Accreditation

At Sam’s K9 Academy we take pride in the fact that all of our trainers are accredited with at least one of the organisations below and all of our staff keep up to date with on-going CPD training within the professional dog world.

Sams K9 Academy adhere to the strict code of conduct of these organisations. Please see below to find out more about these organisations and our staff’s CPD.

CPD - Continuous Professional Development

Sam Davies

Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT)

The APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers), UK is a voluntary organisation established to improve the welfare of dogs and the competence of dog owners through the promotion of training skills and techniques based on up to date, researched, methods that apply the principles of kindness fairness and effectiveness and are in keeping with modern learning theory.

We provide education – via pet dog training classes and one-to-one lessons – to the dog owning public, promoting the use of Kind, Fair and Effective training.

  • We carry out this mission through a system of membership accreditation;Adherence to a Code of Practice
  • Continuous professional development
  • Dissemination of advice and information – learned from trainers/instructors/behaviourists/researchers/observers who are knowledgeable about dogs using courses, workshops, the internet, books and magazines
  • The rejection of invasive, coercive or punitive equipment or methods, which can cause mental and physical trauma to dogs

We will keep up to date on positive, effective training techniques that are based on the application of learning principles.

We find it sad and incomprehensible that some trainers are still using harmful and damaging equipment, such as prong, choke and electric collars, along with training techniques such as alpha rolls, lead jerks, kicks and other punishing methods.

The practice of using aversive methods or equipment on fearful and aggressive dogs is detrimental and dangerous.

Ideas, especially those about “dominance”, are completely disconnected from the sciences of ethology and animal learning.

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Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (IMDT)

ALL IMDT Trainers have undergone a rigorous Assessment process to meet the high standards expected of any IMDT member.

Dog Owners have long understood the importance of using not only a highly trained and experienced Dog Trainer, but also a Trainer that adheres to a Strict Code of Ethics to ensure both Owner’s and Dog’s training needs and met and exceeded in a positive and effective way.

IMDT Members are PRACTICALLY Assessed on both their Dog AND People training skills.

That’s what Owners get from an IMDT Qualified Trainer, peace of mind that the IMDT logo is a kite-mark of quality, knowledge and understanding.

ALL IMDT Full and Student Members have undergone a rigorous, PRACTICAL Assessment process to ensure they can deliver quality in four major areas of dog training:

  • Group Classes
  • Home Visit Consultations
  • One To One Training
  • Canine Behaviour Knowledge

Every IMDT Trainer is Re-Assessed every two years to ensure Continual Professional Development (CPD) is regularly maintained and expanded.

By booking an IMDT Member, you are booking a Trainer that has CHOSEN to be put through an Assessment process second to none within the professional dog training and behaviour arena.

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Puppy School

Puppy School tutors are carefully selected to ensure they have experience with animals, good communication skills, empathy, compassion and respect for others. Tutors attend regular courses in animal behaviour and training techniques, and keep up to date with information that may be useful to pet dog owners. Puppy School classes are monitored regularly to ensure the highest standards.

All Puppy School tutors have undertaken a comprehensive training course, comprising residential training courses as well as home study.

Courses in behaviour problem solving, run by Gwen Bailey, are attended to ensure the best advice is offered to owners with problem puppies.

Tutors are kept up to date with new ideas by regularly attending meeting including Puppy School conferences and exclusive Puppy School courses by leading trainers/behaviourists. In addition, tutors regularly attend seminars and conferences run by groups such as CABTSG, APBC, and BSAVA.

All tutors regularly contribute to the exclusive Puppy School forum where ideas and problems are discussed and solutions offered. Our tutors have a range of animal-related occupations, including veterinary nursing, pet sitting/walking, and being a dog warden, as well as hobbies such as dog agility, dog obedience, and husky racing. This leads to a wealth of knowledge which can be tapped into whenever necessary.

 

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UK Dog Behaviour & Training Charter

At its heart, the UK Dog Behaviour & Training Charter is a code of conduct, ethics and methodology.  Its signatories are comprised of many of the UK’s leading behaviour and training organisations who have come together under the Charter’s umbrella to work in unison for the benefit of dogs, dog owners and the wider profession.

In an unregulated industry, dog owners can often struggle to find a suitably accredited professional to help them and their dog.  While there are many excellent professionals working nationwide, there are also many who continue to use outdated and aversive methods without any oversight or recourse.

The UK Dog Behaviour & Training Charter’s aim is to ensure dog owners that its signatory organisations and their members will adhere to the most modern, scientifically-proven, positive methodology.  In addition, Charter organisations pledge to take full accountability for their members with transparent working practices, codes of conduct and (should it be necessary) robust complaints procedures.  Because of this, the public can have full confidence that the professional with whom they choose to work, will not use any equipment designed to cause pain, fear or a startle response.

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