WE ALIGN WITH THE MOST HUMANE ANIMAL WELFARE organizations. As such, we nurture Best Practices—the methodologies, tools, tactics and research that ensure the most humane treatment of animals and the best outcomes.
Our Position
All companion animals are entitled to the highest level of humane treatment, respect, dignity and care, and best outcomes, as defined by LIMA/R+/FF standards. These standards form best practices.
Likewise, the bar for this industry is the tangible commitment to established best practices. Practitioners do this via knowledge and competence gained through credible LIMA, Positive Reinforcement and Fear-free foundational education. The competency gained means we actively employ the most humane and effective approaches, tools and information that produce the best outcomes.
These best practices prevail over any other practice, belief system or mindset that does not serve the “most humane, most effective” standard of care.
This industry provides guardianship, care and enrichment services to sentient beings, and counsel to pet parents. We must be current in our expertise and conduct ourselves to the highest degree of responsibility, with attendant care and commitment to best practices and best outcomes, and without risk, abuse, damage or mortality to any animal.
Humane Canada | The Five Freedoms
A core concept in animal welfare is that all animals have freedoms. These concepts underpin LIMA/R+/FF methodology and Canadian law. Therefore, we take The Five Freedoms to heart, to inform our position. They include:
1. Freedom from Hunger and Thirst
2. Freedom from Discomfort
3. Freedom from Pain, Injury or Disease
4. Freedom to Express Normal Behaviour
5. Freedom from Fear and Distress
What does this look like, specifically?
Industry progression has evolved admirable best practices that uphold these concepts. By definition, the best practices are:
• No aversive tools or equipment (prong, choke chain, martingale or shock). Low-level vibration collars may be used on hearing-impaired animals.
• No corporal corrections or punishment, or practice that prioritizes corrections over reward. No emotional or mental cruelty or indifference; no suppression or denial of exercise, enrichment, therapeutic care; no denial of respect or dignity, or denial of The Five Freedoms; no unreasonable or sustained captivity, or the withholding of food, water, medical care, necessary vaccinations, positive attention or shelter for companion animals, under any context.
• No corrective tactics, based on canine dominance theory. Understanding and management of hard wired canine behaviours are to be informed by positive industry-leading resources. Dominance is a debunked and redacted theory that has no credence or existence in the modern lexicon.
• All methods, tactics, and the counsel or dissemination of information, must draw reference from established and credible Positive Reinforcement, Force/Fear-Free, or LIMA schools and publications, which are voluminous, as is the supporting research.
• No exceptions. Outdated and lesser effective methods perpetuate uninformed mindsets, practice and outcomes. Aversive treatment and tools are not acceptable, necessary, advantageous or as successful for any animal.
• Given that industry progression has brought forth humane methodologies and tools that are complete and successful, they prevail wholly.
The pet pro industry has been long-afflicted with argument and divide over beliefs. It is CDWA’s intention and mission to assert that this industry, like any other evolved industry, is defined by its best practices. Rigorous scientific study, research, empirical data, and a multi-discipline approach to the creation of best practices, at an academic level, informed modern methodology. This industry is, therefore and by definition, not a beliefs-based industry.
Position Statements from Notable Animal Welfare Organizations:
• Humane Canada
• British Columbia SPCA
• Review of Dog Training Methods: Welfare, Learning Ability, and Current Standards, prepared for BCSPCA
• Calgary Humane Society Animal Welfare Position Statements
• ASPCA’s Position Statement on Training Aids and Methods
• IAABC Position Statement on LIMA training
• Pet Professional Guild Position Statements
• Pet Professional Guild Position on Tools