Resources
American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
Training/Behavioral Resource
The mission of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists is to advance the behavioral health of animals through the certification of veterinary behavior specialists and the provision of science-based education. Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB) are veterinarians who have attained specialist status in veterinary behavior, which is recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association. They have received additional training, generally at least 3 years, in Veterinary Behavior through a recognized training program, either through a residency program at a College of Veterinary Medicine or through an individually mentored training program.
Animal Behavior Society
Training/Behavioral Resource
The Animal Behavior Society (ABS) is a non-partisan, non-profit, 501(3)(c) professional organization dedicated to promoting and advancing the scientific study of animal behavior. Members of ABS study behavior across all levels of biological organization, under natural and controlled conditions, and using descriptive and experimental approaches. Together with its sister organization, the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB), ABS edits the field’s flagship scientific journal, Animal Behaviour. ABS also sponsors annual research conferences, educational programs, outreach activities, student research grant competitions, and a professional certification program.
Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers
Training/Behavioral Resource
The mission of the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers is to establish and maintain humane standards of competence for dog training and behavior professionals through criteria based on experience, standardized testing, skills, and continuing education.
Our goal with this mission is twofold:
- To provide professional standards that support and promote excellence in the dog training and behavior profession.
- To give dog owners a way to identify professional certified trainers and behavior consultants.
International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
Training/Behavioral Resource
The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants’ mission is to elevate the standard of animal behavior consulting worldwide by promoting continuing education, peer support and development, ethical practices through the use of Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) principles, and the provision of quality resources for animal professionals and the pet-owning public. The IAABC believes that our strength is in our community, and we strive to provide a supportive learning and networking environment for animal behavior professionals so they can better serve their learners and each other.
International Association of Canine Professionals
Training/Behavioral Resource
The International Association of Canine Professionals is dedicated to the education, development and support of dog training professional world-wide. The IACP provides a community where experienced dog trainers mentor, guide and cultivate members to their full potential. Our commitment to the highest quality training increases our members’ skills and abilities, develops professional recognition and improves communication on training best practices. We support our members’ rights to properly use and promote effective, humane training tools and methods to create success for each dog and owner, while expanding the understanding and cooperation among canine professionals and dog owners across the full spectrum of the canine industry.
The Academy for Dog Trainers
Training/Behavioral Resource
The Academy exists to provide a comprehensive, evidence-based, rigorous curriculum on aversive-free pet dog training, behavior and behavior change so that dogs:
- are not relinquished to shelters and rescues due to behavior problems
- are integrated into families and not relegated to yards, garages or kennels
- are socialized, have high quality of life, enriched environments, and a sense of safety
- are understood by their human families and allowed to engage in behaviour that is normal for their species with access to attention, play, food, toys, smells etc. in ways that are acceptable in a human environment