What do all those letters behind a dog trainers name actually mean?

CPDT, APDT, KA, ABCDT, CATT…and there’s SO many more!

Let’s start at the beginning.

How does a dog trainer become certified?

There are a lot of ways to become a certified dog trainer, and some do it without any formal certifications.  Some trainers have various degrees and some do not.  Some have years of apprentice experience training next to other leaders in the industry and other branch out on their own with what they learned in school.  However one decides is the best route for them, the letters behind their name can lend credibility to them and give them accountability to an organization much larger than themselves.

Dog Trainer Certification Requirements

While there is no specific certification requirements to be a professional dog trainer, the proof is in the pudding.  Remember the old adage, the more you put in the more you get out?  This is true for dog trainers.  When you see those letters after a trainers name, you can be assured that they take their profession seriously.  They have put in the time and effort it takes to become the best that they can in their field.

Certified?  By All Means…

Here is a list, taken from an article published by APDT (Association of Professional Dog Trainers) that spells out everything you need to know.

• AABP-CDT: AABP Certified Dog Trainer through Association of Animal Behavior Professionals
• AABP-CABC: AABP Certified Animal Behavior Consultant through Association of Animal Behavior Professionals
• AABP-CDBC: AABP Certified Dog Behavior Consultant through Association of Animal Behavior Professionals
• AABP-CPBC: AABP Certified Parrot Behavior Consultant through Association of Animal Behavior Professionals
• AABP-CCBC: AABP Certified Cat Behavior Consultant through Association of Animal Behavior Professionals
• ABCDT: Certified by (graduated from) Animal Behavior College
• ASMA: Member of Animal Behavior Management Alliance
• ACAAB: Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist by The Animal Behavior Society
• ACDBC: Associate Certified Dog Behavior Consultant by the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
• AHT: Animal Health Technology program.
• AKC CGC: American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
• ANWI: Associate Nose Work Instructor through National Association of Canine Scent Work
• AS-ES: Certification from the Equine Science Society.
• BA: Bachelor’s of Arts Degree from an accredited college or university
• BCBA:- Board Certified Behavior Analyst from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board
• BEd: Bachelor’s of Education from an accredited college or university
• BFA: Bachelor’s of Fine Arts Degree from an accredited college or university
• BS (or BSc): Bachelor’s of Science Degree from an accredited college or university
• BFRAP: Bach Foundation Registered Practitioner
• BVetMed: Bachelors of Veterinary Medicine, awarded by the University of London, UK
• CAAB: Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist by The Animal Behavior Society
• CABC: Certified Animal Behavior Consultant through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
• CAP1 and CAP2: Competency Assessment Program Levels 1 and 2 (through Kay Laurence, United Kingdom – www.learningaboutdogs.com)
• CBATI: Certified Behavior Adjustment Training Instructor
• CAT T: Certified American Treibball Trainer from the American Treibball Association
• CBCC-KA: Certified Behavior Consultant Canine through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, www.ccpdt.org
• CCAB: Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviorist through the Association for the Study of Animal Behavior
• CCA-CDT: Certified Dog Trainer from the Canine Club Academy
• CCBC: Certified Cat Behavior Consultant through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
• CCDT: CATCH Certified Dog Trainer through the CATCH Canine Trainers Academy
• CDBC: Certified Dog Behavior Consultant through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
• CDT: Certified Dog Trainer (various schools use this designation – check with individual trainer for more information).
• CDW: Certified Dog Walker through Dogtec.
• Cert AAH: Applied Animal Herbalism Certificate from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
• Cert ACN: Advanced Canine Nutrition Certificate from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
• Cert CBST: Canine Behavior Sciences and Technology Certificate from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
• Cert CF: Canine Fitness Certificate from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
• Cert CN: Canine Nutrition Certificate from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
• Cert DDC: Dog Daycare Certificate from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
• Cert DT: Dog Training Certificate from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute, www.casinstitute.com
• Cert FBST: Feline Behavior Sciences and Technology Certificate from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
• Cert PBST: Parrot Behavior Sciences and Technology Certificate from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
• Cert PDTST: Professional Dog Training Science and Technology Certificate from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
• Cert SRW: Shelter and Rescue Work Certificate from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
• CFI 1 &2: Certified Freestyle Instructor from the Canine Freestyle Federation.
• CNWI: Certified Nose Work Instructor through National Association of Canine Scent Work
• CPDT-KA: Certified Professional Dog Trainer- Knowledge Assessed through Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers
• CPDT-KSA: Certified Pet Dog Trainer – Knowledge and Skills assessed through Certification Council for Dog Trainers
• CTBC: Certified Training and Behavior Consultant from the Dog Training Internship Academy
• CTC: Certificate in Training and Counseling – previously run through the San Francisco Academy for Dog Trainers and now via the Academy for Dog Trainers
• CTDI: Certified Trick Dog Instructor from Do More With Your Dog!
• CVT: Certified Veterinary Technician – Information on credentialing available at the NAVTA site
• DACVB: Diplomate American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
• Dip ABT: Diploma in Animal Behavior Technology from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
• Dip CBST: Diploma in Canine Behavior Science and Technology from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
• DIP CCBT: Diploma of Canine Counseling and Behavior Training from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
• Dip FBST: Diploma in Feline Behavior Science and Technology from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
• Dip PBST: Diploma in Parrot Behavior Science and Technology from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
• DVM: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from an accredited college or university
• DWA: Dog Tee Dog Walking Academy Graduate from www.dogbizsuccess.com
• IACP-CDT: Certified Dog Trainer through the International Association of Canine Professionals
• IACP-CDTA: Certified Dog Trainer Advanced through the International Association of Canine Professionals
• JD: Juris Doctorate (law degree) from an accredited college or university
• KPA CTP: Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner through the Karen Pryor Academy
• LCSW: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• LISW: Licensed Independent Social Worker
• LVT: Licensed Veterinary Technician
• MA: Masters Degree from an accredited college or university
• MAT: Masters of Arts for Teachers Degree from an accredited college or university
• MBA: Masters of Business Administration from an accredited college or university
• MEd: Masters of Education from an accredited college or university
• MLA: Masters of Liberal Arts from an accredited college or university
• MPH: Masters of Public Health from an accredited college or university
• MRCVS: Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (United Kingdom)
• MS: Masters of Science from an accredited college or university
• MSW: Masters of Social Work from an accredited college or university
• NADOI: Endorsed by National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors
• OSCT: Operation Socialization Certified Trainer
• PhD: Doctoral Degree from an accredited college or university
• PMCT: Pat Miller Certified Trainer through Pat Miller’s Peaceable Paws
• PsyD: Doctor of Psychology from an accredited college or university
• RN: Registered Nurse
• RVT: Registered Veterinary Technician – Information on credentialing available at the NAVTA site
• D: Doctor of Science Degree from an accredited college or university.
• VSPDT: Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Trainer, www.positively.com