The Association of Pet Dog Trainers Ireland (APDT Ireland) is delighted to announce its launch at the 2010 Pet Expo in the RDS on July 3rd

The first APDT was founded in 1993 by Ian Dunbar Ph.D., MVB, MRCVS, as a forum for trainers to network with one another, and to provide educational opportunities. Since then, the APDT has gone international, with branches in many countries across the world. With 60,000 members, the APDT is the largest dog trainers association in the world.

APDT Ireland was founded by a group of trainers who are certified in the fields of zoology, animal behaviour and dog behaviour in recognised and accredited universities, colleges and training centers.

Their aim in setting up an Irish branch of the APDT was to set standards of excellence within the industry in Ireland. All members are assessed to ensure a good knowledge of the science of learning, and the practical application of this knowledge in the dog training class. Members of the APDT Ireland may not use coercive punishment, pain or fear as tactics for dog training, nor use equipment which is known to cause pain or fear. The aim of members is to make sure that owners and their dogs enjoy their training in a relaxed but properly controlled environment. To make sure that trainers are keeping up-to-date, APDT Ireland members must continue and develop their own training and education.

Now that Ireland has its own APDT, Irish dog owners now have a place to go to find a trainer who has been assessed and is using only dog-friendly training methods. The website can be found at www.apdt.ie.

Owners can expect their APDT Ireland trainer to be highly professional, competent, knowledgeable, and who will make dog training fun yet effective for both dog and owner.

We're thrilled and proud to announce that we have some of the world's best known experts in dog behaviour and training as our patrons, including Dr. Ian Dunbar himself, Kelly Gorman Dunbar (Open Paw, CAAB), Andrea Arden (Andrea Arden Dog Training, APDT), and Prof. Peter Neville of UK-based Centre of Applied Pet Ethology (COAPE).

The Association of Pet Dog Trainers Ireland was launched at the Pet Expo on Saturday July 2nd. Thank you too patron Andrea Arden, and Irish singer and dog fan Linda Martin for joining us on the day and lending their support.