The Association of
Professional Dog Trainers
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This category is meant for the same types of individuals in the Professional membership category, but provides additional benefits, services and discounts for members who want to increase their service level from the association. These benefits include a higher rate of discounts for a variety of APDT programs, and additional features on the trainer search, as well as a highlighted trainer listing.
This category is designed for members who are full and part-time trainers and behavior consultants who work for income or as volunteers. These members teach group classes, do private consults, and may work in a shelter, veterinary or other training setting such as service dog, animal assisted intervention, working dog, and sports dog training, to name a few. Benefits include discounts for APDT programs, and a basic listing on the trainer search.
This category is for those who are interested in learning about training and behavior, but who are not trainers. Supporting members would include vendors, allied professionals, veterinary students, veterinary technicians, veterinarians, students and apprentices, groomers, daycare/boarding play group monitors, pet sitters, and shelter workers.
Non-members can subscribe to The APDT Chronicle of the Dog for $50/year for a mailed copy or $25/year for a digital subscription. In addition, Professional Premium members may purchase additional subscriptions at a discounted rate. Subscribe online today!
APDT membership dues and Chronicle of the Dog subscriptions are non-refundable.
Employers must contact the APDT office to obtain the rates below.
$170 (1 Employee)
$165 (2–5 Employees)
$160 (6–10 Employees)
$155 (11+ Employees)
Apply Now$120 (1 Employee)
$115 (2–5 Employees)
$110 (6–10 Employees)
$105 (11+ Employees)
Apply Now$99 (1 Employee)
$94 (2–5 Employees)
$89 (6–10 Employees)
$84 (11+ Employees)
Apply NowEducation is key to being a good dog trainer and at APDT we’re committed to providing the best education available to members and non-members alike. If you’re not quite ready to join, please take a moment to consider taking online courses or subscribing to “Chronicle of the Dog” for valuable and entertaining content.
We will no longer require these certifications. However, in order to list these certifications on your trainer search record, you still will need to verify them with the APDT office first. Only these certifications will appear on your initial trainer search entry as well. A member’s full trainer search entry can list all of the designations and degrees as you wish in detail.
In order to qualify as one of these listed certifications, the criteria is that the certification:
Must be independent of any school or training program;
Require Continuing Education Units to maintain certification;
Must be specifically related to dog training and/or dog behavior; General certifications in animal behavior will require evidence of specific work and study with dogs.
You will be able to list these in your individual trainer search pages. Only certifications that meet the accepted industry standards as a certification will be listed on the initial search listing. In order to qualify as one of these listed certifications, the criteria is that the certification:
Must be independent of any school or training program;
Require Continuing Education Units to maintain certification;
Must be specifically related to dog training and/or dog behavior;
Other designations meet the criteria for a certificate programs but not certifications.
Yes, as long as your certification is verified by the APDT office, it will be listed.
You may do so at any time during the year. Please contact the APDT office for assistance.
At the annual APDT Conference and Trade Show, APDT members can learn, meet, and try out thousands of exciting new canine products, all under one roof. No wonder it’s the highlight of the year for our members.
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