CPDT Policies, Positions, Ethics, and Standards of Practice Flashcards
Position Statement: Electronic Collars and the Humane Hierarchy
The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) recognizes that there are many disciplines in the world of dog training. The CCPDT does not limit its certificant profile to one type of dog trainer or one type of training discipline. With that understanding, the CCPDT does not forbid the use of electronic collars that are used within the constraints of the Humane Hierarchy. (Please see the position statement on the Application of the Humane Hierarchy found in this handbook and at www.ccpdt.org)
The CCPDT believes that the administration of an electric stimulus during training should only be used after all other training options have been considered and rejected. A CCPDT certificant should never authorize or employ the use of electric stimulation as an initial training option. We strongly believe that the use of an electronic collar should be the last form of training considered before its use.
A CCPDT certificant is expected to exhaust all other training strategies before considering the use of an electronic collar.
The CCPDT certificant should attempt or carefully rule out the following training strategies prior the use of electrical stimulation:
Changes in antecedent stimuli
Positive reinforcement of alternative behaviors
A comprehensive program of counter conditioning and desensitization
Negative punishment
Negative reinforcement
Consultations with other behavior professionals for alternative training suggestions
In the event that a CCPDT certificant determines that an electronic collar is the appropriate course of action for a particular dog
that trainer should never apply more than one electronic stimulation to a dog at the same time. Furthermore, the electronic stimulation should never be administered to any location other than the neck of the dog.
A CCPDT certificant who violates these directives in this position statement (E-collars) risks
losing his or her certification. A certificant who loses his or her certification as the result of violating the directives in this position statement will have his or her name published on our website with the reason for the decertification.
The CCPDT believes that the administration of an electric stimulus during training should only be used
after all other training options have been considered and rejected.
Purpose of the Policy: Dog Training and Behavior Intervention Practices
This policy serves to govern those practices that a Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) certificant may not use during the practice of dog training or behavior modification. This policy will clarify for dog owners and dog care professionals those practices in which a CCPDT certificant may not engage.
The CCPDT recognizes that this policy does not address every practice under debate in the dog training industry. The goal of this policy is to ensure that CCPDT certificants do not engage in certain practices which can in no way be considered humane or sound by scientific standards. It also acknowledges that certain additional practices remain under debate, such as the use of electronic stimulation collars. This policy is intended as a first step in ensuring that CCPDT certificants are not using practices that are potentially egregiously harmful to dogs, either physically or emotionally.
Definition of the Policy: Dog Training and Behavior Intervention Practices
For the purposes of this policy, an electrical stimulation collar is defined as a collar which is used in a mode that causes electrical energy to pass through any part of the dog’s body.
The following practices are never acceptable for use by a CCPDT certificant, for any reason:
- Helicoptering or hanging a dog (defined as lifting the dog off of the ground and either holding it off of the ground or swinging the dog off of the ground by the collar or leash for any period of time) or otherwise restricting the airway of the dog in any manner.
- Purposely lifting a dog by the collar, leash, or scruff such that two or fewer of the dog’s legs remain on the ground.
- Applying a collar that delivers an electrical stimulation to a dog without first exhausting alternative intervention strategies, including, at a minimum, positive reinforcement of alternative behaviors, changes in antecedent stimuli, and either negative punishment, negative reinforcement, or extinction.
- Applying more than one (1) electrical stimulation collar to a dog at the same time.
- Applying an electrical stimulation collar to the genital region or abdomen area of the dog.
- Applying a toe or ear pinch (defined as applying a pinching pressure either with the hand or with a tool of any sort - including but not limited to a cord or wire - to a toe, ear or any other body part of the dog with the intention of causing the dog to perform or cease a behavior).
- Drowning (defined as submersion of the dog’s head in water for any period of time). * Applying a cattle prod to any part of the dog’s body.
No trainer or behavior consultant who has been certified through a CCPDT certification program shall engage in any of the above-named acts for any reason. To report any such conduct by a trainer or behavior consultant whom you believe has been certified through one of the CCPDT’s certification programs, please refer to the CCPDT’s Certification Compliance and Disciplinary Procedures or contact our administrator at administrator@ccpdt.org.
CCPDT Standards of Practice
The Standards of Practice provide a framework of principles to convey a collective principle of professionalism, skills and values. As members / certificants (collectively referred to as “members”), each individual member will undertake the following:
● To understand and promote Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) training and behavior work.
● To continue professional development by reading relevant material; attending conferences, workshops and seminars; and pursuing other educational opportunities.
● To review and understand source material and academic texts for information.
● To abstain from representing training and behavioral information as scientific, unless the information is derived from peer-reviewed and published research.
● To refrain from offering guarantees regarding the outcome of training and behavior work. ● To always maintain personal professionalism through:
○ Providing your services honestly
○ Treating animals and clients respectfully
○ Valuing and preserving the privacy of clients
○ Maintaining professionalism with colleagues and other professionals.
The CCPDT Professional Code of Ethics
The Professional Code of Ethics was created to set forth guidelines for members. Any members is subject to termination of membership, revocation of certification, and/or other disciplinary actions if they: (a) are convicted of a felony that involves violence against people or animals (b) engage in conduct which could lead to conviction of a felony, or a misdemeanor, related to their qualifications or functions; (c) engage in cruelty, abuse, or neglect of animals or humans, crimes against humanity or of violence against animals or humans; (d) fail to cooperate with the organization at any point from the inception of an ethical complaint through the completion of all proceedings regarding that complaint. Any member, or member applicant, who wishes to appeal the termination may do so in accordance with the complaints process.
Professional Code of Ethics Principle 1
1.1 Trainers/behavior consultants provide professional assistance to persons without discrimination on the basis of race, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disability, gender, health status, religion, political beliefs, national origin, or sexual orientation.
1.2 Trainers/behavior consultants are aware of, and comply with, applicable laws regarding the reporting of animal bites and suspected abuse or neglect.
1.3 Trainers/behavior consultants respect the right of clients to make decisions regarding their pet’s management, training and care. Trainers/behavior consultants are responsible for helping clients understand the potential consequences of those decisions.
1.4 Trainers/behavior consultants obtain informed consent from clients before videotaping, audio recording, or permitting third-party observation.
1.5 Trainers/behavior consultants obtain signed waivers, contracts, or agreements prior to the start of services.
1.6 Trainers/behavior consultants ensure and oversee the safety of clients, animals, and the public in implementing training and behavior programs.
Professional Code of Ethics Principle 2
2.1 Trainers/behavior consultants do not share confidential information that could reasonably lead to the identification of a client, or prospective client, research participant, or other person with whom they have a confidential relationship, unless they have obtained the prior written consent of the client, research participant, or other person with whom they have a confidential relationship.
2.2 Trainers/behavior consultants keep accurate and complete records of all clients, their animals, services provided, and the conclusion of the services provided.
2.3 Trainers/behavior consultants provide referring veterinarians with professional feedback on services provided and training or behavior plans to improve continuity of care and ensure the collaborative relationship between health and behavior professionals.
Professional Code of Ethics Principle 3
3.1 Trainers/behavior consultants work to minimize the use of aversive stimuli and maximize the effective use of positive reinforcement to modify animal behavior through a Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) based approach.
3.2 Trainers/behavior consultants maintain competence in training and behavior through continuing education.
3.3 Trainers/behavior consultants maintain adequate knowledge of, and adhere to, applicable laws, ethics, and professional standards.
3.4 Trainers/behavior consultants provide truthful advertising and representation concerning their qualifications, certifications, experience, performance and pricing of services.
3.5 Trainers/behavior consultants refrain from providing guarantees regarding the specific outcome of training and behavior plans.
3.6 Trainers/behavior consultants provide full disclosure of potential conflicts of interest to clients and other professionals
3.7 Trainers/behavior consultants work within their professional education and individual expertise. 3.8 Trainers/behavior consultants seek help and education when confronted with complex or difficult cases, and refrain from taking cases beyond their professional experience.
3.9 Trainers/behavior consultants do not advise on problems outside the recognized professional education and certifications, and do not provide advice or recommendations in areas of veterinary medicine or family counseling unless licensed and qualified to do so.
3.10 Trainers/behavior consultants do not permit employees, subcontractors or supervisees to perform or to hold themselves out as competent to perform professional services beyond their training, level of experience, and competence based on certification and education.
3.11 Trainers/behavior consultants exercise care when stating their professional recommendations and opinions through public statements.
Professional Code of Ethics Principle 4
4.1 Trainers/behavior consultants are respectful of colleagues and other professionals and do not condemn the character of their professional acts, nor engage in public commentary, including commentary in public presentations, written media or on websites, internet discussion lists or social media, that is disrespectful, derisive or inflammatory. This includes cyberbullying, that is, the use of electronic media for deliberate, repeated and hostile behavior against colleagues.
4.2 Professional trainers/behavior consultants maintain adequate professional liability insurance coverage.
Professional Code of Ethics Principle 5
5.1 Prior to entering into the professional relationship, Trainers/behavior consultants clearly disclose and explain to clients all financial arrangements and fees related to professional services.
5.2 Trainers/behavior consultants represent facts truthfully to clients, third party payors and students regarding services rendered.
