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Why Certifications & Education
Matter to Us
At Summit® Dog Training, we place a high value on achieving and maintaining industry-recognized certifications for our trainers. The dog training industry is unregulated, and thus anyone who has trained a dog (and even those who haven’t) can call themselves a “dog trainer.” Because of this, we consider it very important that our trainers have industry credentials to assure our clients that the training services they receive are based on current industry standards and scientifically-sound training principles. In addition, these certifications require periodic continuing education in order to remain certified, thus ensuring that our trainers are always learning new things about dogs in order to better serve our clients. One of our core values is that Learning Never Stops - and each of us on the Summit® team is committed to continuing to educate ourselves on the best dog training and behavior modification practices.
A Note on Dog Trainer Titles
Since dog training is an unregulated industry, there is very little standardization of job titles across training companies, so you’ll see a wide range of titles that have very little meaning when compared to each other. At Summit®, we use the terms “Dog Trainer” and “Behavior Therapist” to describe the skills and expertise that our trainers have - but what’s the difference between these two labels? Here’s how we define these terms for our purposes at Summit®:
Dog Trainer: A dog trainer is a professional who specializes in teaching and guiding dogs to exhibit desired behaviors or train for skills related to the goals that their human family members have for them. At Summit®, all of our dog trainers have at least one industry-recognized professional credential.
Behavior Therapist: A behavior therapist is a dog trainer who has pursued specific education or credentials in behavior problem solving and behavior modification support for common and advanced behavior challenges that many dog owners face. At Summit®, all of our dog trainers have a wealth of knowledge for solving many behavior challenges; however, you’ll see the “Behavior Therapist” title added to our team members who specialize in behavior modification and routinely support our most challenging behavior cases.
Common Certifications Held by Summit® Dog Trainers
You can click the + buttons to learn more about each credential.
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Trainers with this designation are graduates of the Karen Pryor Academy, a leading proponent of science and behavior-based training methods. These trainers must complete continuing education and renew a code of ethics every year in order to remain a Certified Training Partner with the organization.
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Trainers with this designation have passed an independent certification process with the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) testing their knowledge and experience with dogs and training. These trainers must complete continuing education and renew a code of ethics every three years to remain a Certified Professional Dog Trainer with the organization.
The KA designation requires passing a vigorous written exam, and the KSA designation requires passing an additional video evaluation of the instructor's hands-on training skills.
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Trainers with this designation have passed an independent certification process with the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) focused on canine behavior modification. These trainers must complete continuing education and renew a code of ethics every three years to remain a Certified Behavior Consultant Canine with the organization.
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A Family Dog Mediator (FDM) is trained in ethology, focusing on the behavior of domesticated animals and their relationship with humans. Using the L.E.G.S. model—Learning, Environment, Genetics, and Self—they assess the unique factors shaping a dog's behavior. Rather than just addressing specific issues, FDMs take a holistic approach, meeting dogs and families where they are and providing honest, informed guidance to support a harmonious life together.
Learn more about Family Dog Mediation here. -
All Summit Dog Training staff are certified in Pet First Aid & CPR through RECOVER! Our team can recognize and respond to common emergencies until the pet can be evaluated by a veterinarian, keeping your pet safe while in our care. The RECOVER certification process is the ONLY veterinary CPR certification recognized by the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (ACVECC) and Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS). We received this training through Animal EMT.
