Although the members of the New York State Professional Dog Trainers Coalition support the licensing of professional dog trainers in the state of New York, we oppose the proposed bills (New York State and Nassau County) as they are currently written for the following reasons: 

1) Neither bill sets any educational criteria for professional dog trainers. 

Professional dog trainers should meet minimum standards for education and knowledge of behavior science and its application. The Coalition will submit an alternative set of guidelines in which the profession of dog training, and all relevant terms and criteria for dog training, are clearly defined so that an educational pathway for becoming a professional dog trainer can be established.

2) Both bills inappropriately designate the Department of Agriculture as the governing body for dog trainers.

The bills concern dog trainer education and not the regulation of livestock. Furthermore, the needs of companion animals are significantly different from those of farm animals. Therefore, we feel that the Department of Education, which already regulates standards for both veterinary practitioners and veterinary technicians, would be a far more suitable governing body to determine guidelines for the regulation of professional dog trainers.  

3) Neither bill accomplishes its intended goal: to screen out individuals who are unsuitable to serve the public as professional dog trainers.  

The present bills were initiated in response to a video of a person who, while calling himself a “professional dog trainer,” was abusing an animal in his care. The present bills would permit this very person to qualify for licensure and would legitimize his conduct in the eyes of the law. Therefore, both bills would allow ignorant, unethical, and inhumane individuals to qualify for licensure.

4) Neither bill requires the establishment of best practices, procedures, or standards for professional dog trainers.

A licensed profession must have established best practices, procedures, and standards to which a professional can be held accountable. The development of professional standards is critical to determine what constitutes malpractice and therefore must precede legislation. In the absence of these established standards, it is impossible to define what constitutes malpractice or operating outside the scope of one's license. This issue has not been addressed. 

Effective licensure requirements must address and correct these deficiencies if they are to be useful as an aid for consumers to choose a qualified dog trainer. We understand the eagerness of local and state legislatures to put laws into effect but, for the reasons stated above, passing these bills in their current form would do more harm than good.  

We urge you to support the position of the New York State Dog Trainers Coalition by signing this petition. By doing so, you voice your opposition to the proposed bills. This will help all dog trainers to stand united and create solid legislation, which will ensure that they can continue to serve dog owners and their dogs with integrity and professionalism.