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