As an Organisational Member of the IAABC we follow their Standards and Code of Conduct –
(please note wording has been adjusted to refer to PADs Trainers) for original document please
see: https://iaabc.org/code-of-ethics
All Volunteer Trainers are required to follow the Joint Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics
adopted by PADs Foundation and originally by the IAABC in 2018. Our standards are intended to
build animal behaviour practice as a profession that holds a high degree of trust from the general
public / PADs Members. The IAABC educates its members on how to follow these standards and
holds them accountable through their ethics complaint process. All Trainers external or volunteer
PADs must read and agree to these requirements.
The Standards of Practice provide a framework of principles to convey a collective principle of
professionalism, skills and values in positive reinforcement-based training. As registered, ethical
Trainers each individual trainer will undertake the following:
• To understand and promote Force Free training and behaviour work.
• To continue professional development by reading relevant material; attending
conferences, workshops and seminars; and pursuing other educational opportunities.
• To review and understand source material and academic texts for information.
• To abstain from representing training and behavioural information as scientific, unless the
information is derived from peer-reviewed and published research.
• To refrain from offering guarantees regarding the outcome of training and behaviour work.
• To always maintain professionalism through: Providing your services honestly.
• Treating animals and clients respectfully valuing and preserving the privacy of clients
Maintaining professionalism with colleagues and other professionals.
The Professional Code of Ethics was created to set forth guidelines for Trainers. Any Trainer is
subject to termination of role, and/or other disciplinary actions if they: (a) are convicted of a
felony that involves violence against people or animals (b) engage in conduct which could lead
to conviction of a felony, or a misdemeanour, related to their qualifications or functions; (c)
engage in cruelty, abuse, or neglect of animals or humans, crimes against humanity or of
violence against animals or humans; (d) fail to cooperate with the organisation at any point from
the inception of an ethical complaint through the completion of all proceedings regarding that
complaint. Any Trainer, who wishes to appeal the role termination may do so in accordance with
the complaints process.
1.1 Trainers/behaviour consultants provide professional assistance to persons without
discrimination on the basis of race, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disability, gender,
health status, religion, political beliefs, national origin, or sexual orientation.
1.2 Trainers/behaviour consultants are aware of, and comply with, applicable laws regarding the
reporting of animal bites and suspected abuse or neglect.
1.3 Trainers/behaviour consultants respect the right of clients to make decisions regarding their
pet’s management, training and care. Trainers/behaviour consultants are responsible for helping
clients understand the potential consequences of those decisions.
1.4 Trainers/behaviour consultants obtain informed consent from clients and PADs before
videotaping, audio recording, or permitting third-party observation.
1.5 Trainers/behaviour consultants obtain signed waivers, contracts, or agreements prior to the
start of services. Please note that PADs Volunteer Trainers will obtain a PADs specific signed
waiver.
1.6 Trainers/behaviour consultants ensure and oversee the safety of clients, animals, and the
public in implementing training and behaviour programs.
1.7 Trainers/behaviour consultants create for clients, students, and colleagues a learning
environment safe from harassment, including sexual harassment, in all work settings including
industry-related social events, training sessions, and conferences. *
Principle II: Confidentiality
2.1 Trainers/behaviour consultants do not share confidential information that could reasonably
lead to the identification of a client, or prospective client, or other person with whom they have
a confidential relationship, unless they have obtained the prior written consent of the client, or
other person with whom they have a confidential relationship.
2.2 Trainers/behaviour consultants keep accurate and complete records of all clients, their
animals, services provided, and the conclusion of the services provided.
2.3 Trainers/behaviour consultants provide referring veterinarians with professional feedback on
services provided and training or behaviour plans to improve continuity of care and ensure the
collaborative relationship between health and behaviour professionals.
Principle III: Professional Competence and Integrity
3.1 Trainers/behaviour consultants reject the use of aversive stimuli and maximise the effective
use of positive reinforcement to modify animal behaviour through Force Free based approach.
3.2 Trainers/behaviour consultants maintain competence in training and behaviour through
continuing education.
3.3 Trainers/behaviour consultants maintain adequate knowledge of, and adhere to, applicable
laws, ethics, and professional standards.
3.4 Trainers/behaviour consultants provide truthful advertising and representation concerning
their qualifications, certifications, experience, performance and pricing of services.
3.5 Trainers/behaviour consultants refrain from providing guarantees regarding the specific
outcome of training and behaviour plans.
3.6 Trainers/behaviour consultants provide full disclosure of potential conflicts of interest to
clients and other professionals.
3.7 Trainers/behaviour consultants work within their professional education and individual
expertise.
3.8 Trainers/behaviour consultants seek help and education when confronted with complex or
difficult cases, and refrain from taking cases beyond their professional experience.
3.9 Trainers/behaviour consultants do not advise on problems outside the recognised
professional education and certifications, and do not provide advice or recommendations in
areas of veterinary medicine or family counselling unless licensed and qualified to do so.
3.10 Trainers/behaviour consultants do not permit employees, subcontractors or supervisees to
PADs Foundation Trainer Standards and Code of Conduct Document v3.3 August 2025
perform or to hold themselves out as competent to perform professional services beyond their
training, level of experience, and competence based on certification and education.
3.11 Trainers/behaviour consultants exercise care when stating their professional
recommendations and opinions through public statements.
Principle IV: Responsibility to the Profession
4.1 Trainers/behaviour consultants are respectful of colleagues and other professionals and do
not condemn the character of their professional acts, nor engage in public commentary,
including commentary in public presentations, written media or on websites, internet discussion
lists or social media, that is disrespectful, derisive or inflammatory. This includes cyberbullying,
that is, the use of electronic media for deliberate, repeated and hostile behaviour against
colleagues.
4.2 Professional trainers/behaviour consultants maintain adequate professional liability insurance
coverage.
Principle V: Financial Arrangements & Truthful Representation of Services
5.1 Prior to entering into the professional relationship, Trainers/behaviour consultants clearly
disclose and explain to clients all financial arrangements and fees related to professional
services.
5.2 Trainers/behaviour consultants represent facts truthfully to clients, third party payers and
students regarding services rendered.
Principle VI: Advertising
6.1 Trainers/behaviour consultants accurately represent their competencies, education, training,
and experience relevant to their practice of training and behaviour.
6.2 Trainers/behaviour consultants do not use titles that could mislead the public concerning the
identity, responsibility, source, and status of those practicing under that name.
6.3 Trainers/behaviour consultants correct, wherever possible, false, misleading, or inaccurate
information and representations made by others concerning the consultant’s qualifications,
services, or products.
6.4 Trainers/behaviour consultants do not represent themselves as providing specialised services
unless they have the appropriate education, training, or experience.
6.5 Trainers/behaviour consultants refrain from making misrepresentations regarding marketing
and logos for which the practitioner is no longer eligible, and remove logos and claims of
certification when no longer maintained by the practitioner.
6.6 Trainers/behaviour consultants agree to use the most current logos, and follow
recommended usage of said marketing materials.
6.7 Trainers / behaviour consultants shall not commit business fraud, plagiarism or copyright
infringement, misuse or misappropriation of logos, trademarks, theft of intellectual property,
slander or libel.
* This is an IAABC member guideline requirement and not part of the Joint Standards.
