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Contact Us

By Post

Send all correspondence to:

The Secretary
APDT Australia Inc
PO Box 58
SPIT JUNCTION 2088
AUSTRALIA


By Email

If you have any questions or need information, contact the secretary: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Other useful contacts include:

Membership Secretary This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. M 0425 206 021
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Find out the members who are this year's Committee Members and the Regional Representatives.


 

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Membership Levels

You have the choice of Full Membership or Associate Membership. Once you complete the application and pay your annual membership subscription, your application is submitted for review at the monthly meeting of the APDT Committee. The committee meets on the second Friday of every month. You should hear whether you application has been successful in the week following that monthly meeting.

 

Full Membership

Annual Subscription: A$65.00 which becomes due and payable on the anniversary of the date you joined the APDT.

Full Membership is open to any adult person who has an interest in the field of pet dog training and agrees to abide by the Constitution (for the time being in force) and supports the Vision and Mission Statements and the Code of Ethics of APDT Australia Inc. Benefits include listing in the membership directory and trainer directory, subscription to the magazine Click! and irregular eNewsletters, use of the online library, voting privileges, reduced fees to official association events (seminars, workshops, etc) and the opportunity to use the APDT Australia Inc Logo in advertising*.

*If you would like to use the APDT Australia Inc Logo, please apply by sending an email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Join online now or download our MembershipForm.pdf

Associate Membership

Annual Subscription: A$55.00 which becomes due and payable on the anniversary of the date you joined the APDT.

Associate Membership is open to any adult person who has an interest in dogs, and agrees to abide by the Constitution (for the time being in force) and supports the Vision and Mission Statements and the Code of Ethics of APDT Australia Inc. Benefits include listing in the membership directory, email subscription to the magazine Click! and irregular eNewsletters, use of the online library, voting privileges and reduced fees to official association events (seminars, workshops, etc). Associates enjoy the same benefits as Full members with the exception of listing in the Trainer Directory and use of the APDT Australia Inc Logo in advertising.

Join online now or download our MembershipForm.pdf

Overseas Membership

As an overseas members you receive an email subscription to the magazine Click! and irregular eNewsletters. If you wish to receive a hard copy of Click! via post, please add A$30 to the above Annual Subscription fee to cover additional postage costs.

Upgrade Your Membership

Members may at any time upgrade their membership online or by re-submitting a signed application form together with the appropriate membership fee difference.

 


Why Join APDT

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Join the APDT and enjoy some great membership benefits

Discounted Fees to our Annual Conference

Our annual conferences feature international and local speakers who are at the forefront of expertise and technology. Speakers have included world-renowned experts and authors such as Ian Dunbar, Jean Donaldson, Patricia McConnell, Suzanne Hetts, Nicole Wilde, Sue Sternberg, Ken Ramirez &Steve White.

Free quarterly magazine – Click!

Click! is a valuable resource for members. It contains up-to-date information, with articles by trainers and specialists the world over, book reviews, regular columns and news of upcoming events. Past issues have featured articles by our conference speakers and many others including Dr Ian Dunbar, Suzanne Clothier, James O'Heare, Karen Overall, Karen Pryor and local experts such as Kersti Seksel and Joanne Righetti.

Discounted Fees to Workshops

In addition to the annual conference we hold regular workshops. Topics have ranged from Exotic Animal Training to Physiotherapy for Canines to managing aggressive dogs.

Free access to the APDT Library

Our library of books, videos, CDs and DVDs includes hundreds of titles. We extend the collection regularly through purchases and donations. Members are encouraged to borrow. There are no borrowing fees.

Access to Members Only Yahoo Group and APDT Facebook

Ask for access and have the opportunity to ask advice and share thoughts and experiences with other members in a supportive environment.

List your services in the Trainers Directory

If you want to advertise your services and you are a full member, you can list yourself and your business in the Trainers Directory.

Use of the APDT logo on your marketing material

If you are a full member, you can apply to use the Association logo in your marketing material.

Who Can Join?

Membership of APDT Australia is open to anyone with an interest in dog training and behaviour. From family pet dog owner to professional dog trainer, veterinarian, vet technician, groomer, breeder, shelter worker, dog club volunteer, dog sport enthusiast - all who work and live with pet dogs are invited to join the association.

Download the APDT flyer, print a copy to give to your friends and let them know about us too!

How To Choose A Trainer

Full members of APDT Australia can choose to have an entry in the APDT Trainers Directory.
In placing an entry into the directory, APDT Australia does not endorse these members or their training services.

Our membership includes trainers with a wide range of skill, knowledge and experience, and with a wide variety of approaches to training dogs and people. Nevertheless, all members agree to abide by the APDT Code of Ethics.
Membership of APDT Australia does not ensure that a trainer has attained a particular level of competence.
Members might use trainers in their business who are not APDT Australia members.

In Australia there are currently no requirements or standards that people must meet in order to advertise themselves as dog trainers so it is a case of 'buyer beware'!

APDT Australia's mission is education and we encourage our members to use dog-friendly training methods based on rewards not punishment.

Here are some suggestions to help you find a trainer to suit you and your dog:

1. Ask around

  • Ask around at local vet clinics, animal shelters, groomers or other people who work with dogs to see if they can personally recommend a trainer.
  • Ask dog owners at the local park or in your neighbourhood, for a trainer who has helped them.

2. What to ask the trainer

  • What is your area of expertise - pet training, behavioural problems, competition obedience?
  • How many years experience have you had training dogs? Teaching or consulting with people?
  • Do you have any accreditation or formal training?
  • What methods do you use?
  • What class would my dog be suitable for? (puppy, beginners, advanced?)
  • What is the instructor/student ratio in your classes?
  • May I come and preview one of your classes?
  • May I contact a recent client for a reference?
  • Does the trainer require dogs in class to be vaccinated or to have a health check?

3. Assess the answers

  • Is the trainer happy to take time to answer your questions?
  • Are methods based on rewarding desired behaviours? APDT Australia advocates dog-friendly training methods based on positive motivational training.
  • Avoid trainers who insist that physical abuse of any kind is necessary to train a dog. Abuse begins when knowledge ends.
  • Are you welcome to preview the class - good trainers welcome visitors (without dogs of course).
  • Avoid trainers who 'guarantee results'. Variables in dogs, owners and the environment mean that training outcomes cannot be guaranteed. Can you 'guarantee' your children's behaviour for the rest of their lives?

4. At the classes

  • What feeling do you get at the classes? Are dogs and owners having a good time?
  • Is the atmosphere relaxed but orderly?
  • What is the instructor's attitude to the dogs?
  • What is the instructor's attitude to the owners? Reward training isn't just for dogs - it's for owners too. A skilled trainer will demonstrate and explain each training exercise clearly and attend to questions courteously and professionally.

APDT Australia is a non-profit organisation committed to providing ongoing education for dog trainers based upon sound scientific principles and current best practice. The APDT Australia Trainers Directory has listings for trainers around Australia.

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