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UDLA & APDT Standards and

Code of Professional Ethics

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UDLA & APDT takes the stance that there are no training or behavior cases which justify the use of intentional aversive punishment-based interventions in any form of training ranging from general obedience and tricks to dealing with severe behavior problems. This is in alignment with the American Veterinary Society for Animal Behavior 8 and available literature. Trainers who use aversive tools such as choke collars, prong collars, shock collars (including “stim-collars” and “e-collars”), bonkers, shaker-cans, citronella spray, water spray, leash-pop/leash-corrections (with any type of collar/harness), yelling, or any other technique designed to cause fear, pain, or startle in the dog are not practicing within UDLA and APDT Standards.  Trainers who are unable to train a specific behavior or to a specific outcome without resorting to aversive techniques should use resources to learn more or contact and work with trainers who do.

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Principle I: Responsibility to Clients

 

1.1 Shall provide professional assistance to persons without discrimination on the basis of race, age, sex, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disability, gender, health status, religion, political beliefs, national origin, or sexual orientation.
1.2 Shall comply with applicable laws regarding the reporting of animal bites and suspected abuse or neglect.
1.3 Shall respect the right of clients to make decisions regarding their pet’s management, training and care. UDLA Trainers are responsible for helping clients understand the potential consequences of those decisions.
1.4 Shall obtain informed consent from clients before videotaping, audio recording, or permitting third-party observation.
1.5 Shall obtain signed waivers, contracts or agreements prior to the start of services.
1.6 Shall ensure and oversee the safety of clients, animals and the public in implementing training and behavior programs.

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Principle II: Confidentiality

2.1 Shall 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 Shall keep accurate and complete records of all clients, their animals, services provided, and the conclusion of the services provided.
2.3 Shall provide referring veterinarians with professional feedback on services provided and training and/or behavior plans to improve continuity of care and ensure the collaborative relationship between health and training and/or behavior professionals.

Principle III: Professional Competence and Integrity

3.1 Shall work to minimize the use of aversive stimuli and maximize the effective use of positive reinforcement to modify animal behavior through a Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) based approach.
3.2 Shall maintain competence in training and behavior through continuing education.
3.3 Shall maintain adequate knowledge of, and adhere to, applicable laws, ethics, and professional standards.
3.4 Shall provide truthful advertising and representation concerning their qualifications, certifications, experience, performance, and pricing of services.
3.5 Shall refrain from providing guarantees regarding the specific outcome of training and behavior plans.
3.6 Shall provide full disclosure of potential conflicts of interest to clients and other professionals.
3.7 Shall work within their professional education and individual expertise.
3.8 Shall seek help and education when confronted with complex or difficult cases, and refrain from taking cases beyond their professional experience.
3.9 Shall not advise on problems outside their recognized professional education and certifications and shall not provide advice or recommendations in areas of veterinary medicine or family counseling unless licensed and qualified to do so.
3.10 Shall 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.
3.11 Shall exercise care when stating their professional recommendations and opinions through public statements.
3.12 UDLA shall hold their employees, subcontractors, and mentees accountable for following the Joint Standards of Practice and Code of Professional Ethics during the course of the delivery of professional services.

Principle V: Financial Arrangements & Truthful Representation of Services

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5.1 Shall clearly disclose and explain to clients all financial arrangements and fees related to professional services prior to entering into a professional relationship.
5.2 Shall represent facts truthfully to clients, third party payors, and students regarding services rendered.

Principle VI: Advertising

6.1 Shall accurately represent their competencies, education, training, and experience relevant to their practice of training and/or behavior modification.
6.2 Shall not use titles that could mislead the public concerning the identity, responsibility, source, and status of those practicing under that name.
6.3 Shall correct, wherever possible, false, misleading, or inaccurate information and representations made by others concerning their qualifications, services, or products.
6.4 Shall not represent themselves as providing specialized services unless they have the appropriate education, training, or experience.
6.5 Shall refrain from making misrepresentations regarding marketing and logos for which they are no longer eligible and remove logos and claims of certification when no longer maintained.
6.6 Shall agree to use the most current logos and follow recommended usage of said marketing materials.
6.7 Shall not commit business fraud, plagiarism, copyright infringement, misuse or misappropriation of logos or trademarks, theft of intellectual property, slander, or libel.

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Standards of Practice

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The Standards of Practice provide a framework of principles to convey a collective principle of professionalism, skills and values in positive reinforcement-based training. UDLA will undertake the following:

  • To understand and promote Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) training and behavior work.

  • To continue 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 refrain from offering guarantees regarding the outcome of training and behavior work.

  • 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

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