Thank you for being here for our Canine Conversations and for choosing to seek training advice from the professionals at Pets and Their People!

Here at the Pet Professional Guild, we have a strong ethical stance on the behavior and training of both pets and their people.

What Are Ethics?

Ethics in pet training are a set of principles and standards that guide a trainer’s decisions and actions to ensure the humane, safe, and effective treatment of animals. Ethical training prioritizes the well-being of the animal, fosters a relationship of trust and respect, and uses methods that are scientifically sound and aversive-free.

Force-Free and Positive Reinforcement

Ethical training is synonymous with force-free and positive-reinforcement methods. These approaches focus on rewarding desired behaviors rather than punishing unwanted ones. This builds a strong, positive relationship between the pet and the owner, as the animal learns through motivation and fun, not fear or intimidation. Force-free training avoids the use of tools and techniques that cause pain, fear, or discomfort, such as:

Choke collars
Prong collars
Shock collars (e-collars)
Physical corrections (hitting, kicking, alpha rolls)
Yelling or other forms of verbal intimidation

Professional and Client Responsibilities

Beyond the methods used on the animal, ethical training also involves professional conduct and responsibility to the client. This includes:

Competence: A trainer should only work on problems they are qualified to handle and should refer clients to other professionals (like a veterinarian or a certified animal behaviorist) when the issue is outside their scope of expertise.
Informed consent: Clients should be fully informed about the training methods, tools, and the potential risks and benefits before starting a program.
Confidentiality: Client information and case details should be kept private.
Honesty and transparency: Trainers must be truthful about their qualifications, certifications, and the pricing of their services. They should also be realistic about the potential outcomes of the training.
Safety: The trainer is responsible for ensuring the safety of the animal, the client, and the public during all training sessions.

By adhering to these ethical principles, trainers can ensure that they are not only effective in changing behavior but are also promoting the long-term emotional and physical well-being of the pets they work with.

We hope you enjoy our conversations and find them informative and useful in helping to manage and train your pets.