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  1. Programs
  2. Dog Trainer Certification

Dog Trainer Certification

Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers

Certification

Become a contributor for free to openly demonstrate student outcomes, industry alignment & eligibility criteria.

Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA®) measures a broad range of knowledge and skills in ethology, learning theory, dog training technique, and instruction.

Format

Online

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Program Pathways

Credentials this program stacks toward

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Program Details

Detailed information about this program

Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA®) measures a broad range of knowledge and skills in ethology, learning theory, dog training technique, and instruction. To be eligible for the examination, you have to: √ Be at least 18 years of age and have earned a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent √ Log a minimum of 300 hours experience in dog training within the last 3 years √ Provide a signed Attestation Statement from a CCPDT certificant, veterinarian, or other approved professional √ Confirm compliance with our Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics The CPDT-KA exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions. The exam is administered at computer-based testing facilities throughout the U.S., Internationally and via remote proctoring. Learn more about the examination.

Requirements

What you need to earn this credential

No requirements listed.

Financial Aid

Eligible funding programs

No funding information available.

Scholarships

No scholarships listed.

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Locations

Where this program is offered

No locations specified.

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Related Programs

Programs related to this one

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Skills & Competencies

Skills developed through this program

  • Apply learning theory to change and maintain dog behavior in a humane and appropriate manner
  • Create, adjust, and evaluate training plans to address behavior and training goals
  • Identify and use appropriate reinforcers, punishers, and reinforcement schedules in dog training
  • Select and apply training techniques including shaping, fading, luring, chaining, and targeting in dog training
  • Collect and interpret behavioral data to assess training effectiveness
  • Identify, set, and adjust training criteria to measure behavior change
Career Pathways

Occupations this program prepares you for

  • Animal Trainers39-2011.00
  • Animal Control Workers33-9011.00
  • Animal Caretakers39-2021.00
  • Animal Breeders45-2021.00
What You'll Learn

Key competencies developed through this program

Auto-populated·from NSX Competency Framework

Mastery: developing (Level 2)(based on Certification)

  • Structured training programs — conduct routine obedience and behavioral conditioning sessions for individual animals with reduced oversight in a shelter or entertainment setting.
  • Verbal and non-verbal cue delivery — apply consistent hand signals and voice commands across multiple training sessions to reinforce desired animal behaviors.
  • Animal temperament assessment — evaluate familiar animals' aptitude and readiness for advanced training tasks using established behavioral checklists.
  • Health observation and escalation — monitor animals' physical conditions across daily interactions and initiate appropriate care responses when abnormalities are detected.
  • Medication administration — manage prescribed treatment schedules for multiple animals, documenting dosages and responses accurately in a digital records system.
  • Feeding and exercise regimens — adjust standard care routines based on individual animal needs, activity levels, or veterinary guidance at a mid-sized training facility.
  • Performance cueing — signal and guide animals through rehearsed sequences during live or practice performances with limited supervisory intervention.
  • Behavioral records — maintain detailed, up-to-date logs of animal health, diet, and training progress using spreadsheet or database software.
  • Client communication — speak clearly with animal owners or handlers about training progress, home reinforcement strategies, and care recommendations.
  • Time management across caseloads — organize daily training schedules for multiple animals, balancing care duties and session preparation within facility time constraints.

Some details on this page are auto-populated from public workforce data sources: O*NET (opens in new tab), BLS (opens in new tab), College Scorecard (opens in new tab), DOL Training Provider Results (opens in new tab), NSX (opens in new tab). Provided in partnership with LER.me Career Intelligence.

Student Outcomes

Performance metrics for this program

Auto-populated·from Scorecard + DOL
Completion Rate
100%
Placement Rate
80%