international positive dog training association

IPDTA Standards For Dog Trainer Certification

THE GOLD STANDARD FOR FORCE FREE DOG TRAINING

WORLD LEADING DOG TRAINER CERTIFICATION, COURSES & PROGRAMS

International Positive Dog Training Association Standards

​The definition of abuse is physical, emotional or psychological injury caused by mistreatment or the misuse of power associated with authority. It is a corrupt practice or custom, improper or excessive use or treatment.  It is a deceitful act, or communication that condemns or vilifies unjustly, intemperately and angrily and either intentional or unintentional.

Definition of Abuse

​IPDTA defines abuse in dog handling, training and/or behaviour modification as the use or misuse of any tool or technique created or used with intent or that unnecessarily causes; intimidation, distrust, stress, anxiety, fear, pain and/or injury and includes anything that causes unnecessary physical, psychological or emotional harm.  The term "necessary" only applies when it's necessary to handle a dog, keep it safe or save it from harm or the mild exposure to a stimulus necessary when applying desensitization or counter-conditioning programs.
THOSE WHO TRULY LOVE DOGS DO NOT WANT TO FRIGHTEN OR HURT THEM!
​IPDTA believes the following tools or techniques come with high risk of misuse, abuse and/or malfunction and as a result are not to be used by IPDTA members; choke chains, slip collars, pinch collars, shock equipment and spray training products. This also includes alpha rollovers or any other forms of physical pushing, punishing and/or intimidation or domination, hanging, kicking or hitting of any kind. It also includes any other tool or technique that causes intimidation, distrust, stress, anxiety, fear or pain for the dog or any tool or technique that causes physical, psychological or emotional harm.  Any tool or technique designed to be aversive in nature is not to be used by our members.
IPDTA BELIEVES THAT ANY USE OF INTIMIDATION, FEAR, PAIN, PUNISHMENT OR FORCE
IS UNACCEPTABLE IN DOG TRAINING, AND THAT PROFESSIONAL CERTIFIED DOG TRAINERS
​SHOULD ALWAYS EMPLOY POSITIVE DOG TRAINING PROTOCOLS.

Criteria For What Is And What Is Not Humane

BECAUSE FEW PEOPLE CAN MEET ALL OF THE CRITERIA BELOW
WE STAND FIRM THAT TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES DESIGNED TO
INTIMIDATE, SCARE OR HURT A DOG ARE UNACCEPTABLE.
IPDTA deems a tool or technique to be acceptable or unacceptable based on the risk of misuse, abuse and/or malfunction in the hands of the average dog handler. Because few handlers can meet the list of criteria for the humane use of aversives (below), we take a stand against aversives for our dog's physical, psychological and emotional wellbeing.
 
Criteria For The Humane Use Of Aversives
  • The dog must be taught the desired incompatible behaviour before the correction is administered.
  • The correction must be properly executed. 
 
This involves:
  • An accurate understanding of the proper application of the correction.
  • Experience with proper use of the correction.
  • An accurate understanding of the individual dog, its temperament and threshold.
  • An understanding of canine behaviour.
  • An understanding of canine communication and body language including; calming signals, deterrent behaviour, signs of stress, anxiety and fear.
  • Excellent timing
  • Excellent reflexes and coordination.
  • Awareness, sensitivity and compassion for the dog.
  • The severity of the correction must be suitable to the dog’s temperament, level of sensitivity and threshold.
  • The handler must deliver the correction with self-control and without emotion.​
For proven and positive dog training alternatives contact Norma Jeanne, creator of Canine
Correspondence Studies Professional Dog Trainer Certification Courses and Programs,
as well as Founder & Chair of the International Positive Dog Training Association.
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Prong/Pinch Collar Injury