Читать книгу Careers with Dogs - Kim Campbell Thornton - Страница 48

No one is required to obtain certification as a dog trainer, but having it can add to your credibility. Three organizations offer various levels of certification: the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP), and the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI).

To be eligible for the APDT’s certification exam, trainers must show evidence of at least 300 hours of dog-training experience within the past five years. At least 75 percent of that time must be teaching experience. In other words, the trainers must have taught other people how to train dogs, not simply trained their own dogs. Other requirements are a high-school diploma or GED and written references from a veterinarian, a client, and another trainer.

The IACP is a professional organization not just for trainers but for anyone who works with dogs, including groomers, boarding kennel owners and employees, veterinarians and vet techs, pet-supply retailers, and writers. Trainers who have been professional members of the IACP for at least six months may take the certified dog trainer (CDT) exam. In addition to the multipart exam, applicants must provide case studies of dogs trained within the past year, as well as references from clients.

The NADOI offers two levels of certification to its members: provisional and endorsed. Applicants must meet minimum experience requirements for each category to qualify for the exam. Eligibility for provisional certification requires at least two years of experience in dog obedience training; experience as an instructor or assistant instructor is recommended. To qualify as an endorsed member, an applicant must have at least five years of experience in dog obedience training, with at least two of those years at the instructor level. They must have worked with a minimum of 100 dog-handler teams. Applicants for both levels must pass an extensive written test and may be interviewed or asked to provide a video of a class.