Client Guarantee
The training and behavior modification services offered by Grateful Dog Training, Inc. are designed to meet the individual needs of clients’ and their dogs. Successful execution of those services depends on the level of commitment and compliance of the owner; and a combination of learned skills and ongoing practice on the part of dog and owner.
Professional, ethical dog trainers do not guarantee dog behavior and here's why:
Animal behavior (human and canine) is never fixed or static; it changes depending on circumstance and environment. Even trained behaviors will fade or extinguish over time without consistent repetition and practice. Especially in cases of fear or aggression, although behavior may be modified, the dog is never “cured." A dog's behavior is ultimately the responsibility of the owner.
As a result of the changeability inherent in all behavior, it is unethical for any trainer to offer a client a guarantee of their dog’s future behavior. As a certified training partner with the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training and Behavior and a professional member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, I have willingly sworn not to do so.
The APDT Mission statement includes the following: “Member should refrain from giving guarantees regarding the outcome of training, because there is no sure way to guarantee the cooperation and performance of all parties involved and because the knowledge of animal behavior is incomplete.”
What I Do Guarantee:
Professional, ethical dog trainers do not guarantee dog behavior and here's why:
Animal behavior (human and canine) is never fixed or static; it changes depending on circumstance and environment. Even trained behaviors will fade or extinguish over time without consistent repetition and practice. Especially in cases of fear or aggression, although behavior may be modified, the dog is never “cured." A dog's behavior is ultimately the responsibility of the owner.
As a result of the changeability inherent in all behavior, it is unethical for any trainer to offer a client a guarantee of their dog’s future behavior. As a certified training partner with the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training and Behavior and a professional member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, I have willingly sworn not to do so.
The APDT Mission statement includes the following: “Member should refrain from giving guarantees regarding the outcome of training, because there is no sure way to guarantee the cooperation and performance of all parties involved and because the knowledge of animal behavior is incomplete.”
What I Do Guarantee:
- To work with you in a customized fashion with private training plans tailored to your goals and your dog's needs.
- To provide honest professional services of the highest standards.
- To develop and apply training programs using positive reinforcement training methods.
- To assess my own knowledge, experience and qualifications and work within my professional limits.
- To continue professional development through reading; attending conferences, workshops and seminars; and other educational opportunities.
- To treat all dogs and clients with respect, taking into account their physical and psychological well-being and respecting client's wishes regarding the training of their dogs.
- To respect the privacy of my clients and hold in confidence all information obtained in the course of professional services, unless otherwise agreed upon in advance. I will use discretion in revealing information regarding dogs displaying potentially dangerous behavior
- To incorporate what it means to be a responsible dog owner into training programs.
- To strive for high client satisfaction and address all concerns in a timely, thoughtful and respectful manner.
- To dedicate my best efforts to the resolution of your current training challenge.