Reply To: Member's Create Our Code of Conduct Here

[Hailey Mott]

Comparing & Contrasting the IACP and APDT:

In reviewing the codes of conduct, each organization comes off as as credible, professional and advocates for humane practices; it’s really just a matter of where your values and training styles align with more. Between both, there is a lot of overlap in important areas:

1. Honesty
• Give clients honest feedback and opinions
• Avoid guaranteed statements and create realistic training plans
• Create transparency in your services (do not deceive your clients)
• Be honest about your skillset and credentials
• Adhere to the promised training plan and schedule
2. Respect
• Respect clients and how they manage, handle and care for their dogs
• Respect your clients in how you speak to and teach them
• Respect the public and local laws and spaces
• Respect the code of conduct that you serve
3. Inclusiveness
• Be respectful and inclusive to all clients, no matter the race, age, sex, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disability, gender, health status, religion, political beliefs, national origin, or sexual orientation
4. Competency
• Ensure that as a trainer you take on only clients that you have the skillset and expertise for
• Assess and recognize when it’s best to recommend another professional for the job
• Serve customers with proper time, care and attention
• Set your clients up for success
5. Empathy
• Listen and understand your client and their dog’s unique needs
• Adjust and create custom training plans accordingly
6. Professionalism
• Act professionally, as you are a reflection of the organization, the dog training industry and your own business
7. Continued education
• Continue to further your education — increase knowledge, skills and experience
• Stay current and remain open-minded/respectful to other training methods
8. Confidentiality
• Do not release documentation, advertising, client conversations, etc. without their consent
9. Humanity
• Use minimally aversive methods and humane practices
10. Follow your respective codes of conduct & report members who do not adhere

Overall, I found the APDT’s code of conduct to be easier to read through, more strict and detailed, with a variety of topics included. It’s clear that positive reinforcement practices are on the forefront. However, I believe that their mentions of LIMA can be a grey area and should be updated.

It states that trainers should minimize aversives and promote LIMA training. If you are not following this, there is a system for filing complaints and it is taken very seriously. This is great because it encourages safe practices, but due to the lack of details of what this entails, this could cause subjectivity when it comes to the choice of tools. More of an antidote/example to clarify: I’ve heard stories of APDT certified trainers who have had complaints filed against them for what they believed to be minimally aversive, but the trainer filing the complaint disagreed. To ensure objectivity and minimize biases within this organization, clarity is needed. Are they using Steven Lindsay’s LIMA or a modified version? Currently, their site has more information about filing a LIMA-based complaint against an APDT member than explaining how to follow it.

In comparison, the IACP’s code of conduct is more broad. My inference is that the broad nature is intentional; a way to give their trainers more flexibility on their methods, tools and training opinions (this could also be seen as positive or negative). The IACP seems business-forward. While their code of conduct feels less intimidating to me with more freedom, it also seems less written with care — or possibly generic — due to it’s short nature (versus the APDT’s). It could benefit from adding a few rules that the APDT has that I found valuable:

• Encourage trainers to document everything and have contracts
• Have liability insurance
• Be aware of and avoid conflicts of interest
• Give advice/rules related to branding, logos, advertising, copyrights, and more

These small admin and business-related details could save a trainer from a lawsuit.

Additionally, I loved the APDT’s focus on collaboration with their client’s vets/other related professionals and ensuring a holistic, cross-care approach. I believe that no matter the organization, this should be of importance.