Three Things to Know
New Zealand currently lacks a national accreditation program for dog training and behavior modification professionals. Researchers conducted an online survey to gauge support for a national accreditation program for dog training and behavior modification professionals.
The study revealed that over 60% of respondents supported the establishment of such a program. Notably, professionals with higher education and those affiliated with animal training clubs expressed greater enthusiasm for accreditation. Furthermore, the survey indicated a strong preference among respondents for referring clients to accredited professionals.
However, the survey also highlighted a significant concern: animal trainers were more likely to utilize aversive training methods and exhibited the lowest level of interest in the proposed accreditation program, particularly when it emphasized reward-based training principles. Addressing these concerns and fostering greater engagement among animal trainers is crucial for the successful implementation of a national accreditation program in New Zealand.
For Dog Welfare Practitioners:
Accreditation for dog training professionals can be a complex and potentially contentious issue. Concerns may arise regarding the need to adapt existing practices and the increased demands on professionals for continuous self-improvement. However, accreditation offers several significant advantages. It can enhance the quality of services offered by dog training professionals, showcasing their professional knowledge and distinguishing their offerings from “the neighbour’s trick”. Moreover, accreditation can provide an opportunity for professionals to increase their fees and revenue.
Therefore, open and constructive dialogue about accreditation is crucial. Dog shelters and veterinary practices, which often employ and refer dog trainers, play a vital role in this process. Their active participation can significantly contribute to the successful implementation of an accreditation program and ultimately lead to improved dog welfare within the community.
The Full Picture
Dogs play a significant role in New Zealand society, often requiring training to coexist harmoniously with humans. While various training methods exist, many rely on outdated and potentially harmful practices like punishment and aversive techniques. Despite legal recognition of animal sentience in New Zealand, the animal training industry remains largely unregulated, lacking a national accreditation body to ensure ethical and standardized practices.
This lack of oversight presents challenges for pet owners seeking professional guidance. Even veterinarians, often seen as trusted sources of animal-related advice, may lack formal training in animal behavior. A national accreditation program could address these issues by ensuring that training techniques prioritize animal welfare, promote ethical practices, and consider the well-being of pet owners.
This study, titled “The Need for a National Accreditation Programme for Professionals Working in the Field of Animal Training and Behavioural Modification in New Zealand,” investigates the industry’s readiness for such a program.
Study Methods
To assess industry opinions and readiness for accreditation, a survey was conducted in September 2019. Participants included animal trainers, veterinarians, veterinary nurses, behavioral consultants, and dog safety educators. The survey covered demographics, qualifications, professional memberships, referral practices, and perspectives on the proposed accreditation program, including interest in obtaining personal accreditation. Specific questions were tailored to each profession, such as inquiring about the types of training provided by animal trainers.
Study Results
The study included responses from 262 professionals currently providing training or behavioral services. This comprised 173 animal trainers, 15 behavioral consultants, 18 dog safety educators, 20 veterinarians, and 36 veterinary nurses. The majority of respondents were aged over 55 (41%) or between 45-54 years old (24%). Most held tertiary qualifications, with 40% possessing certificates or diplomas and 23% holding bachelor’s degrees.
Among the 173 animal trainers, 30% specialized in working with a specific species, with dogs being the primary focus (88.2%). Veterinary nurses exhibited a higher specialization rate (78%), with 89% specializing in dogs and smaller percentages working with horses, rabbits, cats, and birds.
Support For A National Accreditation Program
Overall, the majority of respondents (63.0%) expressed interest in a national accreditation program. However, a significant proportion (26.0%) were unsure, and 9.5% were uninterested. Notably, animal trainers exhibited the highest level of uncertainty or disinterest (43.0%), while other professions showed lower rates (<13.4%).
Support for accreditation varied across different groups:
- Individuals with higher education (tertiary qualifications) were slightly more likely to favor accreditation (68%) than those with secondary school diplomas (65%).
- Membership in an animal training club or organization was also associated with greater support, with 67% of members in favor compared to 59% of non-members.
- Furthermore, trainers with diverse roles, such as those offering both group and individual classes or specializing in behavioral modification, showed higher interest in accreditation (74.1%) than those primarily focused on group classes (57%).
Referral Preferences
The findings indicate a strong emphasis on client referrals within the animal training and behavior industry in New Zealand. A substantial majority of respondents across all professions – animal trainers (76.3%), behavioral consultants (73.3%), dog safety educators (86.7%), veterinarians (85.0%), and veterinary nurses (97.2%) – reported referring clients to other professionals when necessary. Furthermore, there was a clear preference for referring clients to practitionrs with national accreditation, with a resounding 79.8% of respondents expressing this preference.
Training Methods and Support for Accreditation
The study revealed a strong preference for reward-based training methods among animal professionals. A significant majority of respondents, including 59.3% of animal trainers, 93.8% of behavioral consultants, 81.3% of dog safety educators, and 61.1% of veterinary nurses, explicitly avoided the use of aversive training techniques. While some animal trainers (20.9%) and veterinary nurses (13.9%) reported utilizing a combination of reward-based and aversive methods, aversive techniques were generally employed only when reward-based approaches were deemed ineffective. Notably, no participant exclusively relied on aversive training methods.
Although animal trainers generally expressed support for accreditation (57%), they were more likely than other professionals to utilize aversive training methods and showed less enthusiasm for the program’s emphasis on reward-based ethical principles.
Conclusion
A national accreditation program for animal training and behavior professionals in New Zealand has the potential to significantly enhance the industry. By establishing clear standards for qualifications, experience, and ethical conduct, it would increase transparency and facilitate seamless referrals between qualified practitioners. Aligning accreditation standards with reputable tertiary education programs would further strengthen the credibility of scientifically-based, reward-based training methods.
Successful implementation hinges on industry-wide acceptance, comprehensive public education campaigns, and effective marketing strategies to ensure broad adoption and lasting benefits for animal welfare. Given that animal trainers expressed less enthusiasm for accreditation, it is crucial to engage this key stakeholder group. The industry must garner their support by emphasizing the value of accreditation in improving animal welfare through humane and effective training methods.
Miscellaneous
Data From Study:
Owned Dogs > Offering Better Care > Training & Socialization
Year of Publication:
2020
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