There is something to be said about licensure. It is a way to have peace of mind that a rigorous process has vetted the person you are working with to ensure that the qualifications for a field are met and continue to be met. Would you see a doctor if they weren’t licensed? Even your local hairdresser needs a license to practice his or her profession. Unfortunately, anyone can say they are a dog trainer. Currently, there aren’t certifications, licensing requirements, or a formal education process required for dog trainers. One can just “love dogs” and start a dog training business regardless of the methodology or outcomes of their practice.
Not all trainers are equal. Before hiring a Canine Behavior Consultant or dog trainer ask them about their path to becoming a dog trainer. Do they have certifications from reputable organizations in the field? Does your Behavior Consultant or dog trainer attend continuing education events on an ongoing basis? Does that person follow practices deemed reliable and relevant to the health and welfare of your canine companion? If the answer to all of these questions is not a resounding ‘Yes’ then you might want to continue looking elsewhere. A ‘Yes’ answer can signify that the person is continuing to learn all the new information available about the dogs that live with us. Fortunately for all of us, new and important information is coming out in the canine behavior science field every day. Beth and Wayne have many educational qualifications and have attended over 69 continuing education hours this year alone at canine behavior science conferences as outlined below.
These are only some of the continuing education events Beth and Wayne have attended. Below are other important credentials that they hold:
Beth Friedman, MPA, LCSW
Wayne Bolen, MEd
Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer, (CSAT)
Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC)
Elite Fear Free Certified Animal Trainer
Certified, Aggression In Dogs Trainer
AKC CGC Approved Evaluator
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