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Find a Trainer
This page is about finding trainers for competition events, obedience training and behaviour problems. While there are many excellent individuals who can assist, it is important to know who to trust - especially when seeking help with behavioural issues.
The wrong advice can ruin lives, so finding a trainer for your dog
is as important as choosing a doctor for your family.
What should you look for?
The ideal trainer will have expertise in the area you need, be it competition events, fun activities, general obedience or helping with behaviour problems.
Ask them if they have accreditation or qualifications, and also what experience they have in running classes and teaching others. Some trainers have extensive experience participating in events, but no qualifications or experience teaching others.
Ask them about which methods they use. Some trainers promote rewards for teaching obedience, but then recommend punishment to fix behaviour problems. Always avoid trainers who use punishment or aversives in training, and instead choose one that recommends 100% positive methods.
Ask for references from past clients, or to visit one of their classes or training sessions. Look for a trainer who offers small class sizes and programs that match your needs, rather than a one-size-fits all approach. Puppies and adult dogs have different needs, as do novice, intermediate and advanced owners.
Click here for APDT's recommendations on How to Choose a Trainer too.
Just looking for fun activities?
If you'd like to join in events like obedience or agility trials, then contact one of the groups below:
Not all individuals offer consistent or correct information about dog training though, so be sure to ask questions before accepting advice.
Looking for an obedience trainer?
To teach your dog appropriate behaviours around the house, to Come reliably when called, or to solve everday problems such as pulling on lead, find an instructor who holds qualifications in running dog obedience classes:
As always, be sure to check out any trainer carefully before deciding to attend their class.
Need help with a behaviour problem?
Qualifications are especially important when seeking help for a behaviour problem. Examples of problems that need more expert help include:
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Anxiety or
depression
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Aggression of
any kind
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Chronic barking
or howling
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Mouthing
or nipping
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Any time safety
is a concern
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Chronic
destruction
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Phobias
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Biting
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Shyness
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Where training has not
reduced the problem
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Hyperactivity &
wild behaviour
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Any time injury
has occurred
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Not everyone is equipped to deal with such problems, so find someone who holds appropriate qualifications and is willing to refer you to others for further help when needed. Individuals who can help include:
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Veterinarians, who can check that illness or injury is not contributing to the behaviour problem.
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Accredited instructors such as Delta CGC Instructors, who can assess whether the problem can be helped with training, or whether referral to a behaviourist is needed.
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Animal behaviourists who hold tertiary or higher qualifications in the field of animal behaviour, and can assess and recommend strategies for dealing with unwanted behaviour.
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Veterinary behaviourists who also hold tertiary or higher qualifications in both the fields of vet science and animal behaviour, and can assess and recommend strategies or medications for dealing with dog behaviour.
These individuals are there to help and will offer you ongoing guidance and support until the problem is resolved, so if the issue is ongoing or training has not reduced it, call in extra help.
Qualifications and titles
Some commonly used titles in the dog training industry are described below:
Animal Trainer
May have no formal qualifications, but may have extensive experience with their own dogs and with assisting others. Some animal trainers hold formal qualifications such as the Certificate III award in Dog Behaviour and Training.
Example: some trainers at weekend dog clubs.
Not all animal trainers use positive, dog-friendly methods, and some may rely on aversive methods or punishment to change behaviour, or use a mix of rewards and correction in training.
NDTF Certificate III in Dog Behaviour and Training
Offered by the National Dog Trainers Federation, the Certificate III qualification is nationally recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework.
Example: NDTF Cert III graduates are owners interested in improving their knowledge about dog behaviour, or professionals looking to improve knowledge in their current area of work with dogs.
Graduates may choose to promote any training method, including eclusively positive methods, or methods based on averisves and punishment, or a mix of both.
Delta Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services
Offered by Delta Society Australia, the Certificate IV qualification is nationally recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework.
Example: Delta Cert IV graduates are professional behavioural trainers accredited in puppy & adult class instruction and private behaviour consults.
Although the Delta Cert IV promotes the exclusive use of positive reward-based training methods, graduates may choose to promote any training method, including methods based on aversives and punishment, or a mix of positive and punitive methods.
Delta Professional Dog Trainers Association (DPDTA) Members
Delta Cert IV graduates may choose to join the DPDTA which then requires:
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Members must remain current with their knowledge, and update skills at least every 3 years
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Members must use and promote only positive reward-based, best-practice training methods, in accordance with the DPDTA Code of Ethics.
Example: All instructors listed on the Delta Society web site are Delta Accredited CGCTM Instructors and DPDTA members, and so use only positive, best-practice training methods.
The Delta Society web site lists DPDTA members by state and region.
Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) Members
APDT Australia is a membership-based forum for dog trainers, or anyone involved with dogs. Qualifications are not required to join APDT, however members must abide by the APDT Code of Ethics which requires the use and promotion of only humane, dog-friendly training techniques.
Example: The APDT web site provides a Trainers Directory that lists members by name, specialty and location.
Animal Behaviourist
The term animal behaviourist is not regulated, so any trainer could call themselves an animal behaviourist, or simply a behaviourist. However, the term is most commonly used in reference to individuals who hold tertiary qualifications (e.g. diploma, masters, doctorate) in animal behaviour.
Example: Professional behavioural consultants accredited to diagnose behaviour problems and design behaviour modification programmes.
Animal behaviourists are not veterinarians, so cannot prescribe drug therapies.
Veterinary Behaviourist
Only individuals who are qualified veterinarians and have also undertaken post-graduate studies and examination in Veterinary Behaviour may use the title veterinary behaviourist.
Example: Animal care professionals skilled in identifying the cause of behaviour problems, and developing treatment plans, including plans that involve the use of therapeutic drugs.
To locate a veterinary behaviourist in your area, consult your regular veterinarian who will then provide you with a referral, or visit the Delta Society Australia web site for a list of Veterinary Behaviorists around Australia.
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