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The Guiding Principles

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The PPG Guiding Principles are divided into four sections

Section One: The Non-Negotiables
Section Two: Vision, Mission and Values
Section Three: Pet Professional Guild Members’ Professional Ethics
Section Four: Pet Professional Guild Members’ Pledge

Download The Full Guiding Principles Document Here

Section ONE: The Non-Negotiables

To be in any way affiliated with the Pet Professional Guild, all members must adhere to a strict code of conduct. Pet Professional Guild members understand Force-Free to mean that:

No shock, No prong, No choke and No Pain, No fear, No Force are ever employed in the training, behavior modification, care, or management of any pet.

Definition of Force

Any definition can never be so expansive and explicit that every possible situation is addressed. This is universal in its application. A good example is the US legal system where, very often, courts cannot agree on a single interpretation of what terms and definitions mean – including physical force.

Recognizing this in the context of its Guiding Principles and as a general framework, the Pet Professional Guild defines physical force as “any intentional physical act against a pet that causes psychological or physical pain, harm or damage to the pet.” 

Equipment

Certain equipment is covered above in the Non-Negotiables. Clearly, the use of many (or even most) harnesses, head halters, collars (non-choking) and leashes would not be considered physical force under this guiding definition if

  1. they are used consistently with our Guiding Principles,
  2. they are used as intended and designed, and
  3. they are not used in a way that is contrary to their design and intent, i.e., not used in a manner that would cause psychological or physical pain, harm or damage.

Section Two: Vision, Mission, and Values

Vision

At the Pet Professional Guild, we envision a world where people and pets can live together to their mutual benefit and where pets can live and function free from physical and emotional pain, stress and fear as valued family members.

Mission

Our mission is to help make every pet a cherished family member and improve the relationship and the quality of life people share with their pets by:

  • Providing the greatest value and highest quality, state-of-the-art, force-free, science-based pet training and pet care for each client.
  • Always demonstrating integrity, compassion, and an uncompromising commitment to excellence in the care and support of clients and their pets.
  • Continually expanding our knowledge and improving our skills to serve our clients as a valuable resource, providing the most innovative pet training and pet care possible.

 Values

  • First, do no harm. Our ethical principles allow for no harm and provide for the well-being of each pet.
  • Emphasize a holistic, force-free approach to pet training and pet care by attending to the physical, emotional and environmental well-being of pets in our care.

For Sections Three and Four, please download the complete document on the left-hand side

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Principles & Conduct