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<div>Here’s my quick code of ethical conduct.</div>
Foundation style trainers endeavor to ethically improve the quality of life for both the owner’s and K-9’s through a fair exchange and incorporating Least Invasive Minimal Aversive strategy to illicit improved communication, competency, and co-operation between K-9 and owner.
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1. Respect: Treat all clients (clients referring to dog and owner) ethically honoring the diversity of personalities in individuals and temperaments of the breeds by tailoring training to individual learning speed.
Respect should include:
A) Honesty with the client on achieving their goals
B) Transparency of training methods and competency
C) Confidentiality in all aspects when dealing with a client unless given express permission
D) Accountability in all areas of training, care, and advisement.
2. Integrity: Treat each client, and situation with same courtesy, as all others. Understanding by incorporating Least Intrusive Minimally Averse treatment we show respect for the owners situation as well as the dog, and exhibit the integrity to go at the needed pace for each.
A) To the best of our ability work with the clients to speedily help them reach their goals while simultaneously keeping in mind and informing them beforehand each dog has it’s own pace.
3. Loyalty to the profession, K-9 advocacy, and client can be should be exhibited at all times even with a willingness to refer to another trainer who may have experience necessary to assist them in achieving their training goals if we lack said ability.
4. Objective: in the capability of the dog, and client to reach stated goals in timeframe they hope to achieve it.
A) Objective honesty with the owner in capability of their dog breed to achieve goals of the owner.
5. Be Responsible: Both in the industry, and personal actions by erring on the side of caution in consults, actions, and advice.
6. Refrain from discussion of other trainers, and focus on the task at hand.
7. Responsibility: Have a sense of responsibility in meeting the needs of owner and dog.
In coming to a FSDT they have shown a belief in our competency to show them a path to achieving a happier and better behaved dog, as such to the best of our ability we should be responsible enough to maintain the availability to help them through to the end.
A) Diplomatically Instill in the owner a responsibility to meet the drives and needs of their dog.
8. Safety: Ensure to fully inform the owners, of any precautions necessary so general public, owner, handlers, and bystanders are always safe.
9. Stewardship: As a dog trainer we need to recognize we are stewards not only of an industry, but also advocates for better quality of life for both owners and dogs; In doing so we are also being stewards of our industry and unethical treatment, ill-advised information can tarnish, the individual trainer, the Foundation, and industry in general
10. Fairness: Instill in those we work with a sense of fairness regarding their relationship with their dog to promote better quality of life and co-operation between human and K-9.
Always:
1. Treat others (human and K-9) with same regard as we would want to be treated
2. Advocate for fairness and competency
3. Tailor plans according to specific situation
4. Keep stewardship in mind.
5. Have safety of all on mind
Never:
1. Give a definite time line you can’t keep. We are working with different temperaments and personalities.
2. Give off hand advice without a consult and evaluating personally
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