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
WORLD LEADING DOG TRAINER CERTIFICATION, COURSES & PROGRAMS
International Positive Dog Training Association Standards
Coercive training approaches are associated with significant risks including fear, chronic stress and anxiety, confusion, frustration, emotional distress and physical harm. These methods can also contribute to learned helplessness, defensive or redirected aggression and shutdown behaviours. They can also result in long-term harm to the human-canine trust bond and negatively impact a dog's overall emotional wellbeing and quality of life.
IPDTA-certified dog trainers and members must adhere to strict professional standards that prohibit the use of aversive tools, including but not limited to choke chains, slip collars, pinch collars, shock equipment, spray products, shaker cans and high-frequency sound devices.
These standards also prohibit the use of intimidation, coercion, domination, force, or physical punishment of any kind, including but not limited to throwing objects, leash corrections, hanging, poking, kicking or hitting.
Members are required to use only scientifically supported, positive, humane, reward-based training methods that promote emotional wellbeing, clear communication and lasting behavioural change while protecting the dog's physical and emotional wellbeing.
IPDTA-certified dog trainers and members must adhere to strict professional standards that prohibit the use of aversive tools, including but not limited to choke chains, slip collars, pinch collars, shock equipment, spray products, shaker cans and high-frequency sound devices.
These standards also prohibit the use of intimidation, coercion, domination, force, or physical punishment of any kind, including but not limited to throwing objects, leash corrections, hanging, poking, kicking or hitting.
Members are required to use only scientifically supported, positive, humane, reward-based training methods that promote emotional wellbeing, clear communication and lasting behavioural change while protecting the dog's physical and emotional wellbeing.
IPDTA's Definition of Abuse
IPDTA’s Definition Of Abuse In Dog Training & Behaviour Modification
IPDTA defines abuse in dog training and behaviour modification as the use or misuse of any tool, technique or training method that intentionally causes or has a reasonable likelihood of causing unnecessary, physical injury, emotional distress, discomfort, pain or any other form of harm that compromise a dog's physical safety or emotional wellbeing.
Grounded in the principles of operant conditioning established by B.F. Skinner, IPDTA promotes only scientifically proven dog training and behaviour modification practices that emphasize positive methods, voluntary participation and informed choice. The organization's approach is centred on achieving lasting behavioural change through humane, ethical methods that nurture trust,
confidence and positive outcomes, not through punishment or coercion (R1) (R3). The term “necessary” only applies when it’s necessary to handle a dog for health reasons, to keep it safe or save it from harm, or the mild exposure to a stimulus necessary when applying desensitization, counter conditioning, Constructional Aggression Treatment (CAT), Behaviour Adjustment Training (BAT) and similar techniques.
IPDTA defines abuse in dog training and behaviour modification as the use or misuse of any tool, technique or training method that intentionally causes or has a reasonable likelihood of causing unnecessary, physical injury, emotional distress, discomfort, pain or any other form of harm that compromise a dog's physical safety or emotional wellbeing.
Grounded in the principles of operant conditioning established by B.F. Skinner, IPDTA promotes only scientifically proven dog training and behaviour modification practices that emphasize positive methods, voluntary participation and informed choice. The organization's approach is centred on achieving lasting behavioural change through humane, ethical methods that nurture trust,
confidence and positive outcomes, not through punishment or coercion (R1) (R3). The term “necessary” only applies when it’s necessary to handle a dog for health reasons, to keep it safe or save it from harm, or the mild exposure to a stimulus necessary when applying desensitization, counter conditioning, Constructional Aggression Treatment (CAT), Behaviour Adjustment Training (BAT) and similar techniques.
IPDTA-certified dog trainer/members must adhere to strict professional guidelines that prohibit the use of any coercive tool including but not limited to choke chains, slip collars, pinch collars, shock equipment, spray products, shaker cans or high frequency sound products. It also includes alpha rolls or any form of physical punishment, pushing, intimidation, domination, leash corrections, hanging, poking, kicking or hitting of any kind. Members must only use scientifically proven, positive, humane, reward-based methods that promote psychological safety, clear communication and lasting behavioural change without compromising the dog’s physical or emotional wellbeing.
IPDTA’s guiding principle is simple: “If you don’t want someone doing it to you, don’t do it to anyone
else – animal or human.” Those who truly love dogs do not want to scare or hurt them.
The use of coercion in dog training is not only unpleasant for the dog and counter productive
to the learning process, it’s unnecessary and unacceptable, because positive dog training works.
else – animal or human.” Those who truly love dogs do not want to scare or hurt them.
The use of coercion in dog training is not only unpleasant for the dog and counter productive
to the learning process, it’s unnecessary and unacceptable, because positive dog training works.
IPDTA's Definition Of Positive Training - What We Use & Do Not Use
Positive Reinforcement (R+) WE USE THIS
The term positive reinforcement refers to adding something pleasant in order to increase the likelihood that a specific behaviour will reoccur.
Example: When the dog sits you give it a treat increasing the likelihood that the dog will sit.
Application: Adding something pleasant (treat) to increase the behaviour (sit).
Positive reinforcement is motivational as well as proactive in nature, resulting in a handler that exhibits benevolent leadership.
Example: When the dog sits you give it a treat increasing the likelihood that the dog will sit.
Application: Adding something pleasant (treat) to increase the behaviour (sit).
Positive reinforcement is motivational as well as proactive in nature, resulting in a handler that exhibits benevolent leadership.
Positive Punishment (P+) WE DON'T USE THIS
The term positive punishment refers to adding something unpleasant in order to decrease the likelihood that a specific behaviour will reoccur.
Example: When the dog wanders from heel it’s yanked by the neck back into position with a “pop-release” correction, decreasing the likelihood that the dog will move from heel position.
Application: Adding something unpleasant (yank) to decrease the behaviour (moving out of heel position).
We do not use this technique nor do we endorse any type of positive punishment. Since positive punishment is reactionary in nature, it does not demonstrate leadership but instead indicates that the trainer is reacting to the dog’s behaviour utilizing intimidation, fear and/or pain to stop unwanted behaviour.
Example: When the dog wanders from heel it’s yanked by the neck back into position with a “pop-release” correction, decreasing the likelihood that the dog will move from heel position.
Application: Adding something unpleasant (yank) to decrease the behaviour (moving out of heel position).
We do not use this technique nor do we endorse any type of positive punishment. Since positive punishment is reactionary in nature, it does not demonstrate leadership but instead indicates that the trainer is reacting to the dog’s behaviour utilizing intimidation, fear and/or pain to stop unwanted behaviour.
Negative Reinforcement (R-) WE USE THIS ONLY AS DESCRIBED IN EXAMPLE B
The term negative reinforcement refers to removing something unpleasant in order to increase the likelihood that a specific behaviour will reoccur.
Example A: The dog will not take the dumbbell into its mouth. The trainer pinches the dog’s ear causing it to yelp due to fear and pain. When the dog’s mouth is open the trainer places the dumbbell inside. When the dog closes its mouth on the dumbbell the trainer releases the painful ear pinch.
Application: Removing something unpleasant (painful ear pinch) to increase the behaviour (taking and holding the dumbbell).
This method and similar methods are unnecessary and inhumane. We do not use this technique, nor do we endorse this type of negative reinforcement.
Example B: A dog that’s reactive to other dogs is walked at a distance where it notices the other dog but remains below threshold. As soon as the reactive dog responds to a cue or looks at the handler, the handler immediately increases the distance from the other dog, thereby removing the aversive stimulus.
Application: Removing something unpleasant (the other dog) to increase the behaviour (responding to cues and looking at the handler).
We use negative reinforcement techniques that are humane variations of desensitization, counter conditioning, the Constructional Aggression Treatment (CAT) and Behaviour Adjustment Training (BAT) techniques.
Example A: The dog will not take the dumbbell into its mouth. The trainer pinches the dog’s ear causing it to yelp due to fear and pain. When the dog’s mouth is open the trainer places the dumbbell inside. When the dog closes its mouth on the dumbbell the trainer releases the painful ear pinch.
Application: Removing something unpleasant (painful ear pinch) to increase the behaviour (taking and holding the dumbbell).
This method and similar methods are unnecessary and inhumane. We do not use this technique, nor do we endorse this type of negative reinforcement.
Example B: A dog that’s reactive to other dogs is walked at a distance where it notices the other dog but remains below threshold. As soon as the reactive dog responds to a cue or looks at the handler, the handler immediately increases the distance from the other dog, thereby removing the aversive stimulus.
Application: Removing something unpleasant (the other dog) to increase the behaviour (responding to cues and looking at the handler).
We use negative reinforcement techniques that are humane variations of desensitization, counter conditioning, the Constructional Aggression Treatment (CAT) and Behaviour Adjustment Training (BAT) techniques.
Negative Punishment (P-)
The term negative punishment may sound unpleasant however, it refers to removing something pleasant in order to decrease the likelihood that a specific behaviour will reoccur.
Example: When the dog barks at a person for attention, the person turns away and withholds attention until the dog is quiet, at which time the person turns to face the dog and gives it attention, decreases the likelihood that the barking will reoccur.
Application: Removing something pleasant (attention) to decrease unwanted behaviour (barking).
Negative punishment is a humane, non-confrontational method that focuses on teaching the dog impulse control, by controlling a desired resource. This is an example of resource control, which is a key concept of positive training.
Example: When the dog barks at a person for attention, the person turns away and withholds attention until the dog is quiet, at which time the person turns to face the dog and gives it attention, decreases the likelihood that the barking will reoccur.
Application: Removing something pleasant (attention) to decrease unwanted behaviour (barking).
Negative punishment is a humane, non-confrontational method that focuses on teaching the dog impulse control, by controlling a desired resource. This is an example of resource control, which is a key concept of positive training.
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.
Correspondence Studies Professional Dog Trainer Certification Courses and Programs,
as well as Founder & Chair of the International Positive Dog Training Association.
Prong/Pinch Collar Injury