The Cooperative Paws SDC® program was designed for experienced professional dog trainers who are committed to a positive (force free) training approach. Admission to the program is selective, see prerequisites below. Note: our on-demand courses do not have prerequisites and are open to everyone.
Dianne Keck KPA-CTP, SDC
NeuroDog Training, Arizona, USAProfessional dog training education and credentials. Applicants must have a strong foundation in positive, reward-based training methods, including clicker training for basic to intermediate behaviors.
One (or more) industry credentials from the list below is required:
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- CPDT-KA (or other credential from CCPDT),
- CDBC, IAABC-ADT (IAABC dog behavior/training credentials)
- CDT (CATCH Academy)
- CTC (The Academy for Dog Trainers)
- Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT)
- Delta Institute Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training
- Dogma Certified Trainer or Certified Behavior Consultant
- AVT Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training
- Fear Free Certified Trainer
- Institute for Modern Dog Trainers member (IMDT Australia and UK)
- Karen Pryor Academy (KPA, KPA-CTP)
- PCT-A, PCBC-A (PPAB credentials)
- Pat Miller Certified Trainer (PMCT)
- San Francisco Dog Training Internship Academy certificate
- Victoria Stilwell Academy (VSA)
- Veterinary Behavior Credential (DACVB)
- Veterinary Behavior Technician Specialist
- Animal Behavior Society Credential (CAAB, ACAAB)
- University of Washington Certificate in Applied Animal Behavior
International applicants if your credential is not listed…
/For international applicants with unlisted credentials, please contact us with:
- Credential/program name, completion date, scan/pdf of certificate or transcript.
- Program’s website for curriculum details.
- Instructors’ names, their credentials, and information links.
Please note we only recognize education if we are able to verify details about the program online and determine that it is consistent with our positive training approach and of sufficient depth.
Applicants are expected to be well-versed in modern, reward-based training methods. Applicants are expected to be well-versed in modern, reward-based training methods and to demonstrate a commitment to ongoing learning through diverse continuing education opportunities.
Examples of continuing education recognized…
/Webinars, workshops, courses and conferences (virtual or in person) approved for CEUs by organizations like the CPDT, IAABC, KPA, PPAB and other organizations (see recognized industry credentials above). Please note these are examples, trainers are not expected to have attended all of these events. Most credentialed professional trainers typically engage in one or two continuing education activities per year (virtually or in person) for ongoing professional development.
Committed to positive, force-free training. Applicants need to use modern, reward-based training techniques supported by science. The use of aversive tools such as e-collars, prong collars, or choke chains, is not accepted.
Hands-on professional dog training experience: Hands-on experience offering professional dog training using reward-based methods. A minimum of approximately one year working with dogs and clients is required. Applicants need to demonstrate knowledge of correct clicker training mechanics.
Experience evaluating dog behavior. This may be informal, in the context of offering private training lessons with dog training clients or it may be formal such as evaluating shelter dogs, rescue dogs, or assessing therapy dogs or service dogs.
Additionally to be successful in the course you will need
To be able to use basic technologies for an online course – email, file sharing (i.e. Dropbox, Google Drive), downloading/opening/closing files, online forms, and recording/sharing video using a smart phone.
Access to an appropriate dog for the course – an “easy to train,” food motivated, healthy dog that you have daily access to is recommended. You will need to submit video of your work training the dog to complete the course. The dog does not need to be appropriate for service work, all of the training can occur in your home or in a training facility. However, you will be training advanced, complex behavior chains, so the dog should enjoy frequent training sessions. Read more about the dog needed.