The years 2020 and 2021 were years of great change and reflection , both in our world , our personal lives and in the dog training community . Business owners had to think fast on their feet and shift focus to keep their businesses afloat . Everyone learned the benefits of life through a screen . Conferences went virtual , business owners helped their clients and others they might not have been able to help with the magic of virtual meetings . As difficult a time as it was , growth happened , and I think it has changed our world and our industry for the better .

The APDT adapted and shifted with those changes as well . We made sure to have information for our members regarding laws and protocols for dealing with a health crisis . We had informative webinars and articles on how to use virtual tools to help continue your business . We also saw a great need for further change in our industry and the board responded accordingly .

The implementation of the Joint Code of Conduct collaboration with the CCPDT and IAABC helped bring clarification and standardization of care and ethics to the dog training profession . The APDT firmly believes in inclusivity and education while also promoting a more humane approach in our profession . This LIMA attestation that members have the option to make , allows for a more transparent trainer search for the family looking for help with their beloved pet . Advancing the LIMA approach is progress our industry needs and what our members were asking for .

The APDT strives to be at the forefront of progress and improvements in our industry . Establishing the Legislative Task Force is an example of wanting to be part of the solution to a problem that has been affecting our industry for years , even decades . Lack of clear laws and regulations in the pet care industry has had dire consequences in far too many cases . The APDT hopes to bring about change through collaboration with other organizations and feedback from the membership , so that families have a greater understanding of what their pet care professional is qualified to do for them and their pet .

Part of the APDT Strategic Plan is to educate its membership through webinars , articles , conferences , social media and now , podcasts ! Adding this new and exciting form of education can mean reaching a larger audience and spreading better information about dog training and dog training professionals . Podcasts are very popular right now and are a great way to hear from industry leaders on important topics within our community . It can also be a great tool to use with your students , assistants , or employees to help increase their knowledge base .

If the last few years taught us anything it was the need to amplify voices of those typically ignored , silenced , or not included . In an effort to be part of the change our world is going through , the APDT created the Diversity Equity and Inclusion ( DEI ) team . This volunteer group is committed to reaching out and asking to hear from those groups typically not heard from . They are looking for ways to attract and celebrate diversity in our industry and give voice to members that may feel unheard . The APDT is an organization built on being inclusive to all trainers , and we are striving to make sure that reflects in our policies , benefits , educational offerings , and membership recruitment . The APDT knows there is much to learn , and this team is going to help us move forward and continue to serve our industry and our membership .

The APDT continues to have many opportunities for its members to assist their education , meet their business needs and provide collaboration with a vast network of trainers . Utilizing our education platform for free webinars , Train Your Dog Month articles or videos , certification courses or the conference videos can help you reach your CEU goals or educate your employees on best practices in pet care . Our members can meet their business needs by checking out the member benefits page and searching for things like software for scheduling , insurance , curriculum , or supplies like clickers , treat bags or treats . The APDT member benefits is an ever-evolving project that is renewed and added to regularly by the Membership Task Force . The APDT online community is a safe place to collaborate with other trainers on issues you may be facing with a client , business questions you may have , or just a place to look for support when you need it . It is exciting to see all the excellent feedback given to people on this forum , you never know who will answer your query , Pat Miller really seems to enjoy helping her fellow trainers in there , I see her responses a lot ! Our members are never alone , even if they live in an area with no other support , the APDT online community offers that .

It is a great time to be a member of the APDT , we are on the cusp of so many wonderful new initiatives while still offering our members the same trusted resources we have always provided . The APDT appreciates your membership and would love for you to tell your friends , colleagues and even clients about us . Join us in this great progression forward to help lead our industry to a more inclusive and humane future . Consider joining one of our many volunteer groups ( we ’ d love to have you in the Membership Task Force ) help lend your voice and ideas to this great organization .

14 Building Better Trainers Through Education

The APDT Chronicle of the Dog Spring 2022 | Page 16

It ’ s a great time to be an APDT member