A key mission of the Pet Professional Guild is to build an international coalition of competent and ethical pet service professionals who can
create widespread industry transparency regarding the use and purpose of commercially available pet training and care tools and equipment.
Pet Professional Guild
Why Become A Member
PPG’s guiding principles provide a direct path forward for the industry while supporting professional autonomy,
encouraging its members to approach training and care as they wish while working within PPG’s guiding principles.
PPG is a great educational resource for pet owners
Pet owners are very important to us here at PPG. Our goal is to help pet owners provide the best life possible for their furry family members. Members focus on the pets and owners' physical, emotional, and behavioral welfare.
compassionate, ethical and humane pet professionals
PPG promotes the use of positive training methods, both personally and professionally, and holds that all training should be conducted in a manner that encourages pets and their owners to enjoy the process, leading to more confident and well-adjusted families.
specific, measurable and forward-thinking
PPG members optimize the use of applied behavior analysis to systematically identify and resolve problem behaviors using the least aversive and intrusive training methods, tools and equipment. The key focus is on ensuring pets are relaxed and happy during training and care procedures.
members actively discourage using fear, force or pain
PPG members actively recommend against the use of any training tools and equipment whose purpose or intent is to interrupt or redirect behavior using fear, force or pain. Overwhelming scientific evidence presented through our Position Statements supports our Guiding Principles.
providing information at the forefront of science and ethics
PPG promotes scientifically researched methods of training and behavior modification that are the least intrusive and most effective, both to its members and the pet-owning community at large.
Informed by Science, Guided by Empathy, Governed by Ethics
PPG members are committed to demonstrating integrity, compassion and an uncompromising commitment to excellence in the care and support of clients and their pets.
Divisions
Under each division, you will find some great resources, events, and other division-specific information and resources.
The Pet Professional Guild Programs
Members are eligible to join these programs at a substantial discount. Each of these programs has membership offerings.
Events
Conditioned Cues: Setting Up Novice Pet & Service Dog Learners for Success with Sharon Wachsler
May 9, 2024
Webinar Description Do your basic manners students attach their recall or “wait” cues before the dog knows the behavior, or when the cue [...]
Changing Behavior by Arranging Antecedents with Kathy Sdao
December 22, 2023
On-Demand Webinar: Watch as soon as you register Webinar Description Animal trainers and behavior consultants sometimes overlook or undervalue Level 2 (Antecedent Arrangements) [...]
Scent & Scentability Virtual Program Your Scent Work For Practical Training & Behavior Solutions with Dr. Robert & Karen Caton Hewings
March 12, 2024
Scent & Scentability Virtual Program 12 RECORDED ACADEMIC & SKILL SESSIONS Who Is This Recorded Event Designed For? Dog Trainers, Behavior [...]
To Spay or Not to Spay – That is the Question. Presented by Dr. Jessica Hekman, DVM, PhD
March 12, 2024
Webinar Description Veterinarians used to routinely recommend that your dog be neutered (spayed or castrated) at 6 months of age. That recommendation has [...]
Leaving Conflict Behind – Skills to Reduce Intra-Household Aggression with Christina Young
May 1, 2024
Webinar Description This webinar will discuss when and why dogs living together in a home might fight. Once management is in place, then [...]
Successful Dog Adoption Placement in Families with Kids with Michelle Stern
May 20, 2024
Webinar Description Join Michelle for this webinar where attendees will learn more about how best to place rescue/shelter/breeder dogs into families with children. [...]
From Cautious to Confident: Fun and Games for Shy Dogs AND Their People with Christina Young
April 24, 2024
Webinar Description Playing with our dogs is a great way to bond with and enjoy our pets. Just like people, dogs are individuals [...]
The Angel in the Details: Counseling Guardians With Dogs Who Are Fearful at the Vet with Kristi Benson
May 7, 2024
Webinar Description Dog guardians are becoming more and more aware of their dogs’ comfort—or lack of comfort—at the veterinary office. Although the [...]
Learn The Mechanisms of Anxiety and Improve Your Training Programs with Alexandra Santos
May 10, 2024
Webinar Description Anxiety-related problems are on the rise, which calls for more expertise to be applied to the behavior modification programs designed to [...]
If Behaviour’s The Answer, What’s The Question? Presented by Shay Kelly
December 22, 2023
On-Demand Webinar: Watch as soon as you register Webinar Description This webinar explores Tinbergen's four questions relating to the mechanism, survival value, development, [...]
Crucial Cues Your Shelter Dogs, Volunteers & Adopters Should Know – ‘Sit’ Not Included with Leo Taylor
March 6, 2024
On-Demand Webinar: Watch as soon as you register Webinar Description Shelters often market dog volunteer positions as 'dog walking' opportunities but there's an [...]
Playground, Not Battleground: Finding a Dog’s Perfect Playmate with Jean Donaldson
April 22, 2024
Webinar Description Play can be a polarizing topic among dog behavior professionals, with points of view ranging from completely sequestering dogs from [...]
Working Successfully with Clients. Presented by Irith Bloom
December 22, 2023
On-Demand Webinar: Watch as soon as you register Webinar Description One of the hardest parts of a pet trainer’s job can be getting [...]
Learn Vagabonding With Your Friend, on a 6 Foot Leash” Presented by Zuzanna(Zuzia)Kubica
April 17, 2024
Webinar Description Many urban clients have active dogs: Husky mixes, Australian Shepherds, and athletic Pitbull types… with limited access to off-leash areas. [...]
If You Can’t Explain It Simply … Anthropomorphism Is NOT a Bad Word with Jean Donaldson
April 8, 2024
Webinar Description The downsides of anthropomorphism are real and, for the most part, well known to dog behavior professionals: ascribing morality to [...]