A Philosophical Divide: The Dilemma Facing Pets and Their People
A pet owner seeking a trainer is often in a highly emotional and stressful situation, dealing with a challenging behavioral issue. The ethical divide in the pet training industry forces you to make a complex choice between philosophies that may not be clearly defined.
Confusion and Mistrust
The ethical landscape of the pet professional industry is characterized by a profound and enduring philosophical divide between organizations that advocate for force-free training and those that support a “balanced” approach.
The pet professional landscape is not only split by different methods but also by a semantic battleground where terms are used inconsistently, causing confusion and mistrust. This lack of a universal lexicon makes it challenging for consumers to make an informed choice.
Imprecise use of terms like ”balanced” and force-free by the general public and self-taught trainers exacerbates this philosophical divide.
Plus, the reality is that the divisions in pet care and training philosophies are not always binary and the nuances are often lost.
For example, on one side, the term force-free can be a starting point for consumers, signaling that harmful and violent methods will not be employed; whereas the term “balanced” trainer can be used to describe a wide range of individuals, from a trainer who uses occasional leash corrections to one who engages in abusive techniques.
This lack of clarity is compounded by the fact that sometimes service providers are deliberately misleading in the labels they use. Unfortunately, it’s not unheard of for well-known trainers to associate with a force-free or fear-free label when clearly engaging in more punitive methods.
A Divided Profession
rationale of training methods.
As you can see, the core divergence is not simply a matter of different rules but, a fundamental difference in how professionals define animal welfare, learning, and the acceptable limits of human intervention.
The problem is further complicated by the professional infighting and social media attacks that occur between these ideological camps. Ethical codes that mandate respect for colleagues are often violated, hindering the potential for a unified professional front.
This observation is not in any way suggesting that advocates of humane and science-based dog training should refrain from advocating their positions and being a voice for the voiceless; it simply implies that crafting a strong argument requires a delicate balance of passion and professionalism.
To ensure advocacy is both persuasive and effective in reaching consumers like you, professionals must adhere to a few core principles. A cohesive, objective, factual, and professional approach is key to making positions heard and respected. When discourse lacks these elements, public conflict erodes consumer trust, making it more difficult for dog owners to find professionals you can rely on to prioritize your pet’s physical and emotional well-being.
Practical Implications
The divergent ethical frameworks of the main pet industry associations and organizations are more than just abstract philosophical positions; they have significant practical effects on trainers, professionals, the public, and pets.
To be an informed consumer, it can help to know some of the acronyms you might come across and what they stand for:
- Pet Professional Guild (PPG): PPG stands on the side of an uncompromising, no-aversives approach with a strict force-free mandate. The Guiding Principles offer peace of mind that no pain or fear will be used in the training, behavior modification, care, or management of any pet. (Please note Pets and Their People is a publication of the Pet Professional Guild.)
- International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP): The IACP, stands as the primary proponent of “balanced” training, explicitly permitting corrective tools, such as shock collars, while placing the ethical burden of deciding when to escalate the use of pain and fear on the trainer’s subjective judgment. An IACP-affiliated “balanced” trainer promises a professional with a “full tool kit” who can supposedly handle any case, with the implicit reward of faster or more effective results. However, you, the consumer, must accept the risk that the trainer’s definition of “humane” and “proficient” may differ from your own.
- Least Invasive Minimally Aversive (LIMA): LIMA trainers outline a hierarchy of how they will start and how they may progress up the ladder of more aversive (correction-based, punishment-based) approaches.
- International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC): The IAABC standards of practice for trainers and behavior consultants can be found here.
But, don’t rely solely on a professional’s affiliation. Look beyond the acronym. The terms force-free, LIMA, and “balanced” are starting points, not end-all definitions. A trainer’s pledge and their detailed explanation of their methods are more important than a logo.
Recommendations
When choosing a pet trainer or behavior consultant, you must look further than the self-prescribed label. Investigate the approach, philosophy, tools employed, statements on tools and techniques that will not be used, the professional ethics statements, and codes of conduct. Based on this information, here are some recommendations for pet owners:
- Ask direct questions: Ask specific questions about tools and techniques. Inquire about the use of choke, prong, or electronic/shock collars, and be wary of trainers who provide convoluted or evasive answers. Ask specific questions about when and how a trainer would physically engage with the pet and under what conditions. Abuse is not always subjected via a piece of equipment; hands and human physical force can also prove damaging and even deadly.
- Understand the “Why?”: Seek to understand the ethical and scientific rationale behind a trainer’s methods. A good trainer can explain why they use certain methods and what the potential benefits and risks are for the animal’s emotional and physical well-being. For consumers, this crucial risk-reward calculation is at the heart of the decision-making process.
- Demand transparency: Insist on a written contract that outlines the training plan, fees, and the methods to be used. This contract creates a clear record and helps to hold the trainer accountable.
The Power You Wield
The ongoing debate over training methods and management tools, although contentious, has led to a greater focus on professionalism and accountability across the board. With some organizations, there is a broad, shared commitment to professional conduct, including client confidentiality, truthful advertising, and the prohibition of guaranteed results.
In an unregulated industry, a trainer’s personal “pledge,” or publicly available stance, can serve as a form of transparency that helps to cut through the confusion of organizational acronyms and provide a clear statement of values. This personal commitment can be a powerful tool for building trust and aligning with a client’s values and principles to help you provide the best life possible for your furry family members.
Understanding Rhetoric – A Guide for Consumers
Logos, ethos, and pathos are the three pillars of persuasion, first described by the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle. They are the fundamental appeals used to make an argument compelling and are often referred to as the “Rhetorical Triangle.” A strong argument effectively uses a combination of all three:
Logos is the appeal to the audience’s reason and sense of logic. It focuses on the use of facts, data, statistics, and clear reasoning to support a claim. The goal is to make the argument appear rational and undeniable. How it’s used: Citing research studies and data. Using logical connections (e.g., “If X is true, then Y must also be true.”). Providing evidence from credible, objective sources.
Ethos is the appeal to the speaker’s or writer’s character, authority, and credibility. It’s about convincing the audience that the speaker or writer is trustworthy, knowledgeable, and has good intentions. How it’s used: Stating credentials, expertise, or experience (e.g., “As a doctor with 20 years of experience…”). Using a professional and respectful tone. Acknowledging and fairly addressing counterarguments. Citing reliable and respected sources. Simply appearing well-prepared and confident.
Pathos is the appeal to the audience’s emotions, values, and imagination. The goal is to create an emotional response, such as sympathy, anger, fear, or joy, that makes the audience more receptive to the message. How it’s used: Telling personal stories or anecdotes. Using powerful, evocative language and imagery. Appealing to the audience’s sense of justice, fairness, or shared identity. Using humor, drama, or surprise to connect with the audience on a deeper level.
In practice, these three appeals are rarely used in isolation. The most persuasive arguments often weave them together. A political speech might use powerful emotional stories (pathos) to highlight the impact of a problem, then provide data and policy proposals (logos) to show how they can solve it, all while the speaker’s reputation and command of the subject (ethos) reassure the audience that they are the right person for the job.
About the Author
Niki Tudge M.B.A, PCBC-A, PCT-A, Six Sigma Black Belt, HCITB TS1, TS2 & TS3. DogNostics Founder & Faculty. Business SMARTS and Behavior SMARTS Mentor
As the founder and president of The Pet Professional Guild , DogNostics Education and The DogSmith, Niki has substantial leadership experience in the pet industry. Niki has published numerous articles on dog training and dog behavior and her pet dog training businesses have been featured in many publications including The New York Times. Niki’s professional credentials include; AABP-Professional Dog Trainer, AABP-Professional Dog Behavior Consultant, PCBC-A and PCT-A through the Pet Professional Accrediting Board and she has earned diplomas in Animal Behavior Technology and Canine Behavior Science & Technology through the Companion Animal Science Institute. Along with Niki’s business degree and MBA from Oxford Brookes University she is also a certified Six Sigma Black Belt, a HCITB TS1, TS2 & TS3 certified people trainer and a certified Facilitator and Business Project Manager.