Members of the PATA (OnlineK9University - Professional Animal Training Academy and its +R Cafe):
Submissions for revisions to the Code of Ethics shall be accepted at any time and the Code of Ethics will be reviewed and voted on annually by the general membership.
Training practices
Members of the PATA should:
Business practices
When working professionally members should:
Relationship with the PATA and other trainers
Being part of the PATA community requires members to:
- must uphold and promote the +R Code of Ethics at all times
- must commit to ongoing learning and continued professional development (eg. seminars, webinars, research) and help to educate others
- must actively promote responsible and ethical training and overall welfare of dogs
- should not practice in a professional capacity when they are not in a fit mental or physical state
- must have insurance for professional indemnity and public liability when working with dogs and clients
Submissions for revisions to the Code of Ethics shall be accepted at any time and the Code of Ethics will be reviewed and voted on annually by the general membership.
Training practices
Members of the PATA should:
- use humane and relevant training techniques, ensuring that each dog has appropriate choices and opportunities to act out normal dog behaviour
- never use or encourage physical or psychological punishment on dogs
- be open-minded about new training ideas, research and equipment and make decisions based on ethical research
- teach responsible training, care and welfare and encourage choices for dogs. Emotional and physical welfare must be paramount, and the needs of each dog must be taken into account at all times.
- promote appropriate equipment, including well-fitting harnesses that allow unrestricted movement and are comfortable, as well as long flat leads (ideally 2-3 metres) that allow freedom of movement
- discourage the use of collars (with lead attached), half-check collars, choke chains, slip leads, headcollars, prong collars, spray collars, e-collars, flexi leads, short leads (less than 1.5 metres), cages, crates and any equipment that restricts normal movement, choice, causes pain, shock, fear or restricts breathing
- discourage repetitive and arduous games, activities, competitions and exercise (for example retrieve, fetch, being asked to sit repeatedly, traditional obedience, agility) that may cause physical and/or emotional stress, hyperactivity and obsessive behaviour. Always take into account the age, health and individual preferences of the dog to decide on the appropriateness of activities.
- refrain from giving medical advice, diagnosing or claiming to treat medical conditions. Where possible work with veterinary professionals, and refer to them if you suspect any health issues.
- treat clients and dogs with respect and behave in a professional manner regardless of individual abilities or breed of dog
Business practices
When working professionally members should:
- keep accurate records of all clients and their dogs, as appropriate, for the length of time required by the country they work in
- credit others appropriately when using their work
- not make unrealistic or false claims to clients or the general public in terms of what can be achieved
- never knowingly support or endorse the inhumane treatment of dogs in any way
Relationship with the PATA and other trainers
Being part of the PATA community requires members to:
- represent the PATA in good faith and not endorse or promote any products, services, events or technique as being connected to the PATA without written consent from the PATA Board
- foster friendly and collaborative relationships with other PATA members, and refrain from criticising other members publicly, including on social media
- not encourage or solicit clients away from another trainer
- refer clients to another trainer or behaviourist when more specialist skills are required
- raise any concerns about membership directly with the Board, and always behave courteously and respectfully
Students and graduates of the OnlineK9University - PATA are reserved :
- To operate as a certificant without discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, gender, disability, physical limitation, marital or familial status, sexual orientation, religion, or political beliefs.
- To assist clients in establishing humane, realistic, training and behavior goals.
- To use training and behavior modification methods based on accurate scientific research, emphasizing positive relationships between people and dogs and using positive reinforcement-based techniques to the maximum extent possible.
- To always provide for the safety of clients and animals in training programs and behavior consultations.
- To act with honesty and integrity toward clients, respecting their legitimate training and behavior goals and the autonomy of their choices, provided they conform to societal and legal standards of humane treatment for their pet.
- To refrain from public defamation of colleagues, respecting their right to establish and follow their own principles of conduct, provided those principles are ethical and humane.
- To provide truthful advertising and representations concerning certificant qualifications, experience, performance of services, pricing of services and expected results; to provide full disclosure of potential conflicts of interest to clients and other professionals.
- To refrain from providing guarantees regarding the specific outcome of training.
- To work within the professional boundaries of ndividual expertise and refrain from providing diagnosis, advice, or recommendations in areas of veterinary medicine or family counseling unless certified to do so. This does not preclude referring the client to a veterinary or behavior consulting professional.
- To maintain and respect the confidentiality of all information obtained from clients in the course of business; to refrain from disclosure of information about clients or their pets to others without the client’s explicit consent, except as required by law.
- To be aware of and comply with applicable laws, regulations, and ethical standards governing professional practices, treatment of animals (including cases of neglect or abuse), and reporting of dog bites in the state/province/country when interacting with the public and when providing dog training or behavior consulting services.
- To keep accurate and complete records of clients, their animals and the training and behavior services provided; to ensure secure storage and, when appropriate, confidential disposal of such records.
- To continue professional development.