CBCC-KA dog trainers

Explore businesses stating CBCC-KA qualifications and ask which trainer holds the designation. Choose your location to find a trainer near you.

CBCC-KA qualifications: what to look for

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CBCC-KA stands for Certified Behavior Consultant Canine, Knowledge Assessed. The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers awards this credential for canine behavior consulting. It is distinct from its CPDT dog trainer credentials and is intended for professionals working with behavior modification concerns.

If you are comparing support for fear, anxiety, aggression or another difficult behavior, the designation can help identify relevant professional preparation. Ask about the consultant’s experience with the particular situation your dog and household face, since behavior concerns differ considerably in context and complexity.

Questions to ask before booking

  • Who will lead our appointments and which credential do they hold?
  • Can you explain how your experience relates to our training needs?
Explore the guide6 sections

What the credential establishes

CCPDT’s current requirements include documented canine behavior consulting experience and a knowledge examination. The assessment covers areas such as behavior analysis, observation, learning and consulting practice. CBCC-KA identifies an assessed professional credential rather than a general membership label.

The designation does not mean the consultant is a veterinarian. Ask who will handle any veterinary questions and how information is shared if your dog already has a veterinarian or veterinary behaviorist involved. Keep professional roles clear from the outset.

Describe the concern before arranging a visit

Provide concrete examples of what happens, where it occurs and who is present. Share relevant history, including previous training and any handling or safety concerns. Ask whether the consultant wants an intake form, existing recordings or veterinary records before the appointment.

Do not arrange a demonstration that puts your dog or another person in a difficult situation simply to show the behavior. Ask for arrival and observation instructions. A suitable assessment process should explain how the consultant gathers information while accounting for your dog’s needs.

Look for a practical consulting process

Ask how the consultant identifies priorities, agrees goals and creates a written plan. You should understand the first steps, what to record and how questions are handled. Discuss the people, space and time available in your household so the recommendations can fit real life.

Find out how follow-up decisions are made. A useful review examines observations and adjusts the plan when an exercise is too difficult or the household cannot carry it out. Ask how progress is described rather than relying on a broad promise that the behavior will be fixed.

Verify the professional and the service

Check the individual’s name and current designation through CCPDT. Confirm that the person holding CBCC-KA will assess the case or explain their supervisory role if another team member provides practical lessons. Ask who remains responsible for reviewing the plan.

Compare relevant experience, communication and referral arrangements alongside certification. A consultant who clearly explains the limits of their service gives you useful information for choosing support, particularly when several professionals may need to work together.

CBCC-KA certification and continuing education

For dog behavior concerns, verify both the credential and its current status. CCPDT’s dedicated recertification page states that CBCC-KA certificants renew every five years. This differs from the three-year period stated for its CPDT dog trainer credentials. Use the requirements for the exact designation when checking a claim.

Ask how continuing education relates to the consultant’s present casework. Someone working with a particular behavior concern should be able to explain the knowledge and skills they draw on and when collaboration is needed. You do not need an examination syllabus to ask a useful question about the professional’s preparation.

CBCC-KA certification can support a comparison between trainers and behavior consultants, but the proposed service remains central. Confirm who reviews observations, adjusts the behavior modification plan and communicates with your household when circumstances change.

What the CBCC-KA exam covers

CCPDT’s published behavior consultant examination outline includes applied behavior analysis, learning processes, body language, observational skills and consulting practice. The current CBCC-KA exam has 200 multiple-choice questions. Eligibility includes 300 hours of canine behavior consulting experience within the preceding three years, alongside other requirements described by CCPDT.

These details help explain the focus of behavior consultant certification. A professional dog behavior consultant needs to observe a situation, interpret the relevant history and turn that information into a workable plan. Ask how the person you are considering applies those skills to your case.

The certifying organization publishes a candidate handbook and a content outline for anyone wanting to understand the formal assessment in more detail. For choosing support, combine that independent certification information with the consultant’s current experience, approach and communication.

13 businesses

Dogsmartz Unleashed LLC

Poland, Ohio

4.8/5· 180 Google reviews

Dogsmartz Unleashed is a premier training facility that specializes in behavior work for dogs. We offer a wide variety of group classes open to dogs of all breeds and…Read in fullShow less

Dogsmartz Unleashed is a premier training facility that specializes in behavior work for dogs. We offer a wide variety of group classes open to dogs of all breeds and ages. We also offer specialized classes for dogs with specific behavioral concerns. For those that would be better suited to or prefer one-on-one training, we offer private lessons in-home or at one of our facilities. Our private training is conducted by one one of our highly skilled trainers. We also offer our popular, “Drop and Train” program for those that may have a more challenging schedule. DSU is the only facility in the area that offers the Certified Canine Behavior Consultant (CBCC-KA) and is also the first and most “Fear-Free Certified” trainers.

  • Behavior consultation
  • Canine Good Citizen preparation
  • Obedience training

USA Dog Behavior, LLC

Dallas, Texas

4.9/5· 167 Google reviews

Canine Behavior Consultant and Aggression Specialist Scott Sheaffer, CBCC-KA, CDBC, CPDT-KA Canine Behavior Assessment • Diagnosis • Prognosis • Treatment…Read in fullShow less

Canine Behavior Consultant and Aggression Specialist Scott Sheaffer, CBCC-KA, CDBC, CPDT-KA Canine Behavior Assessment • Diagnosis • Prognosis • Treatment Recommendations Scott Sheaffer is a certified canine behavior consultant specializing in serious canine behavior problems. Through a comprehensive online consultation, he helps dog owners understand their dog’s behavior, its potential danger, the prognosis, and the most appropriate treatment options. Clients throughout the United States can access his specialized expertise online. Visit our website to contact us, learn about the consultation process, explore pricing, see what to expect, and access free canine behavior education through articles and podcasts.

  • Behavior consultation
  • Obedience training · customer-reported
  • Socialization

Bark Tutor School for Dogs

Indianapolis, Indiana

4.7/5· 105 Google reviews

Bark Tutor School for Dogs is Indianapolis's original day training program, built specifically for puppies and adolescent dogs up to six months of age. Our…Read in fullShow less

Bark Tutor School for Dogs is Indianapolis's original day training program, built specifically for puppies and adolescent dogs up to six months of age. Our credentialed trainers work with your dog during the day, then bring you into the process at pickup so the learning carries home with you. Our curriculum focuses on foundation obedience and essential life skills, with intentional socialization opportunities throughout. We believe the early months are the most important window in a dog's development, and we take that seriously. Programs include Day Training and Private Lessons. Graduates of Bark Tutor are also welcome to join our daycare program. Part of the Bradley Phifer Dog Training company.

  • Behavior consultation
  • Crate training
  • House training

Unmistaken Stars Farm Sanctuary and Dog Training

Hubbardston, Massachusetts

5/5· 79 Google reviews

Unmistaken Stars Farm Sanctuary offers permanent residence to farm animals in need as well as humane education in the form of dog training and behavior consulting.…Read in fullShow less

Unmistaken Stars Farm Sanctuary offers permanent residence to farm animals in need as well as humane education in the form of dog training and behavior consulting. Supporting our mission to provide a place where people and animals help one another heal, we offer force free and fear free methods of dog training, and behavior modification. Our Fear Free certified trainer is also the only CCPDT Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and Certified Behavior Consultant Canine (CBCC-KA) in North Central Massachusetts (Hubbardston/Gardner line). Our training programs include group classes from puppy and beginner through advanced obedience training, private lessons and behavior consults specializing in anxiety, reactivity and aggression.

  • Behavior consultation
  • Canine Good Citizen preparation · customer-reported
  • House training

Bradley Phifer Dog Training

Fairland, Indiana

4.8/5· 50 Google reviews

Bradley Phifer Dog Training offers a genuinely personalized experience for you and your dog. With over 25 years of professional experience and a low dog-to-trainer…Read in fullShow less

Bradley Phifer Dog Training offers a genuinely personalized experience for you and your dog. With over 25 years of professional experience and a low dog-to-trainer ratio, our credentialed trainers take the time to understand each dog as an individual and build a program around them. Our trainers hold the field's most respected credentials; CPDT-KA, CPDT-KSA, and CBCC-KA, and have expertise across every stage of a dog's life, from puppies to adult dogs, including those working through serious behavior challenges. Programs include Day Training, Board & Train, and Private Lessons, offered across two Indianapolis-area facilities: Seven Acres in Fairland and Bark Tutor School for Dogs in Indianapolis.

  • Leash training
  • Board and train
  • Day training

The Educated Dog

New York, New York

5/5· 45 Google reviews

Private, science-based dog training and behavior consultations in Manhattan for puppies and adult dogs. Help with leash pulling, barking, reactivity, fear, newly…Read in fullShow less

Private, science-based dog training and behavior consultations in Manhattan for puppies and adult dogs. Help with leash pulling, barking, reactivity, fear, newly adopted dogs, puppy training, and separation anxiety. Certified Dog Trainer and Behavior Consultant (CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA) and Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT). In-home training throughout most of Manhattan, with remote separation anxiety training available nationwide. Schedule your complimentary 30-minute consultation today.

  • Behavior consultation
  • House training
  • Leash training

Jenn's Dogs

Cornelius, Oregon

4.8/5· 42 Google reviews

Jenn's Dogs, established in January 2020, is a Cornelius based dog training studio specializing in clear, compassionate communication between humans and their canine…Read in fullShow less

Jenn's Dogs, established in January 2020, is a Cornelius based dog training studio specializing in clear, compassionate communication between humans and their canine companions. They offer group classes, private sessions, and puppy social playtime, along with basic manners training and behavior modification plans for reactive and aggressive dogs. Jenn's Dogs prioritizes humane and ethical treatment, with the trainer being a certified professional and member of various reputable organizations.

  • Behavior consultation
  • Canine Good Citizen preparation
  • Leash training

Pams Pawsitive Training LLC

Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin

4.8/5· 26 Google reviews

Nationally Certified Behavior Consultant (CBCC-KA) Nationally Certified Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) Dog Training Classes and Individual Lessons For Behavior Modification.…Read in fullShow less

Nationally Certified Behavior Consultant (CBCC-KA) Nationally Certified Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) Dog Training Classes and Individual Lessons For Behavior Modification. Specializing in canine fears, phobias, aggression, compulsive disorders, and anxiety. Virtual or in person services available. Aggression, Separation Anxiety, Resource Guarding, Fear, Inappropriate Urination, Compulsive Behaviors, Hyperkinesis (hyperactivity), Leash reactivity, Prey Drive, Body Handling Issues, Relationship Building, and Abnormal Repetitive Behaviors (ARB’s).

  • Behavior consultation
  • Canine Good Citizen preparation
  • Leash training

UpSwing Canine Behavioral Services - Fetch & Fable

Vandergrift, Pennsylvania

5/5· 23 Google reviews

UpSwing Canine Behavioral Services provides professional behavior support for dogs facing fear, anxiety, reactivity, and arousal regulation challenges. Founded by…Read in fullShow less

UpSwing Canine Behavioral Services provides professional behavior support for dogs facing fear, anxiety, reactivity, and arousal regulation challenges. Founded by Rachel McMichael, CDBC, CBCC-KA, UpSwing offers a relationship-centered, enrichment heavy, reward-based approach grounded in deep compassion and years of hands-on behavioral experience. Services include virtual and in-person consultations, custom behavior plans, and coaching that meets both ends of the leash. Serving Armstrong County, parts of Butler and surrounding areas. UpSwing supports meaningful change by building trust, easing stress, and creating practical pathways forward, for sensitive dogs and the people who love them!

  • Behavior consultation
  • House training
  • Leash training

Drop the Leash LLC Dog Training and Behavior Consultant

Johannesburg, Michigan

5/5· 21 Google reviews

Dog behavior problems are rarely about the dog. I help Northern Michigan dog owners understand what's really behind their dog's behavior and how to help them. As a…Read in fullShow less

Dog behavior problems are rarely about the dog. I help Northern Michigan dog owners understand what's really behind their dog's behavior and how to help them. As a certified specialist (KPA CTP, CBCC-KA, LFDM) with over 30 years of experience across breeds, behaviors, and the full complexity of life with dogs, I give as much attention to the person holding the leash as the dog on it. Through Family Dog Mediation, private behavior consulting, practical Life Skills group classes, and virtual services nationwide, I provide simple and effective behavior solutions no matter your location. Serving all of Northern Michigan for in-person group classes and nationwide virtually. Visit my website to learn more and schedule a Discovery Call.

  • Behavior consultation
  • House training
  • Leash training

Dogs by Foster

Fort Collins, Colorado

5/5· 16 Google reviews

Dogs by Foster provides canine behavior consulting focused on reactivity, fear, aggression, and anxiety. With over 30 years of professional experience, Ashley Foster…Read in fullShow less

Dogs by Foster provides canine behavior consulting focused on reactivity, fear, aggression, and anxiety. With over 30 years of professional experience, Ashley Foster, CBCC-KA, specializes in understanding the underlying causes of behavior and developing structured, evidence-based plans that create lasting change. Services are available virtually nationwide, with in-person services in Northern Colorado and Southeast Wyoming. This work is best suited for dog owners seeking clear answers, thoughtful guidance, and humane, science-based support.

  • Behavior consultation
  • House training
  • Leash training

Mandy K9 Manchester MO

Manchester, Missouri

5/5· 14 Google reviews

Our Manchester Location is now open! Mandy Zatorski (CPDT-KA and CBCC-KA) is a certified dog trainer and behavior consultant. She specializes in obedience training…Read in fullShow less

Our Manchester Location is now open! Mandy Zatorski (CPDT-KA and CBCC-KA) is a certified dog trainer and behavior consultant. She specializes in obedience training, behavior modification, and rehabilitation. She uses science-based methods rather than using punishment. She does not use prong or shock collars, as punishment based training can be detrimental to animals. All of her training apprentices and the trainers working with her use science-based methods as well. We offer private sessions, group classes, and in home training. The first step is setting up a consult on our website.

  • Behavior consultation
  • Obedience training
  • Puppy training · customer-reported

Upward Dog Training & Counseling

New Orleans, Louisiana

4.6/5· 11 Google reviews

Gallivan Burwell CTC, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA offers Science and evidence-based dog training and behavior modification. Your dog isn't out to get over on you, s/he just…Read in fullShow less

Gallivan Burwell CTC, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA offers Science and evidence-based dog training and behavior modification. Your dog isn't out to get over on you, s/he just wants things to work out right. We help her succeed without threat, force, or fear.

  • Behavior consultation
  • Leash training
  • Puppy training

Frequently asked questions

More detail to help you choose and prepare.

Is CBCC-KA a more advanced version of CPDT-KA?

They recognize different professional roles. CPDT-KA concerns dog training knowledge, while CBCC-KA focuses on canine behavior consulting. CCPDT does not require candidates to hold CPDT-KA before CBCC-KA, so compare scope rather than assuming one universal ladder.

Can a CBCC-KA consultant provide veterinary treatment?

The CBCC-KA credential alone does not confer veterinary qualifications. Ask about the consultant’s collaboration with your veterinarian and keep medical assessment and treatment with appropriately qualified veterinary professionals.

Does CBCC-KA certify a business or an individual?

The credential belongs to the individual behavior consultant. If a business has several staff members, ask who holds CBCC-KA and whether that person assesses your dog, supervises the plan or provides the follow-up. A team relationship should be explained clearly.

Further reading: Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, CCPDT behavior consultant certification FAQ, CCPDT recertification requirements, CCPDT behavior consultant examination

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