The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) is a professional organization of individual dog trainers who are committed to becoming better trainers through education.

The APDT offers individual pet dog trainers a respected and concerted voice in the dog world. We continue to promote professional trainers to the veterinary profession and to increase public awareness of dog friendly training techniques.

The APDT created the Code of Professional Conduct and Responsibility (the "Code") to set forth aspirations and guidelines for APDT members of all levels to provide outstanding service and pursue continuing education. It is the hope of the APDT that the Code will also provide owners of pet dogs with the confidence that APDT trainers are knowledgeable, caring and conscientious and will help them achieve their training goals through the use of dog-friendly training.

As a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), I will strive to:

• Provide honest, professional services of the highest standards.
• Develop and apply training programs in line with the APDT’s mission of advocating dog-friendly training.
• Assess my own knowledge, experience and qualifications and work within my professional limits.
• Continue professional development by reading relevant material; attending conferences, workshops and seminars; and pursuing other educational opportunities.
• Treat all dogs and clients with respect, taking into account their physical and psychological well-being and respecting clients’ wishes regarding the training of their dogs.
• Refrain from representing dog training and behavioral information as scientific, unless the information is derived from legitimate research.
• Refrain from giving guarantees regarding the outcome of training, because there is no sure way to guarantee the cooperation and performance of all parties involved and because the knowledge of animal behavior is incomplete. This should not be confused with a desire to guarantee client satisfaction with professional services.
• Respect the privacy of my clients and hold in confidence all information obtained in the course of professional services, unless otherwise agreed upon in advance. I will use discretion in revealing information regarding dogs displaying potentially dangerous behavior.
• Incorporate what it means to be a responsible dog owner into training programs.
• Be respectful of colleagues and other professionals and not falsely condemn the character of their professional acts.

While the Code sets forth aspirations, and not obligations, any APDT member who is found to have been found civilly liable for or convicted of charges involving:

• cruelty, abuse or neglect to animals or humans;
• crimes against humanity including but not limited to any violent crimes (i.e. murder, kidnapping), assault or endangerment of the lives of others;
• burglary, robbery, arson;
• business fraud, plagiarism or copyright infringement, slander or libel, shall have his/her membership terminated immediately as provided by the APDT by-laws.

Member applicants who are found to have been convicted of any of these crimes will have their applications denied. Such applicants are welcomed and encouraged, however, to take advantage of the review and appeal process to present evidence of rehabilitation that may be sufficient to reverse the denial.

Furthermore, any APDT member who represents him or herself as an official spokesperson for the APDT without prior written approval of the Board of Directors shall have his/her membership terminated immediately as provided by the APDT by-laws.

The relationship between dog trainers and veterinarians must be cooperative for the benefit of dogs and their people. It is required that APDT members understand that medical diagnosis, prognosis, prescription of, or recommendations for, administering medication are all part of veterinary medicine and not the dog training profession.  Any and all suspected medical problems must be referred to a veterinarian before beginning or continuing a relationship with a client. 

Finally, if any member is found to be acting in a manner that is egregiously inconsistent with this Code or the general mission of APDT, APDT shall have the right to terminate his/her membership after a fair and reasonable adjudication.

Any member or member applicant who wishes to appeal the termination of his/her membership or refusal of his/her membership application and have APDT reconsider its action may do so by providing relevant information to a committee appointed by the Board of Directors. This committee shall review the relevant information in a timely manner and provide the member/member applicant with a determination based on its findings.

International Association of Assistance Dog Partners (IAADP)