Dog trainer regulation: Where are we now?

Calls for dog trainer regulation in 2021

With incidents of alleged animal abuse by dog trainers on the rise in the news and social media, questions about whether occupational licensing can prevent these tragedies have made the rounds this year.

• Viral videos on social media have prompted an outcry for dog trainer licensure in United States.
• The topic of the lack of regulation in the U.S. dog training industry comes up fairly frequently. Anyone who hangs out their shingle as a professional dog trainer or dog behavior consultant must acquire certification or accreditation on their own.
• We'll look at recent abuse allegations prompting criticism of the dog training industry, where the industry stands on regulation, and what those outside the industry are doing to tackle this problem.