Code of Ethics

Introduction:

The Canine & Feline Behaviour Association (CFBA) has established this Code of Ethics to uphold professional standards for its Members, Associates, and Fellows who are Canine and Feline Practitioners (CFP’s). This code outlines the principles and expectations that guide our members in their practice and primarily for the pet owning public. For the purposes of clarity CFP’s will be refereed to as Behaviour Practitioners

Legality and Ethical Framework:

• All dog behaviour methodologies must conform to the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and all related laws in England & Wales and Scotland.
• The CFBA endorses Operant Conditioning Science as a basis for it’s practice both positive and negative.

Referral and Patient Welfare:

• Behaviour Practitioners are authorised to accept patients by referral from veterinary surgeons and other professional bodies, such as KC and Welfare Societies.
• The welfare of the patient and client is always the primary consideration.

Insurance and Legal Compliance:

• Behaviour Practitioners are required to maintain adequate insurance, including Public Liability Insurance and Professional Indemnity Insurance, to cover any liabilities they may incur.
• Members are expected to operate within the boundaries of the law, and any violation of the law will result in the withdrawal of membership and support.

Responsibility to Patients, Clients, and the Public:

• Techniques and advice provided by Behaviour Practitioners should not knowingly cause avoidable psychological, physical distress, or harm to patients, clients, or the general public.
• The treatment approach must be consistent with the breed type and temperament of the dog or cat.

Criminal and Civil Law

All CFBA Members and Associates must comply with all criminal and civil laws appertaining to dogs and canine behaviour within the four nations of the United Kingdom when applying any training or behaviour modification methods.

Professional Behaviour and Informed Clients:

• Behaviour Practitioners base their techniques of behaviour modification on the knowledge and practical experience of leading behaviour practitioners in the UK.
• Clients should be fully informed about the nature and reasons for the methods used, along with any potential drawbacks. Behaviour Practitioners should not create unrealistic expectations, especially in theories as compared to practical outcomes.

Client Confidentiality and Privacy:

• Information acquired from clients is confidential. Any use of photography, video, or tape recordings must have the client’s consent.
• When using case studies for teaching or advancing knowledge, client anonymity must be maintained, and written permission should be obtained.

Pharmacology, behaviour modification, and professional relationships:

• Members shall not use, supply, or recommend mind-altering drugs for the modification of behaviour in dogs or cats. The prescription of such medicines is reserved to the veterinary surgeon. A member may work with a dog or cat already receiving them only where a veterinary surgeon has recommended that course in exceptional circumstances and judges it to be in that dog’s or cat’s best interest. In every such case the behaviour plan remains the member’s responsibility. Medication is not a substitute for assessment, management, or behaviour modification, and it is not to be presented to a client as one.
• The Association’s objection is to the routine use of these drugs as a treatment for behaviour. Unwanted behaviour is, in the great majority of cases, learned, maintained by consequences, and open to change by handling, management, and operant conditioning matched to the dog or cat and the household. A drug that reduces arousal, appetite, or general activity can make a problem look smaller without reforming it. Outcome is judged from the outside, by what the dog or cat does and by what the owner notices.
• The approach carries a flaw that does not arise in the same way in human medicine. A person can give an intelligent account of how a medicine feels: whether anxiety has eased, whether thinking is dulled, whether nausea, restlessness, or a flat mood has appeared, and whether the dose should stop. A dog or cat cannot. The prescriber and the owner must infer benefit from behaviour alone, while the same drug may sedate, suppress appetite, or inhibit activity. Those changes can be recorded as improvement when they are only the drug’s effect on output. The dog or cat cannot correct that reading, and cannot refuse the next dose. Clinical observation therefore cannot reliably separate a genuine change in state from suppression of the behaviour that brought the dog or cat to consultation.
• That limit is also recognised within the veterinary profession. Dr Julian Hoad, then president of the BSAVA, has said that it is not known whether dogs experience depression: “We can’t stick a dog on a psychiatrists’ couch and say, ‘Tell me about your previous life.’” He notes that these medicines were found to affect certain unwanted behaviours, and that most are given to change behaviour, to stimulate appetite, or to relieve pain — not because a human psychiatric diagnosis has been established in the dog. He has warned against “anthropomorphising” human illnesses onto dogs, and has said: “I do worry there’s a lot of times these drugs are given out instead of good behaviour advice, and certainly without the tandem approach of behavioral consultations.” He has also observed that some owners, short of time, conclude that a tablet will do the work. The same caution applies to cats.
• The Association agrees with that caution. A reported reduction in incidents is not, by itself, evidence that the dog’s or cat’s state has improved. Sedation, reduced appetite, and simple inhibition can be mistaken for success, particularly where no structured behaviour plan is running alongside the drug. Where a veterinary surgeon has already prescribed, the member’s duty is to be clear about what the behaviour work can and cannot achieve, to avoid creating the expectation that the medicine will resolve the problem, and to refer back to the prescribing veterinary surgeon if the dog’s or cat’s condition, welfare, or response raises concern.
• Members shall maintain a professional relationship with the client and with the attending veterinary surgeon. Any assistant who is not a member of the Association, and who works within a member’s practice, shall follow this clause.

Species Discipline and Membership Fees:

• Successful applicants can only practise within the specific species discipline for which they have been assessed and provided documentary evidence.
• Membership fees must be paid in advance, with renewal fees due one month before the expiry date of membership.

Value of CFBA Membership:

• CFBA membership signifies professionalism and experience in the field of dog and cat behaviour and Psychology.
• Members are recognized as qualified dog trainers, well-versed in all aspects of dog care, control, and education. This is critical in managing aggressive dogs.

Pet Insurance Cases and the Client:

• CFBA members are registered with relevant Pet Insurance Companies, allowing clients to use their policies for dog and cat behaviour cases.
• Clients with a veterinary referral can apply to their insurance company for coverage of consultations and subsequent behaviour advice/techniques, subject to the insurance company’s policies.

Information and Influence:

• The CFBA keeps members informed about the latest developments in the science of psychology, dog and cat behaviour, and new dog training techniques related to behaviour problem-solving which is always displayed on the CFBA web site
• The CFBA website may feature articles and information from members, subject to discretion and conditions.

Advocacy and Representation:

• The CFBA serves as a voice for the profession, offering advice to the pet industry, local government, charities, and welfare organisations.
• Members have a say in influencing new legislation that may impact their work. We also work with other organisation and also follow the guidelines of the Pet Education Training and behaviour Council.

Television and Radio Engagement:

• CFBA members often serve as experts on dog and cat programs, news segments, and media consultations, making the CFBA the market leader in media information.

CFBA Student Membership:

• Students from CIDBT or CFBA are not considered approved Associate or Full members of the CFBA.

Use of CFBA Logo:

• Members or Associates may use the CFBA logo as per the rules of membership outlined in the CFBA code of ethics herein. Once not a member it is illegal under criminal law to use the CFBA logo in any marketing.

CFBA Reputational Integrity Clause

Any member who, through their actions or conduct, brings or is reasonably likely to bring the Canine & Feline Behaviour Association (CFBA) into disrepute, thereby negatively affecting the reputation, standing, or public confidence in the organisation, shall be deemed to be in breach of the CFBA Code of Conduct.

The determination of whether such conduct constitutes bringing the Association into disrepute shall rest solely with the CFBA Fellows and/or the CFBA Executive Team, based on their judgement at the time the matter is raised. Their decision shall be final.

Insurance Claims and Fees Clause

CFBA members assisting a client with an insurance claim for behavioural work may only charge for work that has been completed at the time of submission. Members must not charge insurers or clients for work that is planned for the future or has not yet been performed. All invoices and claim forms must accurately reflect the services actually delivered and the time spent, ensuring transparency and integrity in all billing practices

CFBA Client Data Protection Clause

All CFBA members are mandatorily required to handle and secure client information in full compliance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and associated UK data protection legislation. Members must:

1. Collect, store, process, and share client data only for legitimate purposes directly related to the provision of canine or feline behavioural services.
2. Implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal data against unauthorised or unlawful processing, accidental loss, destruction, or damage.
3. Ensure that client information is only disclosed to third parties with the client’s explicit consent, unless otherwise required by law.
4. Retain client records only for as long as necessary for professional, legal, or regulatory purposes, and dispose of them securely once no longer required.

Failure to comply with these obligations may constitute a breach of the CFBA Code of Conduct and may result in disciplinary action, including suspension or termination of membership.

Termination of Membership:

• Membership of the Canine and Feline Behaviour Association is offered at the discretion of the Association. Submission of an application is an agreement to this Code of Ethics, including this section. Nothing in this Code confers a right to be admitted, or a right to remain a member.
• The Association may, at any time and at its absolute discretion, refuse an application, decline to renew membership, suspend membership, or terminate membership with immediate effect. The Association is not required to give reasons. A decision will ordinarily reflect the Association’s judgement that admission or continued membership is, or would be, incompatible with the standards, objects or interests of the Association, including the standards in this Code. Incompatibility may include conduct that brings, or is reasonably likely to bring, the Association into disrepute, a breach of this Code, or any other matter the Association considers inconsistent with membership.
• The Association will not enter into correspondence or a debate about that judgement. There is no right of appeal unless the Association expressly agrees otherwise in writing.
• On termination or non-renewal, the Association will refund the subscription paid for the current year, or for the last year if that year’s subscription has already been paid, within 28 days. The refund will be made by the method used for the payment, or by such other method as is agreed. No other sum is payable by reason of refusal, non-renewal, suspension or termination.
• From the date membership ends, the former member must not represent himself or herself as a member of the Association, use the Association’s name or logo, or hold himself or herself out as associated with the Association. Use of the CFBA logo in marketing after membership has ended is not permitted on any social media platform or elsewhere. Any logos or other trade mark of the CFBA must be erased immediately.

Understanding and Agreement:

• Applicants must understand and agree to the CFBA’s standards, codes of practice, education, and training philosophy which is in the online form you completed and agreed to the codes and ethics.
• Applicants engaged in more than 50% security-type work/protection dog work are ineligible for CFBA membership, unless an exception is granted by CFBA directors.

This Code of Ethics is mandatory and serves as a guide for members, setting high standards and expectations for the practice of canine and feline behaviour. Adherence to these principles is fundamental to maintaining the integrity and professionalism of CFBA members.

According to the terms outlined in this Code of Ethics, it is mandatory for members to respond to any correspondence email and or letter marked as “Most Important response required” within a time frame of 14 days from the date of receipt. This obligation is fundamental to the membership agreement and reflects our commitment to effective communication and collaboration within the association.

It is incumbent on the member to inform the CFBA in writing any changes of their email, telephone number and or address (bank details or changes ) to maintain communications with the administration office of the CFBA.

Client complaint procedure:

In the interest of fostering positive relationships and maintaining the integrity of the business-client dynamic, it is often advisable for a complainant to return to the behaviourist provider in an attempt to resolve disputes amicably. Direct engagement with the behaviourist allows for clear communication, facilitates a better understanding of the issue at hand, and offers the opportunity for mutually beneficial resolutions.

Dealing with dog behaviour problems can indeed be a complex and sometimes frustrating process. Despite the efforts of behaviourists and dog owners alike, achieving desired outcomes may not always be straightforward. Here’s an overview of why this might be the case and how to approach it:

1. Individual Differences: Just like humans, dogs have unique personalities, backgrounds, and temperaments. What works for one dog may not work for another, even if they exhibit similar behaviours. Understanding and addressing these individual differences can require patience and flexibility.
2. Root Causes: Behaviour problems in dogs can stem from a variety of underlying factors, including genetics, past experiences, health issues, and environmental influences. Identifying the root cause of a behaviour problem is crucial for developing effective solutions. However, uncovering these root causes may require time-consuming observation, experimentation, and sometimes even professional intervention.
3. Consistency and Patience: Changing behaviour patterns takes time and consistency. It’s essential for dog owners to remain patient and committed to implementing behaviour modification techniques consistently over the long term. This consistency is key to reinforcing positive behaviours and discouraging negative ones.
4. Communication Challenges: Dogs communicate primarily through body language and behaviour, which can sometimes be misinterpreted by humans. Additionally, dogs may not always understand or respond to human cues or commands in the way we expect. Effective communication between dogs and their owners requires understanding and patience on both sides.
5. Human Factors: In many cases, behaviour problems in dogs are influenced by the behaviour and actions of their human caregivers. Inconsistencies in training methods, lack of clear boundaries, and unintentional reinforcement of undesirable behaviours can all contribute to the persistence of behaviour problems.
6. Complexity of Solutions: Behaviour modification plans for dogs often involve multiple components, including training exercises, environmental management, behaviour shaping, and sometimes medical intervention. Implementing these multifaceted solutions can be challenging and may require ongoing support from a qualified behaviourist or trainer.
7. Acceptance of Limitations: Despite a behaviourists best efforts, it’s important to acknowledge that not all behaviour problems in dogs can be completely eliminated or resolved. In some cases, management strategies may be necessary to minimise the impact of certain behaviours rather than attempting to eradicate them entirely.

Overall, dealing with dog behaviour problems requires a combination of patience, understanding, and a willingness to adapt strategies based on individual needs and circumstances. While achieving perfect outcomes may not always be possible, with dedication and the right support, significant improvements can often be made in addressing behaviour issues in dogs.

Please note that we only investigate evidence-based claims that meet the standard of proof required in a civil and/or criminal court. Evidence must be provided in a written statement format with a legal declaration of truth, signed, and sent by post to CFBA. Only formal complaints that meet our standards will be investigated. We do not investigate canine behaviour modification techniques that are legal under English or other UK law and do not violate the Animal Welfare Act. The arbiter of what is legal is at the discretion of the CFBA Fellows.

In the first incidence an email to the CFBA admin is best and to ascertain if the complaint meets our remit. Thereafter, written signed communications is mandatory and if the complaint is to move forward to a formal stage.