We're Certified Humane

I noticed the top of the Brown Cow yogurt I recently purchased. It read "We're Certified Humane". I continued to read, "Our farmers have always treated their cows with kindness. But, now that we're certified humane, you can be certain the ladies enjoy ample space, shelter, gentle handling, healthy food, clean water, and a safe living environment."

Dog Trainers

I reflected on those words and wondered if that phrase could also be used with dog trainers. Just imagine, if a trainer uses science-based, positive-reinforcement training, everything associated with them would say, "I'm certified humane." A further expanded explanation could read, "My dogs and the dogs in my training classes and lessons have always been treated with kindness. But, now that we're certified humane, you can be certain that they are treated gently, are encouraged to make good choices and are rewarded well for those choices, are not seen as something to dominate, and are taught very patiently, while their people are supported in building bonding relationships with their dogs."

Certifications

Of course, if you are a Victoria Stilwell licensed trainer (VSPDT), you will likely have the Positively sign to the right (or something similar) on your website, so it will be obvious. Otherwise, it's not always so clear. I try and be very selective in who I follow online and often can't tell what training methods a professional trainer uses by looking at their website. Trainers who use dominance-based training methods often use deceptive words that could misguide potential clients. And dog lovers in search of a trainer may not know what science-based/ reward based/positive reinforcement training really is all about. And the initials KPA, CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP, CDBC, and CDAC might as well be in Greek to some of them.

Food for thought

What do you think? What words could be used to make it clear what kind of training method a trainer uses? Should a trainer that uses dominate-based training methods be required to say so? And should there be a certification that would allow trainers to post a sign that says "We're Certified Humane" if they use positive reinforcement training?