CAPDT Accredited Schools
CAPDT has completed and put into motion the National Dog Training Curriculum Standard, developed through collaboration with educators, industry professionals, and CAPDT members.
The National Curriculum Standard establishes a shared body of knowledge for professional dog trainer education in Canada. It is designed to support consistent, quality education while allowing schools flexibility in how they deliver their programs, provided core competencies, ethical expectations, and professional standards are met.
The National Dog Training Curriculum Standard
CAPDT has completed and put into motion the National Dog Training Curriculum Standard. This standard was developed through collaboration with educators, industry professionals, and CAPDT members.
The National Curriculum Standard establishes a shared body of knowledge for professional dog trainer education in Canada. It is designed to support consistent education while allowing schools flexibility in how they deliver their programs, provided core competencies, ethical expectations, and professional standards are met.
The CAPDT National Curriculum includes key areas such as:
- Animal learning theory
- Animal training techniques
- Ethics in dog training
- Teaching humans and dogs
- Canine behaviour and life stages
- Canine health and care
- Dog handling, tools, and equipment
- Laws and regulations relevant to dog trainers
- Practical skills and dog training practicum
The curriculum is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current, evidence-informed, and responsive to the evolving needs of the profession.
CAPDT School Accreditation
CAPDT is actively accrediting dog training education programs that align with the National Dog Training Curriculum Standard.
School accreditation is designed to support transparency, consistency, quality education, animal welfare, and public trust. Accredited schools are reviewed for curriculum alignment, humane and ethical training expectations, instructor qualifications, student assessment processes, and practical skills development.
Curriculum-contributing schools have been prioritized during the first phase of the accreditation rollout. Additional schools, colleges, and universities will be invited to pursue accreditation as the program expands.
Becoming a CAPDT-Accredited School
Schools and educational institutions interested in CAPDT accreditation should offer dog trainer education that aligns with the National Dog Training Curriculum Standard and its core competencies, ethical expectations, and professional standards.
As part of the accreditation process, programs are reviewed in areas including:
- Alignment with the CAPDT National Dog Training Curriculum Standard
- Humane and ethical training expectations
- Instructor qualifications
- Student assessment processes
- Practical skills development
CAPDT will continue expanding the accreditation program as the initial rollout progresses. Schools, colleges, and universities interested in learning more about accreditation or future application opportunities are encouraged to contact CAPDT’s Professional Standards and National Curriculum Committee.
Contact: psnc-committee@capdt.ca
CAPDT’s First Accredited School
CAPDT is pleased to recognize Good Dog Academy as the first CAPDT-Accredited Dog Trainer Education School.
Good Dog Academy has participated in the early implementation phase of CAPDT’s school accreditation process and has demonstrated alignment with CAPDT’s National Dog Training Curriculum Standard.
Prospective students interested in a CAPDT- Accredited Dog Trainer Education Program may contact Good Dog Academy directly for information about their program structure, enrollment, curriculum delivery, and student requirements.