The Pet Professional Guild promotes the use of positive operant and respondent training methods, both personally and professionally, and holds that all training should be conducted to encourage pets to enjoy the process, which will, in turn, lead them to become more confident and well-adjusted pets. Members of the Pet Professional Guild optimize applied behavior analysis to systematically identify and…

The AKC Canine Good Citizen program provides a solid foundation of behavioral training for your dog. As a certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, Tina Marie can help you and your dog be the best you can be–together. What is the Canine Good Citizen Program? The Canine Good Citizen program was formally introduced by the American Kennel Club in 1989. Since its…

Trick training not only provides physical and mental challenges for the dog; it also provides a rewarding experience for you, the owner, and encourages a relationship based on clear communication and positive reinforcement training methods. Teaching dog tricks puts into play the foundational concepts and techniques of animal training: operant conditioning, marker training, consistency, timing, and motivation. In teaching tricks,…

Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA®) measures a broad range of knowledge and skills in ethology, learning theory, dog training technique, and instruction. CPDT-KA® indicates that a dog trainer has passed a comprehensive exam and has at least 300 hours of dog training experience. CCPDT requires trainers to recertify every 3 years. To do so, a trainer must accrue 36…

This University of Washington Applied Animal Behavior (UW-AAB) certificate program studies the different principles of animal behavior and applies this knowledge to animal care. Behavioral differences between animal species are examined along with how these reflect their evolution and habitat adaptation. The goal of the program is to provide better care for animals — particularly companion animals — and diagnose…

Fear Free has become one of the most transformative initiatives in the history of companion animal practice, providing unparalleled education on emotional well-being, enrichment, and the reduction of fear, anxiety, and stress in pets and improving the experience of every human and pet involved.

The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy is designed to get dog owners and their puppies off to a good start. The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program is an incentive program for loving dog owners who have taken the time to take their puppies through a basic training class. Training classes teach you how to best communicate with your puppy and allow your dog…

This certification from the Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure and Massage (RMSAAM) includes instruction in advanced massage techniques and topics, including massage for the canine athlete. Sports massages are not just for the hard-core dog agility world but can be applied to all active and sporting dogs.