Effective, humane trainers think critically about their techniques and equipment. This book aims to provide them with guidance as they do so. It is a reference source designed to aid trainers in assessing and improving their practices.
Each section of Professional Standards for Dog Trainers: Effective, Humane Principles begins by describing core principles that trainers should strive to implement. The description is followed by a boxed sets of standards - testable guidelines - against which trainers can compare their conduct.
The standards presented here apply to trainers, who work directly with dogs, and to instructors, who teach people how to train their own dogs. For the sake of simplicity, the book generally mentions only trainers, but both types of professionals are intended. (All terms in bold italics are defined in the Glossary.)
Section 3, Equipment and Its Use, includes comparison tables that can help trainers make informed equipment choices. The sections on Business Practices and Instructor Skills conclude with the mention of additional practices that are recommended but are not essential to being an effective, humane trainer.
This book was inspired by a commitment to ensure that dogs in training are treated with respect and dignity. The standards are intended to aid the profession, the public, and the legal system in evaluating specific training practices.
Sections:
- Mission and Ethics - Conduct of a professional trainer.
- How Dogs Learn - Learning theory and canine behavior.
- Equipment and Its Use - Selecting and using training equipment.
- Business Practices - Creating a safe, comfortable learning environment.
- Instructor Skills - Competence at teaching and communication.
Important Note:
These standards are not intended to apply to situations in which a trainer acts in self-defense or to prevent imminent, serious injury to other people or animals.
