Frequently Asked Questions

Paws & Pawsibility uses positive reinforcement training, a rewards-based training rooted in force-free principles and techniques.

As a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner and a Fear Free Certified Professional, Ranielle adheres to each organization’s pledge as well as the KPA CTP Code of Conduct.

Pledges and Code of Conduct can be read in full below.

Ranielle is a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP), a Fear Free Certified Professional (Animal Trainer), an AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator, an AKC Fit Dog Level 1 Instructor, and is currently working towards her Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) certification.

Dog training is an unregulated industry. Anyone can call themselves a professional dog trainer, regardless of experience, education, or ethics. It’s important to do your research on potential dog trainers to find the right fit for you and your dog.

Pursuing certifications is voluntary and each certification has varying requirements of experience, education, testing, and continuing education.

Training should be a fun experience for both you and your dog. When choosing a dog trainer, consider that the tools and techniques the trainer provides to you can strongly affect your relationship with your dog for years to come.

You’ll want to find a trainer whose personality and methods fit best with your goals. Not all trainers offer the same services, so it’s important to be clear on what you need from a trainer.

Look for a trainer who is able to explain behaviors and their importance, demonstrate training methods in ways that you are able to understand and feel confident in applying, as well as adapt their methods for the individual learners (both human and canine).

A conscientious trainer will pursue continuing education to stay up-to-date with new training theories and methods.

And though a trainer should ensure satisfaction of their services, results are not guaranteed. Dogs aren’t robots, and throwing a human being (or a whole family of humans) into the training equation means there is a mess of variable and unpredictable behavior that comes into play.

In the end, you should feel comfortable doing whatever it is the trainer asks you to do with your dog.

I will:

Teach and train using the force-free principles and techniques that have been taught in the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training & Behavior (KPA) and always in a manner that is consistent with the KPA approach to behavior change and learning;

Abide by the KPA CTP Code of Conduct;

Conduct myself in a way that upholds the values and principles associated with the KPA brand;

Value lifetime learning by continuing to improve my skill as a teacher and trainer;

Work with the Academy to help maintain high standards of teaching and training for all KPA Certified Training Partners.

KPA Certified Training Partner Pledge updated March 28, 2024.

I make the following pledge:

To do my part in employing and advocating for practices that protect and promote the physical and emotional wellbeing of animals in my training and care, realizing that I am in a position of influence to guide pet owners to sound, complete, quality support for their animals.

To refer and partner with veterinary professionals, including Fear Free Certified Professionals and the pet’s primary care veterinarian, realizing that physical and emotional health go hand in hand and that collaborative efforts are integral to providing high-quality, complete care. When appropriate and in conjunction with the pet’s regular veterinarian, I recognize the importance of referring clients to veterinary behaviorists or to Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists.

To learn to recognize and respond appropriately to even subtle signs of fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) with animals I come in contact with.

To be committed to remaining within trainer boundaries. This includes not diagnosing conditions or advising clients on medical conditions, medications, or dosages. The trainer may provide general information that is currently available to the public, while guiding the client to seek veterinary assistance for health and medical information, including medications.

To utilize the skills I learn in the Fear Free Animal Trainer Course as well as those learned during extended Fear Free education. This includes the partnership with the veterinary team and the use of concepts such as considerate approach, gentle control, touch gradient, and immediate and appropriate response to signs of FAS in a pet with the actions recommended in Fear Free courses.

To continue to educate myself in Fear Free techniques, and to sek always to elevate my professional commitment to preventing and relieving FAS. This includes promoting preventive efforts and continued enhancement of the emotional wellbeing of animals under my care. This also involves remaining current with research and education related to the emotional wellbeing of animals.

To encourage my training colleagues and veterinary and pet professional partners to adopt the Fear Free approach to relieve and prevent animal suffering.

To recognize that Fear Free is a whole-lifestyle approach to pet care and belongs in the home, the car, and places where pets receive professional services such as veterinary care, grooming, boarding or training.

To do my best to utilize scientifically sound, reward-based training methods that positively affect not only the animal’s behavior, but also the underlying emotional state. This includes avoiding methods that use fear or force to motivate the animal. Fear Free Animal Trainers are to take the Least Intrusive Minimally Aversive approace to addressing animal behavior. The Fear Free Animal Trainer should never use certain force-based, punitive methods. This includes not advocating for or using correction collars, including prong/pinch collars, choke chains, or electronic shock collars. These rely on force and fear as primary motivators and can increase FAS and cause the pet physical and emotional harm.

To maintain individual trainer or trainer business insurance. Exceptions are permitted only for trainers in countries that do not have this type of insurance. Coverage options for hospital insurance may also be explored.

To at all times be in full compliance with all applicable federal, state and local law, regulations, and directives of any nature relating to the housing, handling, transportation, nutrition, sanitation, and humane treatment of any and all animals owned or otherwise held and/or cared for.

KPA Certified Training Partners agree:

To uphold the KPA Certified Training Partner Pledge.

To train and teach using the principles taught in the KPA Dog Trainer Professional Program, which include, but are not limited to:

—Creating a healthy living and working environment that provides for excellent psychological, mental, and physical welfare.

—Using thoughtful antecedent arrangements to facilitate behavior change and welfare needs.

—Creating behavior change plans that utilize the most positive, least intrusive, effective solutions. This means an emphasis on using positive reinforcement solutions and avoiding the use of punishers as part of a behavior change plan (for example, the use of tools such as shock collars and prong collars is not allowed).

—Reading learners’ body language, and being responsive to their needs. Our goal is to always work toward reducing stress, fear, and discomfort in our learners.

—Creating a nurturing learning environment for and positive relationship with our learners.

—Creating choice for our learners and giving them agency.

To continue our 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 always maintain 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.

Uphold the Professional Code of Ethics.

Professional Code of Ethics

The Professional Code of Ethics was created to set forth guidelines for members. Any member 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.

Principle I: Responsibility to Clients

1.1 Trainers 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 are aware of, and comply with applicable laws regarding the reporting of animal bites and suspected abuse or neglect.

1.3 Trainers respect the right of clients to make decisions regarding their pet’s management, training and care. Trainers are responsible for helping clients understand the potential consequences of those decisions.

1.4 Trainers obtain informed consent from clients before videotaping, audio recording, or permitting third-party observation.

1.5 Trainers obtain signed waivers, contracts, or agreements prior to the start of services.

1.6 Trainers ensure and oversee the safety of clients, animals, and the public in implementing training and behavior programs.

1.7 Trainers create for clients, students, and colleagues a learning environment safe from harassment, including sexual harassment, in all work settings including industry-related social events, training sessions, and conferences.

Principle II: Confidentiality

2.1 Trainers 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 keep accurate and complete records of all clients, their animals, services provided, and the conclusion of the services provided.

2.3 Trainers 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.

Principle III: Professional Competence and Integrity

3.1 Trainers will employ the most positive, least intrusive, effective solution for behavior change, with a focus on positive reinforcement-based solutions consistent with the teachings in the Dog Trainer Professional course.

3.2 Trainers agree that punishment is not part of the appropriate solution for addressing behavior problems, aligning with the Position Statement on Humane Dog Training issued by the AVSAB (American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior).

3.3 In instances where trainers encounter difficulties in identifying an appropriate positive reinforcement solution, they will seek advice from colleagues and/or refer the case to a more experienced positive reinforcement trainer or veterinary behaviorist.

3.4 Trainers maintain competence in training and behavior through continuing education.

3.5 Trainers maintain adequate knowledge of, and adhere to, applicable laws, ethics, and professional standards.

3.6 Trainers provide truthful advertising and representation concerning their qualifications, certifications, experience, performance and pricing of services.

3.7 Trainers refrain from providing guarantees regarding the specific outcome of training and behavior plans.

3.8 Trainers provide full disclosure of potential conflicts of interest to clients and other professionals.

3.9 Trainers work within their professional education and individual expertise.

3.10 Trainers seek help and education when confronted with complex or difficult cases, and refrain from taking cases beyond their professional experience.

3.11 Trainers 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.

3.12 Trainers 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.

3.13 Trainers exercise care when stating their professional recommendations and opinions through public statements.

Principle IV: Responsibility to the Profession

4.1 Trainers 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 maintain adequate professional liability insurance coverage.

Principle V: Financial Arrangements & Truthful Representation of Services

5.1 Prior to entering into the professional relationship, trainers clearly disclose and explain to clients all financial arrangements and fees related to professional services.

5.2 Trainers represent facts truthfully to clients, third-party payors and students regarding services rendered.

Principle VI: Advertising

6.1 Trainers accurately represent their competencies, education, training, and experience relevant to their practice of training and behavior.

6.2 Trainers do not use titles that could mislead the public concerning the identity, responsibility, source, and status of those practicing under that name.

6.3 Trainers correct, wherever possible, false, misleading, or inaccurate information and representations made by others concerning the consultant's qualifications, services, or products.

6.4 Trainers do not represent themselves as providing specialized services unless they have the appropriate education, training, or experience.

6.5 Trainers refrain from making misrepresentations regarding marketing and logos for which the practitioner is no longer eligible and remove logos and claims of certification when no longer maintained by the practitioner.

6.6 Trainers agree to use the most current logos and follow the recommended usage of said marketing materials.

6.7 Trainers shall not commit business fraud, plagiarism or copyright infringement, misuse or misappropriation of logos, trademarks, theft of intellectual property, slander or libel.

*Note: The KPA Code of Conduct is modeled on but is not identical to the Joint Standards of Practice and related Professional Code of Ethics (collectively JSOP/PCE) which are minimal standards member orgaizations have agreed to uphold and which permit KPA and any member organization to set a higher standard.

KPA CTP Code of Conduct updated March 28, 2024.