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When Choosing a Dog Trainer, Buyer Beware!

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Written by Leah Roberts Originally posted in 8/27 2010 Before 1981 when Dr. Ian Dunbar developed the first Sirius Puppy Class, training wasn’t recommended for puppies under 6 months old.  The only training methods available at the time involved physical force using training tools such as choke collars, and were considered to be too harsh for young puppies.  Dr. Dunbar created the lure/reward method, which opened up an entirely new perspective on dog training in general.   With this method, instead of being corrected for wrong behavior, puppies are set up for success by… Continued

What’s Wrong With No Kill?

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by Pat Miller Those who know me know that I abhor the entire deceptive, unethical, abusive “no-kill” movement. When I first spoke out against no kill at conferences 20-plus years ago, I was greeted by a roomful of puzzled looks and verbal resistance. Today, I get wild applause. Our industry has come to understand how damaging the so-called no-kill movement actually is. Imagine a world where no dog is euthanized for homelessness: more homes than dogs; waiting lists at dog adoption sources; potential adopters anxiously awaiting the next available canine.… Continued

The Behavior Teams Working Together Manual

The Behavior Teams Working Together Manual provides an in-depth look at the program and how it works. The table of contents is provided here for a quick look, and if you wish, you can download the complete manual to your computer. Table of Contents Project Vision This Project Seeks To … Best Practice #1 – How Do Behavior Teams Work Together? Best Practice #2 – Communication and Feedback Model Best Practice #3 – Client Intake Procedure and Functional Assessment Flowchart Best Practice #4 – The Credential Matrix Download the Manual

The Brain Train – A PPG Virtual Event

A Pet Professional Guild Virtual Event November 10–14, 2025 Why Learn About the Brain? Why are neurotransmitters so crucial, and why do I need to understand more about them? Neurotransmitters are essential to learning and behavior because they serve as the chemical messengers that allow neurons (nerve cells) to communicate with one another throughout the brain and body. This communication forms the basis of all brain function, from basic physiological processes to complex cognitive abilities and emotional responses. Come and learn the impact of neurotransmitters on: You’ll also learn how… Continued

Pet Training and Behavior Consulting: Knowledge Versus Performance 

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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… Continued

PPG Advocacy Panel: Navigating Pet Regret—Finding Solutions and Moving Forward

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In this episode, the PPG Advocacy Panel discusses ways to help families who are experiencing “pet regret” find solutions and move forward. Your host/moderator: ⁠PPG Advocacy Task Force⁠ Chair Don Hanson Your panelists: Kristi Benson, Dayle Pierce, Kim Silver, and Sam Wike Make yourself comfortable and enjoy the discussion! Listen to the podcast here on a choice of platforms.  Or, you can click on the play button below to listen to the episode now! Recorded June 18, 2025. Find out more about future Advocacy Panel topics and dates.

Easing My Dog’s Stress at the Veterinary Clinic

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Let’s start with a show of hands. Who enjoys going to the doctor or dentist’s office? Well, our pets probably feel the same way, so what can we do to help them? In 2016, Zazie Todd, Ph.D. wrote “Canine Stress in the Vet’s Waiting Room” and cited a study identifying the percentage of dogs who experienced stress while at a veterinary clinic. If a dog is not conditioned to enjoy visiting the clinic, it does not surprise me that the couple of visits per year when a dog is handled and restrained by… Continued

Legislative Committee

Niki Tudge Your committee chair and president of PPG Email Niki Welcome to the Legislative Committee! The Pet Professional Guild has launched an initiative to stay informed about news and policy developments regarding legislation across the pet industry. While federal and state agencies are responsible for policy initiatives, issues related to pet training and care are addressed within the broader mandates of animal welfare, agriculture, and commerce rather than by a standalone federal or state legislative committee. There isn’t one single, dedicated committee solely dedicated to legislation and policy for… Continued

Pet Professional Accreditation Board Support Group

Have questions about the PPAB application process or transferring a current credential or earning a new PPAB credential? Then please join our support group meeting! Your hosts are Debra Millikan, Niki Tudge, and Rebekah King. You can register directly for one of these events through our Live Webinars list. The meetings are held via Zoom each month on the second Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. ET. At the time of the meeting, click this Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/6841384856?omn=85106750050 Learn more about the Pet Professional Accreditation Board here. Please read the study guide for the… Continued

PPAB Renewal Links – First Time Only Feline

  When you first set up your account, you received a free coupon to do this, as it was included in your credential applicant fee. After the first year, if you need to set up an ongoing subscription, please use these links. Ensure you are logged into the website when visiting these links, so the subscription is added to your existing account.   Professional  Feline Trainer – Accredited  Professional Feline Behavior Consultant – Accredited  

Not All Pet Care Providers Are the Same

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Regardless of whether your pet is at a pet resort or receiving care at home, several significant factors should be taken into account when selecting a pet care facility or an in-home caregiver. Before delving into specific areas, I will define what I consider a professional pet care provider. Individuals pursuing a career in pet care should fully engage in professional education that covers: Pet care providers need to create a secure environment that prioritizes both safety and comfort while also offering physical and mental stimulation. Key core areas of… Continued

Five Ways the Power of Play Will Transform Your Dog Training Business

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Want to know the secret to happier clients, better-trained dogs, and a thriving dog training business? Or how to encourage your owners to actually do the work and put your training into practice? The answer is simpler than you might think—it’s play!  Science shows that play doesn’t just make training more enjoyable. It actively enhances learning, strengthens bonds, and builds confidence in both dogs and their owners. At Tug-E-Nuff, we’ve seen firsthand how incorporating interactive play into training supercharges results and makes people and dogs happy! Let’s explore five compelling ways… Continued

Hoof Care for Fearful Equids with Michelle Martiya

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In this special episode, Niki Tudge hosts Equid Division Chair Michelle Martiya in a discussion about providing hoof care to fearful equids.  Make yourself comfortable and enjoy the discussion! Listen to the podcast here on a choice of platforms.  Or, you can click on the play button below to listen to the episode now! Recorded May 21, 2025.

PPG Advocacy Panel: Avoid Pet Regret—Helping Families Find Their Ideal Pet

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In this episode, the PPG Advocacy Panel discusses ways to help families find their ideal pet … and avoid pet regret!  Your host/moderator: ⁠PPG Advocacy Task Force⁠ Chair Don Hanson Your panelists: Tasha Attwood, Allison Hunter-Frederick, Pat Miller, and Dayle Pierce Make yourself comfortable and enjoy the discussion! Listen to the podcast here on a choice of platforms.  Or, you can click on the play button below to listen to the episode now! Recorded May 21, 2025. Find out more about future Advocacy Panel topics and dates.

Chat & Chuckle with Frania Shelley-Grielen About Introducing Cats and Inter-Cat Aggression

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Join Laura Cassiday and Joanna Wachovia-Finlaison as they chat and chuckle with Frania Shelley-Grielen about introducing cats, inter-cat aggression, and other topics related to multi-cat households. Frania Shelley-Grielen is a professional animal behaviorist, dog trainer, and educator who holds a Masters Degrees in Animal Behavior from Hunter College and a Masters Degree in Urban Planning from New York University, complimenting her insight into behavior with an in-depth understanding of the built environment. She is a licensed Pet Care Technician Instructor, a registered therapy dog handler, a certified Doggone safe Bite… Continued

Unlocking the Power of Data to Improve Puppy Training Outcomes

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Did you know that just by training your puppy, you could be helping to improve the future of dog training for everyone? Your Puppy Training Journey Could Help Shape the Future Zigzag-the world’s leading puppy training app-supports hundreds of thousands of active puppy guardians each year, offering bite-sized, science-backed training plans tailored to each dog’s age, breed, and personality. But what you might not know is that these experiences—every wobble, every win, every “oops, we chewed the sofa again”—is helping to build a clearer picture of what puppy guardians really… Continued

Learn How to Get a Pet Professional Accreditation Board (PPAB) Credential

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In this episode of the PPG Podcast, Niki Tudge and Rebekah King walk you through the process of getting a credential through the Pet Professional Accreditation Board (PPAB). Whether you are transferring your current credential to a PPAB credential or earning a PPAB credential outright, Niki and Rebekah answer the most commonly asked questions about the process. Tune in now and get started on your journey to a PPAB credential! Click here to listen to the episode on your choice of platforms! Or simply click on the play button below… Continued

Balancing Health and Business

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In this article, the experts at dogbiz share tips for dog trainers who may be struggling with balancing their health and running their dog training business. Ask dogbiz Q: Hi dogbiz, I’ve been struggling to find the right balance between my health and running my dog training business. I’ve had some health issues that can flare up from time to time, and I worry about letting my clients down when I need to cancel appointments. I want to be reliable, but I also need to take care of myself. How… Continued

Chat & Chuckle with Frania Shelley-Grielen About “Behavior Matters for Cats and Dogs”

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Join Niki Tudge as she chats and chuckles with Frania Shelley-Grielen about her book, Behavior Matters for Cats and Dogs, winner of the Dog Writers of America’s “Best Behavior Book 2024” and the Dogwise “Best Book of 2024.” Niki and Frania discussed both the cat and dog sections of the book and snippets from the chapters on aggression, dog bite prevention, and some of the individual cat and dog skills. Frania Shelley-Grielen is a professional animal behaviorist, dog trainer, and educator who holds a Masters Degrees in Animal Behavior from Hunter… Continued

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