Top 10 Dog Trainer Certifications

Certifications are important for a dog trainer in the job market because they demonstrate to potential employers that the trainer has the knowledge and skills necessary to provide quality service. They also show that the trainer has taken the time to learn from experienced professionals and has been certified by an accredited organization. Certifications can help a dog trainer stand out from others in their field and increase their chances of being hired for jobs. Additionally, certifications can help a trainer build credibility with clients and show that they have expertise in their field.

The purpose of this article is to review the best certifications for Dog Trainers and explain how they can help advance a dog trainer's career.

What are Dog Trainer Certifications?

Dog trainer certification is an assessment program designed to evaluate a person's knowledge and ability to train dogs. It is administered by organizations such as the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) or the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). The certification process includes passing a written exam, completing a practical skills evaluation, and submitting references from clients.

Having a dog trainer certification helps to distinguish those who have met certain standards of knowledge and expertise in canine behavior and training. It also demonstrates that the individual has taken the time to understand best practices and ethical principles when it comes to working with dogs. Certification indicates that the individual is committed to continuing education and staying up-to-date on current research regarding canine behavior and learning theory. This can be especially important for professionals who work with aggressive or fearful dogs or those with special needs, as these cases require extra knowledge, skill, and experience.

Overall, having a dog trainer certification can give clients peace of mind knowing they are working with someone qualified to help them achieve their goals safely. It can also increase public trust in professional dog trainers, which can help boost business opportunities.

Pro Tip: Consider becoming certified through a professional organization such as the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) or the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). Doing so will demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to best practices in dog training and provide you with additional credibility.

Related: What does a Dog Trainer do?

Top 10 Dog Trainer Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Dog Trainers today.

1. Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT)

A Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) is an individual who has been certified by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). The CPDT is a professional designation that demonstrates a commitment to continuing education and ethical standards in the field of dog training.

In order to become a CPDT, individuals must have at least 300 hours of experience in dog training, pass an exam, and adhere to the CCPDT Code of Ethics. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions on topics such as canine behavior, learning theory, teaching methods, and safety. It typically takes 3-6 months to complete the requirements for certification.

The cost of becoming a CPDT varies depending on the individual’s experience level and location. Generally speaking, it can range from $400-$1,000 USD. This cost includes the application fee, exam fee, and any additional fees associated with continuing education courses or workshops.

2. Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP)

Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP) is a certification program designed to recognize excellence in the field of animal training. It is an advanced certification for professionals who have achieved a level of mastery and expertise in the science and art of animal behavior.

The KPA CTP program is divided into three levels: Foundation, Professional, and Master. The Foundation level requires completion of an online course, which takes approximately six weeks to complete. The Professional level requires completion of an online course and a two-day workshop, which takes approximately eight weeks to complete. Finally, the Master level requires completion of an online course and a four-day workshop, which takes approximately twelve weeks to complete.

To become certified as a KPA CTP, you must first meet certain prerequisites such as having at least one year of experience in animal training or behavior modification; being able to demonstrate knowledge in basic learning theory; and having completed at least one approved Animal Behavior College (ABC) course or equivalent. Once these requirements are met, you can then apply for certification through the Karen Pryor Academy website.

The cost for the KPA CTP program varies depending on the level you are applying for. For example, the cost for the Foundation level is $299 USD; for the Professional level it is $599 USD; and for the Master level it is $1,199 USD.

3. International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)

The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) is a professional organization that provides certification to individuals who specialize in animal behavior consulting. The IAABC was founded in 1999 and has since grown to include over 1,000 members in more than 30 countries.

To become certified by the IAABC, applicants must meet certain criteria, including having at least two years of experience in animal behavior consulting and completing an approved course of study. In addition, applicants must pass a written examination and demonstrate their knowledge and skills through case studies. The process typically takes between six months to one year to complete.

In order to apply for certification, interested individuals must first join the IAABC as a member. Membership costs $95 per year for professionals or $45 per year for students. Once accepted as a member, applicants can then apply for certification by submitting an application form along with all required documents and fees. Certification fees vary depending on the type of certification sought but generally range from $200-$400 USD.

Once certified, members are entitled to use the designation “Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist” or “Certified Professional Dog Trainer” after their name and can access additional resources such as discounts on continuing education courses and access to networking opportunities with other professionals in the field.

4. American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen (AKC CGC)

The American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen (AKC CGC) is a certification program designed to reward dogs that have good manners at home and in the community. The program emphasizes responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. To earn the AKC CGC certification, a dog must pass a 10-step test administered by an AKC approved evaluator.

The 10 steps of the test include: accepting a friendly stranger, sitting politely for petting, allowing grooming, walking on a loose lead, walking through a crowd, sitting and lying down on command and staying in place, coming when called, reacting appropriately to another dog, reacting appropriately to distractions such as noises or people passing by close to the dog, and remaining calm under supervised separation from the owner.

It typically takes several weeks or months of practice with an experienced trainer to prepare a dog for the AKC CGC test. The cost of taking the test varies depending on where it is taken but generally ranges from $20-$50 per dog.

5. Pet Professional Accreditation Board Certified Training and Behavior Counselor (PPABC-CTBC)

The Pet Professional Accreditation Board Certified Training and Behavior Counselor (PPABC-CTBC) is a certification program designed to recognize professionals who have met the highest standards of excellence in the field of pet behavior counseling. The PPABC-CTBC certification is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated their knowledge, skills, and abilities in the areas of animal behavior and training.

The certification process includes a written exam, an oral exam, and an on-site evaluation. The written exam consists of multiple-choice questions related to animal behavior and training principles. The oral exam focuses on specific topics such as problem solving, communication with clients, and ethical considerations. During the on-site evaluation, the candidate must demonstrate their ability to work with animals in real life situations.

It typically takes between six months to one year to complete the certification process. To begin the process, applicants must submit an application form along with supporting documents such as proof of education or experience in animal behavior or training. Applicants must also submit a fee for processing their application.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on the country where you are applying from but typically ranges from $500-$1000 USD. This cost covers all fees associated with taking the exams and completing the on-site evaluation.

6. National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI)

The National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI) is a professional organization that provides education, certification and support to dog obedience instructors. The organization was founded in 1975 and works to promote humane training methods and responsible dog ownership.

In order to become certified by NADOI, applicants must complete a comprehensive course of study that includes both written work and practical instruction. This course typically takes between 6-12 months to complete depending on the individual's level of experience.

Applicants must also have at least two years of experience teaching group classes or private lessons, as well as a minimum of 200 hours of teaching experience with dogs. Once all requirements are met, applicants can submit their application for review and certification.

The cost for NADOI certification varies based on the type of membership chosen. The basic membership fee is $75 per year, while the advanced membership fee is $150 per year. Both memberships include access to educational materials, discounts on seminars and conferences, and other benefits.

7. Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)

The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) is an international organization that provides certification for professional dog trainers. The CCPDT was established in 2001 to promote the highest standards of professional and ethical dog training practices.

To become a certified professional dog trainer, you must meet certain requirements. These include completing a minimum of 300 hours of documented hands-on experience with dogs, passing a written exam, and agreeing to abide by the CCPDT Code of Ethics.

It typically takes between 6 months and 1 year to complete all the requirements necessary for certification. However, this timeline can vary depending on individual circumstances.

To get started, you must first apply online and pay the application fee ($50). Once your application has been accepted, you will be able to take the written exam ($100). After passing the exam, you will need to submit proof of experience and agree to abide by the CCPDT Code of Ethics. Once all requirements have been met, you will receive your certification from CCPDT.

The total cost for certification is $150 ($50 application fee + $100 exam fee).

8. Delta Society Pet Partners Program

The Delta Society Pet Partners Program is an international program that trains and registers volunteer teams of people and their pets to provide animal-assisted interventions (AAI) in a variety of settings. The program was created to promote the human-animal bond and to ensure the safety of both people and animals.

The program consists of two parts: an online training course and a hands-on evaluation. The online training course includes topics such as animal behavior, safety, handling, communication, and health care. This part takes approximately 10 hours to complete. After completing the online portion, participants must attend a hands-on evaluation with their pet at a Pet Partners Evaluation Site. During this evaluation, the team will demonstrate their skills in areas such as basic obedience commands, appropriate interactions with people, and safe behaviors around other animals.

To get started with the program, participants must first register for the online training course on the Delta Society website. The cost for this course is $50 USD per person/pet team. Once registered for the online course, participants can then contact their nearest Pet Partners Evaluation Site to schedule an evaluation appointment.

In summary, the Delta Society Pet Partners Program is an international program that trains volunteers and their pets to provide animal-assisted interventions in various settings. It consists of two parts: an online training course ($50 USD) and a hands-on evaluation at a Pet Partners Evaluation Site. The entire process typically takes about 10 hours to complete.

9. Humane Society of the United States Animal Safety and Humane Handling Certificate

The Humane Society of the United States Animal Safety and Humane Handling Certificate is a certificate program designed to teach animal safety and humane handling techniques to those who work with animals in any capacity. The program is open to anyone interested in learning more about how to safely and humanely handle animals, including pet owners, animal care professionals, veterinarians, and wildlife rehabilitators.

The program consists of two courses: an online course that takes approximately 6-8 hours to complete, and an in-person course that takes approximately 8 hours. The online course covers topics such as animal behavior, proper restraint techniques, recognizing signs of stress in animals, and more. The in-person course focuses on hands-on training with live animals.

To get the certificate, you must successfully complete both the online and in-person courses. Upon completion of both courses, participants will receive their certificate from the Humane Society of the United States.

The cost for the program varies depending on your location; however, it typically ranges from $150-$200 USD for both courses combined.

10. International School for Dog Trainers Diploma

The International School for Dog Trainers Diploma is a comprehensive program that provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become professional dog trainers. The program consists of two levels: Basic and Advanced.

The Basic level is designed to teach students the fundamentals of dog training, such as understanding canine behavior, learning how to read body language, and developing effective training methods. This level takes approximately 8 weeks to complete and includes online coursework, hands-on practice sessions, and assessments.

The Advanced level builds on the knowledge gained in the Basic level by introducing more advanced concepts, such as problem solving techniques, teaching complex behaviors, and working with difficult dogs. This level also takes 8 weeks to complete and includes additional online coursework, hands-on practice sessions, and assessments.

To get the International School for Dog Trainers Diploma, students must successfully complete both the Basic and Advanced levels of the program. Upon completion of both levels, students will receive a diploma certifying their achievement.

The cost of the International School for Dog Trainers Diploma varies depending on which courses are taken. Generally speaking, it costs between $500-$800 USD per level (Basic or Advanced).

Do You Really Need a Dog Trainer Certificate?

Having a dog trainer certificate is not a requirement for becoming a successful dog trainer, but it can be beneficial to those who are serious about their career. A certification can help demonstrate your knowledge and experience in the field, and may even open up more job opportunities. Additionally, many employers prefer to hire individuals with certificates over those without them.

A certificate program typically consists of classroom instruction as well as hands-on experience with dogs. This type of training will teach you how to work with different breeds of dogs, understand canine behavior and body language, and develop effective training techniques. Many courses also include topics such as nutrition, grooming, safety practices, first aid, and more. Upon completion of the program, you will receive a certificate that verifies your knowledge and skills in the field of dog training.

If you’re serious about pursuing a career in dog training or if you’d like to gain additional qualifications for better job prospects, then getting a dog trainer certificate is worth considering. It will provide you with the necessary tools to become an effective trainer and give potential employers confidence in your abilities. However, if you just want to train your own pet or help out at an animal shelter from time to time without any long-term commitment then getting certified may not be necessary. Ultimately it depends on what your goals are when it comes to working with dogs.

Related: Dog Trainer Resume Examples

FAQs About Dog Trainer Certifications

1. What is a Dog Trainer Certification?

Answer: A Dog Trainer Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates a dog trainer’s expertise in canine behavior and training. It is awarded by an independent third-party organization and requires the successful completion of an exam that tests the dog trainer’s knowledge and skills.

2. What are the benefits of becoming certified?

Answer: Becoming certified as a dog trainer can give you credibility in the industry, provide you with more job opportunities, help you command higher pay, and demonstrate your commitment to continuing education.

3. What are the requirements for certification?

Answer: The requirements for certification vary depending on the certifying organization, but typically include having a certain level of experience working with dogs, completing courses or seminars related to canine behavior and training, and passing an exam administered by the certifying organization.

4. How long does it take to become certified?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to become certified depends on your existing experience working with dogs as well as how much time you put into studying for the exam. In general, it can take anywhere from several months up to two years or more to obtain certification.

5. Is certification required in order to work as a dog trainer?

Answer: While certification is not always required in order to work as a dog trainer, many employers prefer to hire individuals who have obtained some form of professional certification or who have completed additional coursework related to canine behavior and training.