Data and facts on the efforts to improve dog owner education, training and socialization for our dogs.
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Education Campaigns: Campaign Effectiveness
Dog Training: Landscape Overview | Standardization & Accreditation
Highlights
Education Campaigns
Campaign Effectiveness
Jump to: RSPCA UK Campaign
Effectiveness of A Dog Welfare Campaign in the UK
External link:
Philpotts I, Blackwell EJ, Dillon J, Rooney NJ. Do Animal Welfare Education Campaigns Really Work? An Evaluation of the RSPCA’s #DogKind Campaign in Raising Awareness of Separation-Related Behaviours in UK Dog Owners. Animals. 2024; 14(3):484. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14030484
Awareness and Engagement
- Only 21.0% of respondents are aware of the Separation-Related Behaviour (SRB) campaign
- Of those respondents, 81.6% reported that they had engaged with the campaign
| Campaign Discovery: Of those aware of the campaign (n=207) | % |
|---|---|
| RSPCA website | 41.1 |
| RSPCA newsletter | 35.2 |
| 47.3 | |
| 29.5 | |
| 27.5 | |
| Google or another search engine | 16.9 |
| RSPCA stall at an event | 10.6 |
| RSPCA clinic or rehoming centre | 9.2 |
| Posters or leaflets | 2.9 |
| Can’t remember | 1.9 |
| Engagement by method (n = 169), % | ||
|---|---|---|
| Watched video on the website | 53.8 | |
| Seen and shared Tweet(s) | 40.2 | |
| Read information on the website | 35.5 | |
| Read blogs | 30.8 | |
| Seen and shared Facebook posts | 29.6 | |
| Picked up a leaflet | 23.7 | |
| Given a leaflet to someone they know | 14.8 | |
| Visited an RSCPA stall at an event to discuss SRB | 12.4 | |
| Visited an RSCPA clinic or rehoming centre at an event to discuss SRB | 6.5 | |
| Told someone they know about the campaign | 3.6 | |
| Other | 0 | |
Changes in Awareness and Behaviour
| Before Campaign | Six Months After | |
|---|---|---|
| Awareness of SRB | 52.5% | 56.8% |
| Belief: Average time a dog could be left alone (hours) | ||
| Average | 5.88 | 6.08 |
| Occasional | 11.77 | 12.38 |
| Average time respondents left their dogs alone (hours) | ||
| Average | 5.25 | 5.17 |
| Occasional | 7.44 | 7.96 |
| Happiness of dog when alone | 6.08 | 6.22 |
| How much does SRB affect a dog’s happiness | 3.15 | 3.21 |
| Importance of seeking help for a dog suffering SRB | 4.42 | 4.42 |
| How likely they would seek help if dogs showed signs of SRB | 3.15 | 3.19 |
| Likely to seek help from a vet | 63.2% | 61.9% |
| Likely to seek help from a behaviourist | 41.4% | 45% |
| Reported seeking for help | ||
| From a vet | 29.5% | 31.4% |
| From books | 12.5% | 14.9% |
Source of Help
| Heard of #DogKind % (n = 207) | Not Heard of #DogKind % (n = 781) | |
|---|---|---|
| Have Sought or Would Seek Help | ||
| Vet | ||
| Have sought help | 56.6 | 24.7 |
| Would seek help | 46.9 | 65.9 |
| Vet nurse | ||
| Have sought help | 39.1 | 11.5 |
| Would seek help | 58.5 | 62.2 |
| Behaviourist | ||
| Have sought help | 32.9 | 5.2 |
| Would seek help | 48.8 | 44.0 |
| Accredited behaviourist | ||
| Have sought help | 38.6 | 3.1 |
| Would seek help | 53.6 | 38.5 |
| Trainer | ||
| Have sought help | 31.4 | 6.0 |
| Would seek help | 51.2 | 45.1 |
| Accredited trainer | ||
| Have sought help | 29.5 | 3.8 |
| Would seek help | 55.6 | 41.7 |
Research Summary | Back to Top
Dog Training
Landscape Overview
Canada
Jump to: Dog Training Businesses in BC
Dog Training Business Landscape in B.C.
External link:
Camila Cavalli, Chris Dunnett, Nicole Fenwick, Characteristics of dog training companies and their services in British Columbia, Canada, Journal of Veterinary Behavior, Volume 77, 2025, Pages 30-41, ISSN 1558-7878, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2024.12.002
Dog Training Methods and Services
| Category | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Method | ||
| Reward-based | The website mentions use of reward-based training exclusively (including “positive training” and the use of treats or play) and no mention of aversive-based or balanced training (including mention of prong, choke or shock collars, or pictures of dogs wearing them). | 72.24% |
| Aversive-based | The website mentions aversive-based or balanced training (including mention of prong, choke or shock collars, or pictures of dogs wearing them). If website mentions both reward-based training and aversive or balanced training it is categorized as Aversive-based | 14.59% |
| Unclear | There is not enough information on the website to confirm if the training is reward-based or aversive-based | 13.16% |
| Number of trainers | ||
| 1 – 10, unclear | Number of trainers in the business. If the website does not specify and there is no mention of multiple trainers, it is assumed the business has 1 trainer. If the website mentions more than one trainer but the actual number is not available, this information is considered “unclear”. | 1: 71.53% 2: 8.89% 3: 5.33% 4: 1.06% 5: 2.49% 6: 2.13% 7: 0.35% 8: 0.71% 9: 0.00% 10:0.71% Unclear: 6.76% |
| Mode of training | ||
| In-person Group Training | Business offers in person group classes | 63.70% |
| In-person Private Training | Business offers in person one-on-one classes | 86.12% |
| Online Group | Business offers online synchronous group classes | 3.55% |
| Online Private | Business offers online synchronous one-on-one classes | 34.16% |
| Self-paced Videos | Business offers access to pre-recorded videos, without synchronous interaction | 10.32% |
| Board-and-Train | Business offers training without the guardian present while the dog resides with the trainer | 15.65% |
| Day Training | Business offers training without the guardian present (at a facility, the dog’s home or during walks) | 18.86% |
| Type of training service | ||
| Basic Training | Business offers ‘puppy’ classes/programs, training on manners, and/or recall training | 88.25% |
| Behavioral Modification | Business offers training for behavioral concerns (e.g., fear, reactivity, aggression, etc.) | 67.61% |
| Dog Sports | Business offers dog sports training (e.g., trick training, agility, nosework, herding, etc.) | 39.50% |
| Separation Anxiety | Business offers specific training for separation anxiety | 6.40% |
| Service and Therapy Dog Training | Business offers specific training for service or therapy dogs | 4.62% |
| Other pet services | ||
| Offers Other Service | Business offers any other pet services besides training | 24.19% |
| Boarding | Business offers overnight care at a facility | 9.96% |
| Cat training | Business offers training for cats | 0.71% |
| Cosmetic dental scaling | Business offers “anesthesia-free” dental procedures from a non-veterinarian | 0.71% |
| Daycare | Business offers care during the day at a facility | 9.25% |
| Grooming | Business offers grooming procedures (i.e., baths, haircuts, etc.) | 4.62% |
| Pet sitting | Business offers care at the dog’s home | 4.27% |
| Walking | Business offers dog walking | 9.60% |
Credentials
- Lack of Specified Credentials: 30.96% of businesses did not explicitly mention the lead trainer’s qualifications.
- Vague Claims of Certification: Within the above percentage, 5.33% of businesses used terms like “certified” or “professional trainer/instructor” without referencing specific, verifiable credentials.
| Organization | Acronym | Examples of Credential(s) offered | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Absolute Dogs Academy | None | Pro Dog Trainer course | 3.20% |
| Academy for Dog Trainers | None | Certificate in Training and Counselling (CTC) | 4.62% |
| AnimalKind | None | AnimalKind accreditation | 12.45% |
| Animal Behavior College | ABC | Animal Behavior College Certified Dog Trainer (ABCDT) | 3.55% |
| Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers | CCPDT | Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA), Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge and Skills Assessed (CPDT – KSA), Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-Knowledge Assessed (CBCC – KA) | 25.62% |
| Companion Animal Sciences Institute | CASI | Diploma of Canine Behavior Science and Technology (Dip.CBST), Diploma of Professional Dog Training (Dip.PDT) | 2.49% |
| Do More with Your Dog | None | Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI) | 7.82% |
| Family Dog Mediation Education Center | None | Family Dog Mediator | 4.62% |
| Fear Free | None | Fear Free certified trainer | 16.37% |
| International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants | IAABC | Accredited Dog Trainer (IAABC-ADT), Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), Certified Animal Behavior Consultant (CABC) | 6.76% |
| Julie Naismith | None | Separation Anxiety Pro Behavior Consultant (SA Pro) | 4.27% |
| Karen Pryor Academy | KPA | Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP), Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer Professional (KPA-DTP), Puppy Start Right for Instructors | 14.23% |
| Malena DeMartini | None | Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT) | 2.13% |
| Michael Shikashio | None | Aggression in Dogs Master Course | 2.49% |
| National Association of Canine Scent Work | NACSW | Certified Nose Work Instructor (CNWI) | 3.55% |
| Unspecified | None | Master Trainer | 6.40% |
Other
- Female-Led Businesses: 80.78% (227 businesses) appeared to be led by women.
- Male-Led Businesses: 13.16% (37 businesses) appeared to be led by men.
- Unclear or Mixed-Gender Leadership: 6.04% (17 businesses) had unclear gender identification or featured mixed-gender training partnerships.
Research Summary | Back to Top
UK
Jump to: Use of UK Canine Professionals
Dog Owners Reporting on their Use of UK Canine Professionals
External link:
Julie T. Daniels, Debbie Busby, Margo Chase-Topping, Sarah M. Brown, A survey of dog behavior modification practice in the UK: Who is offering it, what methods are they using and how effective do their clients perceive practitioners to be?, Journal of Veterinary Behavior, Volume 59, 2023, Pages 1-7, ISSN 1558-7878, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2022.11.011
Frequency of Unwanted Behaviors
- Aggression towards other dogs/animals was the most frequently reported behavior (28.6%).
- Obedience-related issues were the second most common (21.8%).
- Fearfulness was the third most common (14.0%).
- Aggression (towards other dogs/animals or people) was the primary reason for seeking CP advice in over half of the cases (55.32%).
Number of Unwanted Behaviours Per Dog
- The majority of dogs exhibited one to three unwanted behaviors:
- One behavior: 35.3%
- Two behaviors: 30.6%
- Three behaviors: 23.0%
CP Type Consulted
- Trainers were consulted more frequently for all behaviors except:
- Aggression towards humans
- Separation-related problems
| Demographic | Category | Proportion of respondents (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Client sex | Female | 86.81 |
| Male | 13.19 | |
| Role of dog | Pet | 99.57 |
| Working | 0.43 | |
| No. CPs consulted | 1 | 48.51 |
| 2 | 26.8 | |
| 3 | 16.6 | |
| >3 | 8.09 | |
| Canine professional type most recently consulted | Veterinarian | 1.7 |
| Dog trainer | 62.13 | |
| Behaviorist | 36.17 | |
| Canine professional sex | Female | 58.3 |
| Male | 41.7 | |
| Consultation type | In person | 87.66 |
| Remote | 12.34 |
Research Summary | Back to Top
Standardization & Accreditation
Jump to: New Zealand
New Zealand
Jump to: Survey on Industry Perspective
Industry Perspective on National Accreditation for Animal Trainers
External Link:
Skyner LJ, Cameron KE, Dale A, Walker JK. The Need for a National Accreditation Programme for Professionals Working in the Field of Animal Training and Behavioural Modification in New Zealand. Animals. 2020; 10(7):1111. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10071111
Demographics of 262 Survey Participants
- Gender:
- Female: 88.8%
- Male: 10.3%
- 19 of 27 male respondents were animal trainers.
- Age:
- Over 55 years: 41.1%
- 45-54 years: 24.3%
- Education:
- Tertiary Certificate/Diploma: 40.1%
- Bachelor’s Degree: 22.9%
- High School Certificate/Equivalent: 15.7%
Roles
- Animal Trainers:
- Specialization: 29.5% of animal trainers specialized in working with a specific species:
- 88.2% with dogs
- 7.8% with horses
- 3.9% with cats
- Training Methods:
- Group classes: 74.0%
- One-on-one sessions: 54.3%
- Both group and one-on-one: 36.8%
- Services:
- Behavioral modification (animals): 30.6%
- Behavioral modification (clients): 37.0%
- Training animals for clients: 28.9%
- Specialized problem behavior: 30.1%
- All of the above: 13.9%
- Specialization: 29.5% of animal trainers specialized in working with a specific species:
- Veterinary Nurses:
- Behavioral Services:
- Puppy preschool: 72.2%
- Behavioral consultations: 22.2%
- Animal training: 19.4%
- Problem behavior treatment: 5.5%
- Behavioral Services:
- Veterinarians:
- Behavioral Services: (45.0% of veterinarians provided this information)
- Behavioral consultations: 30.0%
- Animal training: 15.0%
- Problem behavior assessment/treatment: 5.0%
- Behavioral Services: (45.0% of veterinarians provided this information)
Membership to an Organization
- Overall Membership:
- 49.6% of respondents offering behavioral services were members of an animal training club or organization.
- Animal Trainers:
- 58.4% of trainers with organizational membership supported accreditation.
- 19.9% of trainers with membership were not supportive or unsure.
- 44.9% of rainers without membership were interested in accreditation.
- 55.1% trainers without membership were not interested or unsure.
- Specific Organizations:
- 41.5% of trainers belonged to APDTNZ.
- 77.8% of APDTNZ members were interested in accreditation.
- 33.38% of trainers belonged to a dog club or Dogs New Zealand.
- 31.8% of these members were interested in accreditation.
- 24.6% of trainers belonged to other companion animal-related organizations.
- 41.5% of trainers belonged to APDTNZ.
Level of Support for Accreditation
- Overall:
- 63.0% (165/262) of respondents expressed interest in accreditation.
- 9.5% (25/262) were not interested.
- 26.0% (68/262) were unsure.
- By Profession:
- Animal trainers had the highest level of uncertainty or disinterest (43.0%).
- Other professions had lower rates of disinterest or uncertainty (<13.4%).
- By Education:
- Respondents with tertiary qualifications (certificates or higher) showed higher support (68.1%) than those with high school certificates (64.5%).
Referring Clients
- Referral Practices: 76.3% of animal trainers reported referring clients to other professionals.
- Preference for Accredited Professionals: 79.8% of respondents preferred to refer clients to accredited professionals.
Training Methods
- Reward-Based Training:
- The majority of respondents across all professions primarily utilized reward-based training methods.
- A significant proportion of animal trainers (59.3%), behavioral consultants (93.8%), dog safety educators (81.3%), and veterinary nurses (61.1%) explicitly avoided aversive training techniques.
- Some animal trainers (20.9%) and veterinary nurses (13.9%) reported using a combination of reward-based and aversive methods, but only when reward-based approaches were deemed insufficient.
- No participant exclusively relied on aversive training methods.