1. General Statements
1.1 Membership at any level of the Pet Dog Trainers of Europe
(hereinafter referred to as "PDTE") must represent a commitment to upholding and promoting
the highest standards of ethical practices both as described herein and where this Code
omits, as good faith and good conscience dictate.
1.2 Members should hold as their main priorities as trainers,
the welfare of all dogs with which they come into professional or personal contact and the
integrity of the relationship between client and dog. There should be a signed agreement
between member and client stating the responsibilities of each.
1.3 The PDTE should aim to positively declare and provide a forum
for its members to share ideas and information and to better educate themselves as
professional trainers. To this end, members should actively seek to learn and to help
educate their peers, recognising that continual broadening of all members' knowledge can
only benefit our clients and their dogs.
1.4 The PDTE would recommend and encourage members to provide
an ongoing record of their professional development.
1.5 Members of the PDTE should where appropriate, actively
promote responsible and ethical:- training, counselling, therapy, breeding, selling,
rescuing and management of dogs.
1.6 Members may not practise when in a physical or mental
condition that would adversely affect the integrity of the relationships between members,
clients and their dogs.
1.7 It is obligatory that members have insurance for both
professional indemnity and public liability.
1.8 The PDTE as a body shall provide a forum for trainers
and their clients to voice concerns, complaints or thanks and shall aim to put into place
a system, where appropriate, for disciplinary action. Consequences shall be at the
discretion of the PDTE who will endeavour to deal with matters in a fair and unbiased
manner.
1.9 Submissions for revisions to the Code of Ethics shall be
accepted at any time and the Code will be reviewed and voted on annually by the general
membership.
1.10 Members shall aim to be aware of and act within all local laws.
2. Training Practices
Members of the PDTE shall strive to...
2.1 Employ and promote only humane techniques in the training
and handling of dogs, being prepared to provide guidance and advice on the appropriateness
of techniques in consideration of dog breed and temperament, client knowledge and ability,
and environmental influences.
2.2 Discourage and reject gratuitous or non-instructive,
physical or psychological punishment of dogs, instead advising or instructing clients, where
appropriate, on humane, instructive means of communication with their dogs.
2.3 Discourage and reject inhumane or unkind physical or
psychological treatment of dogs (as distinct from punishment in 2.2).
2.4 Refrain from suggesting the use of prescribed drugs
and medications or medical diagnoses, other than those substances readily available to the
general public for pet dogs in accordance with the laws and practices of each country.
Directions for use must be included.
2.5 Inform and maintain contact with the veterinarian during
the treatment period where appropriate, if using remedies such as alternative medicines.
If suggesting the use of such remedies members should have a good working knowledge in this
field.
2.6 Keep an open mind with regard to new training ideas,
techniques and equipment, promoting only those which have been humanely tried and tested,
and should continue to educate themselves in their field and share the results of their
research.
2.7 Treat all clients and their dogs in a responsible and
professional manner, regardless of their ability or breed.
3. Business Practices
Members of the PDTE shall strive to...
3.1 Keep accurate and complete records of all clients and their
dogs, as appropriate and for an appropriate length of time.
3.2 Credit the work of others appropriately where publication
or broadcast of such work is made.
3.3 Be prepared for classes or consultations.
3.4 Declare the degree of success that could be expected and
the anticipated limitations of training, behaviour therapy or general advice given, and
refrain from promising unqualified "guaranteed methods" or "secret cures".
3.5 When using advertising, promotional materials
or other communications, members should only use accurate statements or representations and
only use titles, degrees or diplomas to which they are entitled. Claims of past performance
must be accurate and verifiable. Any endorsements used or inferred must have actually been
achieved.
3.6 Stress in the publication or broadcast of training
advice, where appropriate, that such advice is provisional and that active training
cannot fully be provided by telephone, in a broadcast or in a published article and that
certain problems are best suited to the personal attention of a dog trainer or other professionals
in the field.
3.7 Keep class sizes to a number which allow appropriate
attention to be given to all class members.
3.8 Refrain from knowingly supporting or promoting, whether
by advice or referral or transactions or financial contribution, the inhumane breeding
of dogs, such as so-called "puppy farms" or "puppy mills" and their retail
associates.
3.9 In case of a person with serious need and without
appropriate financial ability, help absorb the cost or refer to a trainer or organisation
willing to help absorb the cost.
3.10 Be honest and fair in assessing the needs of clients and their
dogs and forthcoming with such assessment, providing in advance, where possible,
a realistic estimate of time and cost to satisfy such needs (for example not to "stretch"
trainers to sell unnecessary classes, consultations or equipment).
4. Relationship with PDTE Members and Other Trainers.
Members of the PDTE shall strive to...
4.1 Represent the PDTE in good faith, while refraining from
public or private promotion or endorsement of any product or service in the name
of the PDTE, without the expressed written consent of the Officers of the PDTE,
as directed by the membership.
4.2 Maintain a spirit of co-operation with PDTE members and
refrain from criticising members and trainers in public or to clients.
4.3 Refrain from infringement upon another trainer's signature
mark, copyright, business name or slogan.
4.4 Avoid knowingly soliciting other trainer's clients, except
where some arrangement or co-operation is made.
4.5 Refer clients to other PDTE members with appropriate
expertise, where they themselves are unable to provide services required.
4.6 Consider and protect the interests of the PDTE and its
members.
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