Pet Training and Behavior Consulting: Knowledge Versus Performance
Knowledge and performance are distinct yet interconnected concepts. Knowledge refers to the understanding and awareness of facts and ideas, while performance is the practical application of that knowledge. Dog training hinges on both knowledge and performance. These concepts are different, but both should be assessed before a professional can become an accredited or licensed dog trainer.
Can you imagine other industries certifying or licensing professionals without evidence of both knowledge and performance? Veterinary medicine, surgery, nursing, and most trades require performance competency. How can we overlook the performance factor and focus solely on testing knowledge when working with sentient beings? It is mind boggling!
Yes, I know it takes work to be accredited with organizations that require both. Demonstrating competency through videotaped or in-person testing is scary and challenging. But we must set high standards to enhance and professionalize the pet training and behavior consulting industry.
Choose your education carefully to ensure that you acquire academic knowledge and performance competency. If your education is valid and rigorous, gaining independent accreditation will be easier for you, as you will have already demonstrated your skills and will only need to be independently tested.
I recommend avoiding any education or independent credentialing organization that does not prioritize performance competency with at least 50% importance. Strive to be the best you can be with knowledge, performance competency, and, yes, ethics.
Which organizations are academically sound, emphasize and test performance competency, and are directed by a strong ethical compass? Which organizations test for all and hold individuals accountable? Those are the organizations we need to be supporting and promoting.
Niki Tudge, MBA, PCBC-A, CABC, CDBC, is the founder and president of the Pet Professional Guild, DogNostics Education and The DogSmith. She has substantial leadership experience in business management and administration, particularly in the nonprofit sector, which encompasses her role as the president of Doggone Safe, a nonprofit educational organization. She has published numerous articles, which have been featured in publications such as the New York Times. She has also authored five books. Her most recent book, Pet Training and Behavior Consulting: A Model for Raising the bar to Protect Professionals, Pets and Their People, which she co-authored, was published in 2019.
Niki holds a dog training and dog behavior credential from the Pet Professional Accreditation Board, has successfully completed two diplomas (animal behavior technician and canine behavior science and technology) with James O’Heare at the Companion Animal Sciences Institute, and is a certified dog trainer and dog behavior consultant through the Association of Animal Behavior Professionals.
Before following her passion into small business and nonprofit management, she enjoyed a distinguished career in the hospitality industry, holding executive positions all over the world. Her real passion in her corporate role was the identification and development of female talent in the workplace. She enjoyed managing and coaching her team through both their personal and professional development, and loved watching the process of female empowerment and growth at a high level of management.
In recent years, Niki has invested time in moving her love of running from a hobby to a professional business. Her professional credentials include International Sports Science Association (ISSA) certified fitness trainer, ISSA certified transformation specialist, nutritional coach and ISSA elite trainer. She is also a certified chi walking and running coach, and has successfully complete the MAF Foundations’ certificate course.
Along with her business degrees from Oxford Brookes University in the UK, Niki holds a Six Sigma Black Belt certification, specializing in data analysis and process improvement and is an International Training Board (HCITB) certified people trainer at levels TS1, TS2 and TS3, and a certified facilitator and project manager. In addition, she was recognized for her outstanding contribution to the business community and honored with a Fortune 500 Company Leadership Award for her accomplishments.
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