Associate and Full Membership Requirements
All applications are dealt with on an individual basis by the appointed membership team before being passed to the Board of Fellows for review when necessary.
Dog Behaviour is primarily a vocation. At the CFBA we are proud of our members being practically skilled in all forms of dog behaviour and training. Therefore we welcome applications from all; giving preference to those with a proven record of success and excellence in the field of dog behaviour and training and species (canine) specific qualifications.
Persons, when applying, are deemed to have agreed to the Code of Ethics which may be amended from time to time.
Typically, there are 3 stages in the CFBA application process.
Stage 1 – Entry requires the applicant to gain 200 points for Full Membership level and 55 points for Associate level (points awarded as described below).
The points are awarded and based on three main guiding principles:
- Vocational experience of technical applied dog management combined with canine behavioural knowledge. Applied field canine behavioural experience with many different breed of dogs and the efficient solution of common dog behaviour problems in society.
- Between two (associate) and five years (full member) minimum experience full time in the profession and good psychological person on person skills
- Canine specific academic courses completed and which are approved by the www.petbc.uk Pet Education Training and Behaviour Council of GB, and must include courses which have practical workshops. The Cambridge Institute of Dog Behaviour and Training is the Education Institute of the CFBA and its courses will take precedence over all other courses presented for CFBA membership.
Approved and accredited courses
In general the CFBA ONLY recognise academic and vocational courses that are accredited, approved and assured by the Pet Education Training and Behaviour Council.
Substantial validated evidence of a minimum of five years continued practical experience, or (three years if the applicant already has relevant associative level CFBA membership).
There are a range of vocational dog skills are accepted in a person’s application which include, but are not exclusive to:
1. Proven ability of dog training skills in relation to reformation and rehabilitation behaviour. A minimum of 5 years full-time. Practical experience in multiple breeds and aggressive dog behaviour is mandatory. This can be reduced if the applicant has achieved either of the following:
- CIDBT Higher Certificate in Dog Behaviour and Psychology
- CIDBT Higher Certificate in Professional Canine Behaviour Practice
- CIDBT Advanced Higher Certificate in Dog Behaviour and Training Professional Practice
We specifically recognise Trainers/Instructors qualified by the CIDBT, BIPDT, GoDT and Trained for Life, all these have practical workshop based courses which meet our hands on skills requirements to support dog behaviour and psychology.
2. Petbc approved list may be taken into consideration but only as a contribution to the course providers mentioned and named herein. Police, RAF or MOD, Prison dog qualifications are accepted as dog handling/teaching experience and knowledge towards a component of your application.
Professional Dog Trainers for people with various needs (e.g.; assistance dogs)
3. A PETbc 101 Diploma
Stage 2 – Written Evidence
Case studies – full information on client and behavioural advice.
You may be asked for film evidence, which demonstrates you talking/conducting a consultation with a client for at least one hour. The recording must be dated and the clients contact details to be included along with a letter from the client giving their permission for us to view the said tape. These are non-returnable.
Your literature
We may require copies of your leaflets, reports or hand-outs which you give to people and commensurate with the training and behavioural advice you have given. If the author of the handouts is not you, the original author of the handout must be credited therein.
Stage 3
A telephone Interview by a nominated CFBA Full Member.
