Join PPG
Why Join PPG?
What Sets PPG Apart?
The Pet Professional Guild (PPG) is the only international membership association representing multiple disciplines that subscribes to the view that aversive methods that cause pain, fear, or harm, should not be used—or even deemed necessary—as part of a strategic training or behavior modification program. Nor should they be used by pet care professionals.
This means that PPG members agree to operate within our Guiding Principles and Code of Ethical Conduct.
PPG members are
“Informed by Science, Guided by Empathy, Governed by Ethics”™
As an organization, we stand up for what we believe in and advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves. We support the management, training and care of pets humanely and ethically.
PPG promotes ongoing advocacy initiatives and backs up its positions with the latest scientific research and peer-reviewed studies.
As a proud PPG member, you will stand up for what you believe in and will be surrounded by hundreds of your peers who support you in your endeavors.
Join PPG now and become part of this progressive, kind and dedicated movement to help impact the future of our industry for pets, their guardians and us as professionals.
Our Guiding Principles
Our Ethical Code of Conduct
To download each document, click on the pop-out icon in the top-right corner to open it in Google Drive, then click the download icon in the upper right-hand corner of the Google Drive page to save the document to your computer.
What Can PPG Do for You?
We recognize how difficult it can be for your potential clients to differentiate between you—a force-free, ethical pet trainer and caregiver—and an unqualified trainer or caregiver or one who uses harsh, harmful and dangerous methods. Adding to this challenge is that pet owners typically know very little about the different techniques and methods used by animal trainers and pet care professionals.
We live in a world that popularizes over-hyped, highly edited television programs with flashy ads promising instant results and unrealistic expectations that are often marketed as “documentaries.” It can be next to impossible to be heard above the noise, and that leaves your clients in the classic “comparing apples to oranges” dilemma when trying to find appropriate training and pet care solutions for their needs.
To address these challenges, PPG helps represent you and your business in the marketplace through education and advocacy. In addition, as a PPG member, you have access to a wide array of benefits, services and resources to help you gain an advantage for your business, professional growth and personal development.
What Can We Do Together?
Here at PPG, we believe that pets can be trained and cared for without the use of shock, prong or choke, or the application of pain, force or fear. Together, we can spread this philosophy and create an advantageous business environment for pet professionals who provide humane, force-free training and care to an informed public. We can emphasize a holistic, force-free approach to pet training and care focused on pets’ physical, emotional and environmental well-being.
First, Do No Harm
Imagine a world where people and pets live together to their mutual benefit and where pets live as valued family members free from physical and emotional pain, stress and fear. Imagine a world where pet owners receive the greatest value and highest quality, state-of-the-art, force-free, science-based pet training and care. PPG is committed to creating this world.
Let’s Create a Better World
Do you support our mission, believe in our Guiding Principles, aspire to always demonstrate integrity, compassion and an uncompromising commitment to excellence in the care and support of clients and their pets?
Are you determined to continually expand your knowledge and improve your skills to serve your clients and be a valuable resource to your community, providing the most innovative pet training and pet care possible?
Then let’s do this together—join us. Together we can put our commitment into words and our words into action.
Membership Application Review Process
When you apply to join PPG, the Membership Committee will review your application to make sure you are suitable for membership and are practicing within PPG’s Guiding Principles. We will check your website and social media pages to verify your philosophy and training methods. If we have questions regarding your application, we will contact you by phone. We also reserve the right to ask you to provide an endorsement from a current PPG member.
When your membership is approved you will receive an email to activate your membership. You may then log in to the PPG website, update your profile in our directory, and begin using your membership benefits and displaying your membership badge and certificate.