international positive dog training association
IPDTA Charter & Constitution
The International Positive Dog Training Association (IPDTA) Charter & Constitution defines the association's purpose, guiding principles, professional standards and Code of Conduct. These documents establish the ethical expectations for IPDTA members and reflect our commitment to humane, science-based, force-free dog training throughout the world.
Mandate
The International Positive Dog Training Association (IPDTA) is an international professional association committed to advancing humane, science-based, force-free dog training through education, ethical practice and professional standards, and by educating themselves about;
- Tools and techniques for creating and changing canine behaviour to ensure that a dog’s learning experience is effective and pleasant
- Fair and realistic expectations in canine companionship and training
- A dog’s physical, emotional and psychological well-being and basic needs
- Creating a strong human/canine trust bond based on mutual trust and respect
Vision Statement
To create a world where every dog is trained with compassion, respect and science-based, force-free methods, and where humane dog training is recognized as the international standard of excellence.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to educate dog professionals and guardians worldwide by promoting humane, science-based, force-free training, encouraging lifelong learning, and strengthening the relationship between dogs and the people who care for them.
IPDTA Standards
IPDTA and its members stand against abuse in the name of dog training and behaviour modification through personal example, research and education. Being a positive dog trainer is not just what we do, it’s who we are. Because our members’ behaviour directly reflects our association, and people who use our webpage to find a trainer expect a positive dog trainer, IPDTA members are required to live up to a Code of Conduct that demonstrates our positive beliefs with both dogs and their guardians.
Code Of Conduct
The International Positive Dog Training Association (IPDTA) is committed to promoting humane, compassionate, science-based, force-free dog training and the highest standards of professional conduct. All IPDTA members are expected to uphold the following Code of Conduct.
Respect & Professional Conduct
IPDTA members must treat all living beings with respect, compassion and dignity, whether animal or human.
Members must conduct themselves professionally and respectfully in all interactions, including interactions with clients, colleagues, other dog trainers, IPDTA members and members of the public.
IPDTA members must refrain from personal attacks, harassment, bullying, intimidation or disparaging remarks, including attacks directed toward other members, dog trainers, organizations or members of the public.
All IPDTA interactions should be constructive and supportive in nature, whether sharing information, supporting and assisting others or educating clients and colleagues.
Members must conduct themselves professionally and respectfully in all interactions, including interactions with clients, colleagues, other dog trainers, IPDTA members and members of the public.
IPDTA members must refrain from personal attacks, harassment, bullying, intimidation or disparaging remarks, including attacks directed toward other members, dog trainers, organizations or members of the public.
All IPDTA interactions should be constructive and supportive in nature, whether sharing information, supporting and assisting others or educating clients and colleagues.
Humane & Force-Free Training
IPDTA members must conduct all training, behaviour modification and interactions between animals and people using methods and principles consistent with IPDTA's commitment to humane, positive, science-based, force-free training.
Any tool or technique designed to cause pain, intimidation, fear or distress to a dog is prohibited.
This requirement applies not only to the IPDTA member personally, but also to anyone training at the member's facility or conducting training in any capacity under the member's business name.
Any tool or technique designed to cause pain, intimidation, fear or distress to a dog is prohibited.
This requirement applies not only to the IPDTA member personally, but also to anyone training at the member's facility or conducting training in any capacity under the member's business name.
Tools & Techniques
If a tool or technique causes fear, pain, distress or increased anxiety in a dog, the trainer must immediately discontinue its use and investigate appropriate positive alternatives.
IPDTA recognizes that working with fearful, reactive or highly distressed dogs may sometimes result in unavoidable temporary signs of discomfort or concern during rehabilitation. In such circumstances, the trainer must carefully control the environment, minimize triggers, keep sessions appropriately short and take all reasonable steps to reduce the dog's distress.
Any interrupter used during training must be non-aversive and should serve only to obtain the dog's attention so that the trainer can interrupt an unwanted behaviour, redirect the dog and reinforce an appropriate alternative behaviour.
Unless a dog is in clear and immediate danger, interrupters that deliberately startle, frighten, intimidate or cause distress are unacceptable.
IPDTA recognizes that working with fearful, reactive or highly distressed dogs may sometimes result in unavoidable temporary signs of discomfort or concern during rehabilitation. In such circumstances, the trainer must carefully control the environment, minimize triggers, keep sessions appropriately short and take all reasonable steps to reduce the dog's distress.
Any interrupter used during training must be non-aversive and should serve only to obtain the dog's attention so that the trainer can interrupt an unwanted behaviour, redirect the dog and reinforce an appropriate alternative behaviour.
Unless a dog is in clear and immediate danger, interrupters that deliberately startle, frighten, intimidate or cause distress are unacceptable.
Understanding Canine Communication
IPDTA members are required to develop and maintain a thorough understanding of canine communication, body language and calming signals.
Members must be able to recognize signs of stress, fear, anxiety, discomfort and emotional escalation in order to assess whether a tool, technique or training environment is consistent with IPDTA's standards for humane dog training.
A tool or technique becomes unacceptable when the subject dog demonstrates signs of pain, distress, fear or increased anxiety, except where specifically addressed under the provisions governing unavoidable distress during rehabilitation.
The following are unacceptable:
Members must be able to recognize signs of stress, fear, anxiety, discomfort and emotional escalation in order to assess whether a tool, technique or training environment is consistent with IPDTA's standards for humane dog training.
A tool or technique becomes unacceptable when the subject dog demonstrates signs of pain, distress, fear or increased anxiety, except where specifically addressed under the provisions governing unavoidable distress during rehabilitation.
The following are unacceptable:
- Any tool or technique that causes pain, fear, intimidation or unnecessary distress.
- Any tool or technique carrying a high risk of misuse, abuse or malfunction that could result in intimidation, fear, pain or distress in the hands of the average dog guardian.
- Any misuse or abuse of a training tool or technique.
- Any physical punishment intended to cause pain, fear, intimidation or distress.
Physical & Verbal Punishment
IPDTA does not accept physical punishment as an appropriate method of dog training.
While punishment may sometimes produce short-term suppression of a behaviour, it does not necessarily address the underlying cause of that behaviour or teach the dog an appropriate alternative. It can also create or increase stress, anxiety, fear, avoidance and other behavioural concerns and may negatively affect a dog's physical, emotional, and psychological wellbeing.
With numerous effective, humane alternatives available, IPDTA members are expected to have no need or justification for the use of physical punishment or aversive verbal reprimands in dog training.
While punishment may sometimes produce short-term suppression of a behaviour, it does not necessarily address the underlying cause of that behaviour or teach the dog an appropriate alternative. It can also create or increase stress, anxiety, fear, avoidance and other behavioural concerns and may negatively affect a dog's physical, emotional, and psychological wellbeing.
With numerous effective, humane alternatives available, IPDTA members are expected to have no need or justification for the use of physical punishment or aversive verbal reprimands in dog training.
Handling & Restraint
IPDTA recognizes that dogs must learn to tolerate and where possible, willingly participate in reasonable handling and restraint necessary for their safety, health, grooming, veterinary care, and general wellbeing. However, handling or restraint that causes unnecessary physical or emotional distress is unacceptable.
Dogs that demonstrate an aversion to handling or restraint should be appropriately desensitized and counter-conditioned using humane, positive methods by a qualified professional.
Dogs that demonstrate an aversion to handling or restraint should be appropriately desensitized and counter-conditioned using humane, positive methods by a qualified professional.
Responsibility For Training Conduct
IPDTA members are responsible for ensuring that training conducted under their professional supervision or business name is consistent with this Code of Conduct.
Members must take reasonable steps to ensure that employees, assistants, instructors, contractors and others working under their business name understand and comply with IPDTA's standards.
Members must take reasonable steps to ensure that employees, assistants, instructors, contractors and others working under their business name understand and comply with IPDTA's standards.
Compliance & Membership
By becoming and remaining an IPDTA member, each member agrees to comply with this Code of Conduct and to conduct all professional training, behaviour modification and animal-human interactions in accordance with IPDTA's accepted methods and principles.
A violation of this Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action, including suspension or termination of IPDTA membership and/or certification.
Where a violation is substantiated, membership and associated certification may be revoked. Membership or certification fees are not refundable.
IPDTA reserves the right to determine appropriate disciplinary action based on the nature and severity of the violation and the circumstances involved.
The IPDTA Board or designated governing authority shall have final authority regarding membership and certification decisions in accordance with the Association's governing policies and procedures.
A violation of this Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action, including suspension or termination of IPDTA membership and/or certification.
Where a violation is substantiated, membership and associated certification may be revoked. Membership or certification fees are not refundable.
IPDTA reserves the right to determine appropriate disciplinary action based on the nature and severity of the violation and the circumstances involved.
The IPDTA Board or designated governing authority shall have final authority regarding membership and certification decisions in accordance with the Association's governing policies and procedures.