08/05/2025
The CCPDT had one job - protect dogs from harmful training practices. Instead, they've just created a policy that allows trainers to shock dogs with separation anxiety.
They didn't just fail to ban these tools. They literally created a system that GUARANTEES they'll be used on the dogs who will be hurt most by them.
How, well there are fundamental problems with the policy (aside from the fact that it’s 2025 and a major credentialing body still thinks shock is okay…)
* The first problem: "Pain is fine sometimes" *
The CCPDT could have taken a stand. These pain tools are outdated, unnecessary and harmful.
Instead they basically said "These tools are fine just fill out the right forms and make sure you say you’ve tried other methods first."
This supposed “last resort” approach alone puts every single dog at risk.
To me, when tools designed to cause discomfort or pain remain an option, no dog is ever fully safe. Who defines when other methods have been "exhausted"? How skillfully were those other methods applied? Does this clause truly prevent a trainer predisposed to using aversives from reaching for them prematurely? These are critical, practical questions.
* The second problem: Vulnerable dogs get ZERO protection…ZERO!!! *
This is where it gets really bad.
The policy says shock collars are not allowed for "addressing anxiety, fears, or phobias."
But there's a massive problem they don't address: Who gets to decide if a dog is anxious or supposedly “stubborn” (or whatever inaccurate or sloppy label a trainer decides to use)?
The answer? Any trainer with CCPDT letters after their name.
• No need for behavior credentials
• No actual criteria for making this call
• Nobody checking their work
• NO requirement to consult with a vet behaviorist
• NO requirement to refer to a certified behaviour consultant
• NO need for a second opinion AT ALL
They can just decide on their own that a dog isn't anxious and reach for the shock collar. Whenever. However. Easily and readily.
Let's see what this means for a dog with separation anxiety
Picture this: A family's dog howls, barks, and scratches at the door when left alone. They call a CCPDT-certified trainer for help.
Scenario 1: The trainer recognizes separation anxiety. Great! They can't use a shock collar.
Scenario 2: The trainer either isn’t skilled enough to spot anxiety ORor they chose not to. They can now say "This isn't anxiety. This is demand barking because you've reinforced it. The dog is manipulating you." Or the dog is “just frustrated”. Green light for the shock collar!
Now with the CCPDT's blessing they recommend:
• A bark collar that shocks the dog every time it cries out for help
• The dog panics more but silently
• The barking stops (because the dog is now too terrified to make noise)
• The trainer declares success
• Meanwhile the dog's emotional state gets WORSE
• The underlying anxiety is still there, just suppressed
• The dog develops other symptoms like self-harm, pacing, drooling
This is NOT theoretical. I've spent years helping dogs recover from exactly this scenario.
* This is already happening all the time *
I've worked with anxious dogs for 15 years. I've seen so many cases where fear gets called defiance, anxiety gets labeled manipulation, and panic gets punished as disobedience.
Now the CCPDT basically validated all that through these giant loopholes.
* This gets even weirder *
The CCPDT requires trainers to have advanced behavior credentials (CBCC-KA) just to teach about separation anxiety.
But according to this policy, any certified trainer without those credentials can diagnose it's NOT anxiety and shock the dog.
Make it make sense!
*This hurts all dogs *
This policy fails EVERY dog by allowing tools that hurt and scare them.
But it REALLY fails anxious and fearful dogs who will get shocked and pronged for behaviors that come from emotional distress while trainers claim they're being ethical.
We need better standards now
Let's be real. Tools that hurt dogs don't belong in professional training. Period.
We don't need fancy policies about when it's "ok" to shock dogs. We need to stop using these tools altogether.
Our dogs deserve better. Our professional orgs should know better by now.
If you care about this speak up. Share this. Read the policy yourself. Make some noise.
Because dogs shouldn't get shocked for being scared. And this policy means they will. That's not training that's just wrong.
