Accreditation of dog trainers
What is the AVS-Accredited Certified Dog Trainer (ACDT) Scheme?
The AVS-Accredited Certified Dog Trainer (ACDT) Scheme was launched on 10 December 2022 as a benchmark for competency in dog training to better manage dog aggression and other disamenities in an effective and humane way.
Under this scheme, dog trainers will need to obtain certification from the following four independent animal behaviour and training organisations:
- International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
- the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)
- the Animal Behaviour Society (ABS)
- the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB)
This ensures that accredited trainers possess a basic understanding of science-based training methods, dog welfare and behaviour, are committed to ethical training approaches, and meet international standards of competency.
It is voluntary for dog trainers to be accredited under the ACDT scheme. Breeds of dogs listed in the Second Schedule of the Animals and Birds (Dog Licensing and Control) Rules will continue to be required to undergo training by a trainer accredited by AVS, under the ACDT Scheme.
How can I get on the AVS-ACDT Scheme?
If you are a dog trainer and would like to join the ACDT Scheme,
- Obtain the Certificate(s) of relevant professional qualifications from any of the four independent animal behaviour and training organisations listed above
- Sign the Terms of Accreditation (TOA)
- Submit an application via this form, with the above documents
Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application through email within 14 working days. Please note that only fully completed applications will be processed.
Who is currently accredited under the AVS-ACDT Scheme?
The full list of ACDT trainers can be found below (updated as of 11 July 2024).
| Name of Trainer | Relevant Certification* | Name of Business | Contact No. | |
| Alan Tibtem - Tay Zi Jian | IAABC-ADT | Pawsitivemind | pawsitivemind@gmail.com | 9489 7602 |
| Amily Low | IAABC-ADT | Talk With Dog Singapore | talkwithdog.sg@gmail.com |
9626 7905 |
| Andrea Thong | IAABC-ADT | The Oasis SG Pte Ltd | andrea@theoasis.sg | 8830 9235 |
| Ang Wei En | IAABC-ADT | Puppy Colours Academy Pte Ltd | weien.ang@puppycolours.com | 9626 5302 |
| Angie Tan | CPDT-KSA | Puppylove - 100% Dog-friendly Training | angie@puppylovedogtraining.com | - |
| Anna Koo | CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA | Mutt Matters | annakoo@mutt-matters.com | 8366 0720 |
| Candy Lim-Soliano | IAABC-ADT | Kaizen 4 Dogs | candylim@gmail.com | 9625 6450 |
| Chew Boon Fong | CPDT-KA | The Good Pup | hello@thegoodpup.com.sg |
8770 2845 |
| Chong Qiai | IAABC-CSB-D, CPDT-KSA |
Pet Coach SG Pte. Ltd. |
info@petcoach.sg |
9618 6974 |
| Choo Kwang Meng | IAABC-ADT | Gentlepaws | wowwee123@yahoo.com.sg | 8126 3952 |
| Daryle Goh | IAABC-ADT | Happy Paw Ark Pte Ltd |
admin@paw-ark.com | 9170 5312 |
| Dexter Sim | IAABC-ADT | Puppy to Utility Practical Solutions, (PUPS) LLP |
pupsdex@gmail.com | 8774 0168 |
| Doris Lam | CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA | Perfect K9 | info@perfectk9.com | 9623 0782 |
| Florence Koh | IAABC-ADT |
Gentlepaws | florencekoh3564@gmail.com | 8126 3950 |
| Fraser Noble | IAABC-ADT | Noble Canine | fraser@noble-canine.com | 8608 5691 |
| Fred Leow | IAABC-CDBC | - | acesfred@gmail.com | 9746 6207 |
| Gan Theng Wei | IAABC-ADT | Motivating Canine | motivatingcanine@gmail.com | - |
| Izzy Gardin | IAABC-ADT | Tail Tips Dog Training | izzy@tailtipstraining.com | 9468 9711 |
| Jacky Tan | IAABC-ADT | Hopefordogs Canine Training | jacky@hopefordogs.sg | 8222 8376 |
| Jennifer Chua | IAABC-ADT | Motivating Canine | motivatingcanine@gmail.com | 8123 6960 (Whatsapp only) |
| Jeryl Ng | IAABC-ADT | Jeryl (Behaviour Specialist) | - | 9226 2292 |
| Joy Neo | CPDT-KA | JOYNEO.CO Dog Training | connect@joyneo.co | 9876 3200 |
| Joseph Lim | IAABC-ADT | - | teamfrm@yahoo.com.sg | 9710 2200 |
| June Lim | IAABC-ADT | A Smiling Leash | hello@asmilingleash.com | 9889 7761 |
| Kang Nee | IAABC-CDBC, CPDT-KA | cheerfuldogs.com | Contact via: https://cheerfuldogs.com/contact/ | - |
| Kevin Yeo | CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA | Pawrus® | wecare@pawrus.com.sg | 8223 9340 |
| Kimberly Tan | CPDT-KA | K9 Kampong |
kim.k9kampong@gmail.com | 9152 6932 |
| Liang Xutian | IAABC-CDBC | West Coast Vetcare Pte Ltd | liang.xutian@gmail.com | +61 467 044 761 (Whatsapp only) |
| Liu Xiaoxuan (Xuan) | IAABC-ADT | Allies of Dogs | hello@alliesofdogs.com | 9227 2500 |
| Low Kok Choon | CPDT-KA | Companion Dog Trainer | - | 9770 3529 |
| Mark McDade | CPDT-KA | Happy-Dog Training Pte. Ltd. | happy_dogtraining@yahoo.com.sg | 9183 3009 |
| Max Chua | IAABC-ADT | - | chuatk32237@yahoo.com | 9746 1205 |
| Megan Kearney | CPDT-KA | Megan K9 Training | hello@megank9training.com | 9326 7743 |
| Monica Henson | IAABC-ADT | - | monica.henson@gmail.com | 9025 0976 |
| Natalie Chan | IAABC-ADT | - | - | 9277 9190 |
| Pathmavathi T Somasundram | IAABC-ADT | Happy Paw Ark Pte Ltd | admin@paw-ark.com | 9170 5312 |
| Patrick Koh Tian Lock | IAABC-ADT | Pawsitive Furkids | woof@pawsitivefurkids.com | 9027 6873 |
| Poh Su Lin | CPDT-KA | K9 Kampong | k9kampong@gmail.com | 9028 0121 |
| Poh Wee Boon | IAABC-ADT | The Positive Academy and Wellness Centre Pte Ltd | contact@thepositiveacademy.com | 9651 3063 |
| Theresa Yoong | CPDT-KA | Paws In The City Dog Training | info@pawsinthecity.sg | - |
| Veronica Tan | IAABC-ADT, CPDT-KA | Pawsitive Furkids Pte. Ltd. |
woof@pawsitivefurkids.com | 9737 4713 |
| Webster Cheong | IAABC-ADT, CPDT-KA |
Pet Coach SG Pte. Ltd. |
info@petcoach.sg | 9690 7173 |
| Wilson Song | IAABC-ADT | Supaw Dog Training | info@supawdogtraining.com | 8891 0863 |
| Yap Shi Ying | IAABC-ADT | Click With Dogs | clickwithdogs@gmail.com | 8727 9297 |
*IAABC-CDBC: International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants - Certified Dog Behaviour Consultant
*IAABC-CSB-D: International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants - Certified in Shelter Behaviour - Dog
*IAABC-ADT: International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants - Accredited Dog Trainer
*CCPDT CBCC-KA: Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (Certified Behaviour Consultant Canine - Knowledge Assessed)
*CCPDT CPDT-KSA: Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge and Skills Assessed)
*CCPDT CPDT-KA: Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed)
I am currently accredited under PADT. How can I get on the new ACDT Scheme?
Trainers already accredited under the PADT can continue practicing as an “AVS-accredited trainer” for two years until 10 December 2024. You are encouraged to apply for the new ACDT before this date. After which, AVS will remove PADT trainers who are unable to meet the criteria required for accreditation under the ACDT scheme from the list of AVS-accredited dog trainers under PADT.
How do I upskill my skills as a dog trainer?
AVS will organise webinars and workshops to upskill dog trainers and facilitate them in obtaining the necessary knowledge for successful certification, and to aid the current PADT trainers in their transition to the ACDT scheme. For more updates, please check back this webpage.
For more information on the ACDT Scheme, please refer to our info sheet.