Webster’s defines certification as
“The act of making something official; official approval to do something
professionally or legally.”
Just as there is no
universally agreed upon method of training a dog, there is no universally
recognized certification for dog trainers.
Dog training is a self-regulating industry, with various
organizations offering their own certifications. Some of the certifications
offered by these organizations are:
ABMA: Member of Animal Behavior Management Alliance
ACAAB: Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist by The Animal Behavior Society
ACDBC: Associate Certified Dog Behavior Consultant by the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
AHT: Animal Health Technology program.
AKC CGC: American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
ANWI: Associate Nose Work Instructor through National Association of Canine Scent Work
AS-ES: Certification from the Equine Science Society.
BCBA - Board Certified Behavior Analyst from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board
CAAB: Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist by The Animal Behavior Society
CABC: Certified Animal Behavior Consultant through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
CATT: Certified American Treibball Trainer from the American Treibball Association
CBATI: Certified Behavior Adjustment Training Instructor by Grisha Stewart
CCAB: Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviorist through the Association for the Study of Animal Behavior
CCDT: CATCH Certified Dog Trainer through the CATCH Canine Trainers Academy
CDBA: Certified Dog Behavior Advisor by Canine Dimensions
CDBC: Certified Dog Behavior Consultant by the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
CDT: Certified Dog Trainer through the International Association of Canine Professionals
Cert AAH: Applied Animal Herbalism Certificate from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
Cert ACN: Advanced Canine Nutrition Certificate from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
Cert CBST: Canine Behavior Sciences and Technology Certificate from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
Cert CF: Canine Fitness Certificate from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
Cert CN: Canine Nutrition Certificate from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
Cert DDC: Dog Daycare Certificate from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
Cert DT: Dog Training Certificate from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
Cert PDTST: Professional Dog Training Science and Technology Certificate from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
Cert SRW: Shelter and Rescue Work Certificate from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
CFI 1&2: Certified Freestyle Instructor from the Canine Freestyle Federation.
CNWI: Certified Nose Work Instructor through National Association of Canine Scent Work
CPDT-KA: Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed through Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers
CPDT-KSA: Certified Pet Dog Trainer – Knowledge and Skills assessed through Certification Council for Dog Trainers
CTBC: Certified Training and Behavior Consultant from the Dog Training Internship Academy
CTC: Certificate in Training and Counseling through San Francisco SPCA Dog Training Academy
CTDI: Certified Trick Dog Instructor from Do More With Your Dog!
CVT: Certified Veterinary Technician – Information on credentialing available at the NAVTA site
DACVB: Diplomate American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
DVM: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from an accredited college or university
DWA: Dog Tec Dog Walking Academy Graduate
KPA CTP: Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner through the Karen Pryor Academy
LBT: Licensed Behavior Therapist by Barkbusters
MPH: Masters of Public Health from an accredited college or university
MRCVS: Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (United Kingdom)
NADOI: Endorsed by National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors
OSCT: Operation Socialization Certified Trainer
SCA: SAFER Certified Assessor (ASPCA)
VSPDT: Victoria Stillwell Positively Dog Trainer
On its website, the Association of Professional Dog Trainers advises, "One should realize that a “certificate” from a particular training school is simply that: A certificate for completing one of the numerous training courses available. If you choose to attend a “dog training school,” do your homework. Investigate the program and how it fits with your needs.
