Training Technician – A definition

A Technician is skilled in the manual application of science and artistic endeavor and delivers results through empathy and mutual respect for both client and pet.

At this level, the Technician is capable of teaching pet manners classes with the knowledge of their own limitations in resolving behavior problems due to a lack of experience and/or further study. They have the ability to understand when a referral to a more qualified professional is necessary. This individual may operate a business specializing in group training services and/or work with, or for, a more qualified professional.

Professional Canine Trainer - A definition

A Trainer is skilled in the application of science and artistic endeavour and delivers results through empathy and mutual respect for both client and pet, and also teaches obedience classes, pet manners classes, day training, private training sessions, and board and train programs that focuses primarily on pet dog skills and manners.

This level of service to the community would offer similar abilities as the Technician, but with a deeper understanding of the scientific principles involved in training, as well as the ability to better understand and assist with minor behavioral problems and the knowledge of appropriate referral to an animal behavior consultant when necessary.

Professional Canine Behavior Consultant -  A definition

A Behavior Consultant is a professional who undertakes private consultations with pets and their owners and focuses primarily on modifying behavior problems that are elicited by the animal’s emotional state in a given context (e.g. fear, anxiety). Behavior Consultants are often professional dog trainers who can competently teach pet manners classes, obedience classes, day training, private training sessions, and board and train programs that focus on pet dog skills and manners.

For the purposes of this description, a Behavior Consultant is defined as a behavior and training professional skilled in the application of science and artistic endeavour who delivers results through empathy and mutual respect for both client and pet. The Behavior Consultant is aware of their limitations in terms of ability to prescribe psychotropic or any other kind of medication and diagnose illness, as well as their ethical responsibility in such cases, and can refer to a Veterinarian or Board Certified Veterinary Behaviourist with greater academic and expansive knowledge.

It is considered unethical in pet counselling for a professional to engage in any discussion regarding the diagnosis or treatment of an illness, physical or mental. Only Veterinarians or Board Certified Veterinary Behaviourists are authorized to do this through the license and qualifications they hold.