Benefits of becoming a Member
Full Membership offers professional recognition, continued learning, practical resources and opportunities to connect with and contribute to the APDT community.
Professional recognition
Demonstrate that your knowledge and practical skills have been assessed and that you agree to follow APDT’s Code of Practice, supported by an established complaints procedure.
Community and Support
Join the UK’s oldest non-profit membership organisation for dog training instructors and become part of a supportive, people-focused professional community.
Learning & Development
Access low-cost and free webinars and practical skills education, with opportunities to support your continuing professional development and connect with fellow members.
Resources & Opportunities
Access members-only resources to support you and your business, and use the APDT logo and your membership number in accordance with APDT’s membership requirements.
Contribute to APDT
Keep up to date through member communications and contribute your knowledge, experience and ideas to APDT’s future and its wider work within the dog training industry.
How to become a Full Member
APDT Full Members have demonstrated the Knowledge, Understanding and Practical Skills required of a dog training instructor. They are committed to using kind, fair and effective training methods when teaching dogs and supporting their owners.
All members agree to work in accordance with APDT’s binding Code of Practice, which prohibits the use of aversive or outdated training methods. APDT’s Code of Practice adheres to the ABTC Code of Practice, providing reassurance that members are committed to appropriate professional and ethical standards.
To be invited to become a Full Member of APDT, applicants must meet APDT’s Knowledge and Understanding and Practical Skills requirements.
There are three routes through which applicants may demonstrate the Knowledge and Understanding required of a dog training instructor:
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APEL Assessment
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Evidence of completing an ABTC-recognised course
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Current ABTC-ATI registration through another organisation
The Full Membership process may also include:
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Oral Review
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Practical Skills Assessment
Your route to Full Membership
The route to Full Membership depends on how you have already demonstrated the Knowledge and Understanding required of an Animal Training Instructor.The pathway below shows APDT’s standard assessment journey. If you have completed an eligible ABTC-recognised course or are already assessed or registered as an ATI through another organisation, please see the alternative routes below.
Knowledge & Understanding
Complete APDT’s written theory assessment to demonstrate the Knowledge and Understanding required of a dog training instructor, followed by an online Oral Review to discuss your submission.
Practical Skills Assessment
Complete APDT’s Practical Skills Assessment to demonstrate the dog training and teaching skills required of a dog training instructor, followed by an Oral Review to discuss your practical assessment.
Assessment Outcome
Following completion of both assessment stages, you will receive your assessment outcome, together with feedback and information about any further actions or next steps required.
Full Membership
Applicants who successfully meet APDT’s assessment requirements will be invited to become Full Members and join a supportive professional community committed to kind, fair and effective training.
Have you already completed an ATI course or assessment?
If you have completed an accepted ATI assessment or are currently registered as an Animal Training Instructor through another ABTC Practitioner Organisation, you may be eligible for APDT’s membership review route. Please contact the assessment team before making a payment so that your eligibility and the requirements that apply to you can be confirmed.
Completed an eligible ABTC-recognised course?
If you have completed an eligible ABTC-recognised Animal Training Instructor course, you may already meet the required Knowledge and Understanding criteria. Please contact the APDT assessment team before making a payment so that your evidence can be reviewed and your next assessment stage confirmed.
Already assessed or registered as an ATI?
If you have completed an accepted ATI assessment or are currently registered through another ABTC Practitioner Organisation, you may be eligible for APDT’s membership review route. Please contact the APDT assessment team before making a payment so that your eligibility and any further requirements can be confirmed.
Preparing for your assessment
Find out whether you are ready to apply and what to expect from each stage of APDT’s assessment process.
Can you answer “yes” to all of the following questions?
Knowledge and Understanding
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Do I understand learning theory?
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Do I understand and agree to follow the APDT Code of Practice?
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Do I understand the importance of providing appropriate pre-course information?
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Do I understand how class layouts may need to change depending on the dogs, activities and individual needs?
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Do I understand the need for different types of equipment, and can I use them appropriately during a class?
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Do I understand what motivates individual dogs and owners, and can I apply this appropriately?
Planning and teaching
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Can I plan, create and adapt a class plan to accommodate different learning needs and the varying abilities of dogs and owners?
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Can I teach a range of skills using a variety of kind, fair and effective methods?
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Can I explain and demonstrate exercises clearly and in ways that are easily understood?
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Can I adapt my lesson plan to meet the individual needs of dogs and owners?
Supporting dogs and owners
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Can I communicate effectively with owners in both group and individual settings?
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Can I recognise and respond appropriately to signs of stress in dogs and owners?
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Can I help an individual dog-and-owner partnership without losing engagement with the rest of the class?
Practical Skills - £275
Eligible applicants will receive information about available assessment dates and locations when they are ready to progress to the Practical Skills Assessment.
Assessment fees and next steps
Assessment fees depend on the route and stages you are required to complete. Please review the information below and contact the APDT assessment team if you are unsure which option applies to you.
Knowledge and Understanding - £125
The fee includes APDT’s written Knowledge and Understanding assessment, feedback on your submission and the associated online Oral Review. Assessment documents and submission guidance will be provided following payment. You will have three months from the date of purchase to submit your completed assessment.
APDT, ABTC and professional standards
APDT is both a Practitioner Organisation and an Assessing Organisation with the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC). APDT assesses applicants against the ABTC Animal Training Instructor (ATI) role standards, covering the Knowledge and Understanding and Practical Skills required of a dog training instructor.
APDT Full Members who meet the relevant requirements are eligible to apply for inclusion on the ABTC Animal Training Instructor Register, providing further recognition that they have been assessed against agreed professional standards.
As a founder member of ABTC, APDT continues to contribute to the development and implementation of standards that support kind, fair and effective, evidence-led approaches to animal training and welfare.
OUR Membership Assessors
Denise Armstrong
MAPDT 01215
I’m an avid fan of supporting new trainers and love that assessing allows me to be part of this process.
Dog Trainer since
2000
APDT Member since
2012
Assessor since
2019
Website
Jess Blount
MAPDT 01217
Dog Trainer since
2014
APDT Member since
2014
Assessor since
2017
Website
None
Roxy Davies
MAPDT 01498
I’m a passionate dog trainer & behaviourist, advocate for animal welfare & support others in building fulfilling careers.
Dog Trainer since
2006
APDT Member since
2021
Assessor since
2023
Website
Adam Daines
MAPDT 01220
I’m constantly striving to provide up-to-date, kind, effective dog training and behavioural solutions.
Dog Trainer since
2009
APDT Member since
2016
Assessor since
2021
Website
Gary Mathlin
MAPDT 01398
Previous university lecturer, dog sports trainer, teaching 14 classes a week.
Dog Trainer since
2011
APDT Member since
2018
Assessor since
2022
Website
Joanne Hinds
MAPDT 01095
I’m a passionate dog trainer and behaviourist supporting owners and other trainers in the field.
Dog Trainer since
1998
APDT Member since
2011
Assessor since
2018
Jenny Mee
MAPDT 01262
Previous lecturer and pet dog trainer, now training assistance dogs.
Dog Trainer since
2009
APDT Member since
2014
Assessor since
2019
Website
None
Susan O'Hare
MAPDT 01196
I run pet dog training classes alongside my career as a Registered Veterinary Nurse for a charity.
Dog Trainer since
2008
APDT Member since
2014
Assessor since
2023
Website
None
Margaret Pennington
MAPDT 00298
I am semi retired and just do pet classes and agility.
Dog Trainer since
1984
APDT Member since
1998
Assessor since
2020
Website
Helen Roberts
MAPDT 00285
My aim as an assessor is to help the candidate in any way I can.
Dog Trainer since
1994
APDT Member since
1997
Assessor since
2009
Website
Jane Robinson
MAPDT 01194
I’m one of the former Chairs of the APDT and enjoy the rich variety of new members coming through.
Dog Trainer since
2010
APDT Member since
2014
Assessor since
2018
Website
Pam Rowley
MAPDT 00278
A dog groomer and trainer with a passion for rescue dogs and a love of working trials.
Dog Trainer since
1994
APDT Member since
2002
Assessor since
2018
Website
Kaye Scott
MAPDT 00607
I am a dog trainer who loves helping guardians build an enriched relationship with their dogs.
Dog Trainer since
1994
APDT Member since
2002
Assessor since
2011
Website
Michelle Taylor
MAPDT 00974
I am the former Head of Assessments and worked hard to ensure the process is kind, fair and effective.
Dog Trainer since
1995
APDT Member since
2006
Assessor since
2020
Website
None
Wendy Shuffle-Botham
MAPDT 00760
I'm passionate about educating dog owners and mentoring aspiring dog trainers for the past 10 years.
Dog Trainer since
2003
APDT Member since
2003
Assessor since
2022
Website
Peneran Higgs
MAPDT 01062
I am a CAB working on vet referral throughout London, as well as a trainer with Puppy School.
Dog Trainer since
2007
APDT Member since
2007
Assessor since
2019
Website
Rachel Welch
MAPDT 01326
My day job is in Training and Development for a large dog charity, working with new dog trainers in the industry.
Dog Trainer since
2010
APDT Member since
2013
Assessor since
2023
Website
Kerry Mills
MAPDT 1029
I strive to provide up to date kind training and have a keen interest in Puppy and Gundog training, pain and its link to behaviour.
Dog Trainer since
1997
APDT Member since
2007
Assessor since
2022
Website
Pet Behaviour Company
Kirsty MacQueen
MAPDT 1229
Passionate about human-dog relationships and the power of play, with a special interest in Animal Assisted Interventions.
Dog Trainer since
2009
APDT Member since
2012
Assessor since
2022
Website
Pet Behaviour Company