Association of Pet Dog Trainers

What Association of Pet Dog Trainers does

The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) C.I.C. is a UK-based not-for-profit Community Interest Company founded in 1995 and headquartered in Henfield. It is the largest not-for-profit dog training instructor organization in the UK, operating as a membership-based professional body that recruits, assesses, and certifies dog training instructors against a code of practice. Its core products include the APDT membership with assessment-based credentialing, the Good Companion Awards (a seven-level progressive program for dog guardians), a Find a Trainer directory connecting dog owners with assessed local trainers, and structured events and webinars priced at £15-£25 per session for both professionals and owners. Additional offerings include a Member Benefits portal with Student Library, CPD records, Lunch & Learn and Speakeasy support sessions, dog trainer courses, branded merchandise, and a content blog covering dog behavior, training, and welfare.

The underlying platform is a Wix-based website with integrated webinar and event management, social media presence on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram, and a self-serve trainer directory. APDT is a founding member of the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) and The UK Dog Behaviour and Training Charter, and was the first organization to ban the use of choke chains, giving it a regulatory and standards-setting position in the UK dog training industry.

APDT generates revenue through three streams: recurring annual membership fees from assessed dog training instructors, transactional fees from live and recorded webinars and events, and merchandise sales. Its go-to-market is community-led: members are recruited through an assessment-based application, then receive a directory listing and ongoing CPD support, while dog guardians discover APDT through the directory, blog content, and event presence such as Crufts. The customer base spans dog guardians, dog training professionals, veterinary professionals (who refer clients to APDT members), and aspiring trainers entering the profession.

Name

Association of Pet Dog Trainers

Legal name

The Association of Pet Dog Trainers C.I.C.

Website

https://apdt.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) is a UK not-for-profit Community Interest Company, founded in 1995, that assesses and certifies dog training instructors, runs the Good Companion Awards program, and connects dog guardians with qualified trainers through its directory, webinars, and educational resources.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Hassocks

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees for dog training instructors who undergo assessment to join the organization. Members receive a directory listing, access to member resources, CPD opportunities, and the right to use APDT credentials.
2. Webinar and Event Sales: The organization hosts live webinars and events for dog professionals and dog owners presented by experts. Past webinars are available for purchase, with prices ranging from £15 to £25 per session.
3. Merchandise Sales: Sale of APDT branded merchandise through the merchandise page.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Association of Pet Dog Trainers is a UK not-for-profit Community Interest Company that runs an assessment-based membership programme for dog training instructors and delivers the Good Companion Awards, a seven-level progressive award scheme for dog guardians. It also operates a Find a Trainer directory, paid live and recorded webinars, dog trainer courses, and APDT-branded merchandise, all underpinned by a strict code of practice requiring kind, fair, and effective (force-free, science-based) training methods.

Product overview

The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) C.I.C. is a not-for-profit membership organization offering a unified platform of dog training resources and services. The core offerings include membership with assessment and credentialing for dog training professionals, the Good Companion Awards (a seven-level progressive award program for dog guardians), a Find a Trainer directory, Events & Webinars for professional and owner education, Dog Trainer Courses, and member benefits including a Student Library and CPD records. Additional offerings include APDT Merchandise and a Dog Blog with educational content. All services emphasize kind, fair, and effective training methods aligned with the organization's core values.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• APDT Membership Annual assessed membership for dog training instructors in the UK, granting use of APDT credentials, a directory listing, access to member resources, CPD opportunities, and the right to assess Good Companion Awards candidates.
• Good Companion Awards A seven-tier progressive award scheme for dog guardians to gain recognition for training and being good companions to their dogs, with assessments conducted by APDT full members.
• Find a Trainer Directory An online directory that lets dog guardians search for and contact APDT-certified dog training instructors across the United Kingdom.
• Events and Webinars Live and recorded educational webinars presented by subject-matter experts for both dog training professionals and dog owners, priced individually per session.
• Dog Trainer Courses Professional development and education courses for individuals seeking to become dog trainers using modern, ethical, force-free training techniques.
• APDT Merchandise APDT-branded merchandise available for purchase by members and the public through the organisation's online shop.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 500 responses to initial membership questionnaire in 1992, demonstrating strong early demand
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe APDT is a founding member of the ABTC, which provides voluntary regulation and oversight of the dog training industry. The ABTC develops standards and role definitions for animal behaviourists and trainers, and the APDT is heavily involved in advancing industry regulation.
• The UK Dog Behaviour and Training ChartercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe APDT is a founding signatory member of The UK Dog Behaviour and Training Charter, which aims to reassure dog owners that its members adhere to modern, scientifically-proven, positive methodology.
• Guide Dogs for the Blind Association UKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA member posted a job advert for a Puppy Development Advisor position at Guide Dogs. The Guide Dogs organization respects APDT membership as a reputable credential, and APDT members have been involved in developing training materials like the PREP guidelines.
• Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe RCVS is shown as a partner organization, with the APDT collaborating on standards that affect both veterinary professionals and dog trainers.
• Association of Dogs and Cats HomesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe APDT recommends the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes as a regulatory body for rescue centres, demonstrating collaboration on animal welfare standards.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants: Membership and credentialing body for animal behavior consultants and trainers, offering certification and a practitioner directory. Comparable in member assessment, continuing education, and referral-driven business model.
• Pet Professional Guild: International membership organization for force-free pet trainers founded on similar principles to APDT, offering membership, directories, and educational events. Closest direct rival in mission and operating model.
• Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT US): US-based sister organization with the same name and mission: a membership body for dog training professionals promoting force-free, science-based methods. Directly comparable in structure, assessment-based membership, and ethical positioning, differing only by geography.

Broad incumbents

• The Kennel Club (UK): The UK's premier canine authority overseeing breed registration, dog shows (Crufts), and activities including Rally. Broader than APDT but overlapping on training standards, events, and influence over UK dog culture.

Emerging players

• Academy of Dog Trainers: Modern, online-first dog trainer education and certification program focused on positive, evidence-based methods. Competes with APDT for aspiring trainers and emphasizes accessible digital learning over in-person assessment.
• Victoria Stilwell Positively: Brand-led dog training organization offering online courses, webinars, and a global trainer network built around positive reinforcement methods. Overlaps with APDT on CPD content and owner education.

Others

• Dogs Trust: UK's largest dog welfare charity, focused on rescue, rehoming, and owner education. Not a direct competitor but adjacent ecosystem participant with overlapping owner-education content and welfare advocacy.
• Guide Dogs for the Blind Association UK: UK charity breeding and training assistance dogs; references APDT membership as a credible credential and has partnered on training material development. Adjacent rather than competitive.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/APDTUKCIC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/in/apdtuk
• Instagraminstagram.com/apdtuk
• Xx.com/apdt_uk

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Association of Pet Dog Trainers