"Dog Trainers' Licensing Act."

Sponsored by: Assemblyman BRIAN E. RUMPF District 9 (Atlantic, Burlington and Ocean) Assemblyman CHRISTOPHER J. CONNORS District 9 (Atlantic, Burlington and Ocean)

AN ACT licensing dog trainers, amending P.L.1971, c.60, P.L.1974, c.46 and P.L.1978, c.73, and supplementing Title 45 of the Revised Statutes.

1. (New section) This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Dog Trainers' Licensing Act."

2. (New section) As used in this act: "Board" means the Dog Trainers' Licensing Board established under section 3 of this act. "Director" means the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety. "Dog training" means the handling or training of dogs for which a fee is charged. "Licensed dog trainer" means a person engaged in the practice of dog training who is licensed pursuant to the provisions of this act.

3. (New section) There is created within the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety the Dog Trainers' Licensing Board. The board shall consist of nine members who are residents of this State and who, except for the member from the department in the Executive Branch of State Government, shall be appointed by the Governor. In addition to the two public members appointed to represent the interests of the public pursuant to the provisions of subsection b. of section 2 of P.L.1971, c.60 (C.45:1-2.2), one member shall be from a department in the Executive Branch of State Government who shall serve without compensation at the pleasure of the Governor; four members shall be, except for the members first appointed, licensed dog trainers under the provisions of this act; one member shall be a veterinarian licensed in this State; and one member shall be affiliated with an animal protection group. The Governor shall appoint each member, other than the State executive department member, for terms of four years, except that of the members first appointed, two shall serve for a term of four years, two shall serve for a term of three years, two shall serve for a term of two years, and two shall serve for terms of one year. Any vacancy in the membership of the board shall be filled for the unexpired term in the manner provided for the original appointment. No member of the board may serve more than two successive terms in addition to any unexpired term to which he has been appointed. The Governor may remove any member of the board, other than the State executive department member, for cause.

4. (New section) The board shall organize within 30 days after the appointment of its members and shall annually elect from among its members a chairperson and vice-chairperson, and shall appoint a secretary who need not be a member of the board. The board shall meet twice a year and may hold additional meetings as necessary to discharge its duties. A majority of the board membership shall constitute a quorum.

5. (New section) The board shall: a. Adopt a seal to authenticate its records and proceedings; b. Prescribe rules pertaining to types and methods of examination of applicants for licensure; c. Examine and pass on the qualifications of applicants for licensure under this act, and issue a license to each qualified and successful applicant, attesting to his professional qualification to practice as a licensed dog trainer; d. Keep records of its proceedings and a register of all persons to whom licenses have been granted, and a record of all license renewals, suspensions and revocations; e. Maintain records of expenses incurred by members of the board in the performance of their duties; f. Take disciplinary action, in accordance with P.L.1978, c.73 (C.45:1-14 et seq.), against any licensed dog trainer who violates the provisions of this act or any regulation promulgated hereunder; g. Adopt rules and regulations pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) as it deems necessary to administer the provisions of this act; and h. Pursuant to P.L.1974, c.46 (C.45:1-3.1 et seq.), prescribe or change the charges for examination, licensure, renewal and other services performed.

6. (New section) There shall be an Executive Director of the board appointed by the director who shall serve at the director's pleasure. The salary of the Executive Director shall be determined by the director within the limit of available funds. The director may, within the limits of available funds, hire any assistants as are necessary to administer this act.

7. (New section) No person shall practice, attempt to practice, or hold himself out as being able to practice dog training unless that person is licensed in accordance with the provisions of this act.

8. (New section) To be eligible to be licensed as a dog trainer, an applicant shall fulfill the following requirements: a. Be at least 18 years of age; b. Be of good moral character; c. Have successfully completed an approved general education course of study through the 12th grade, or the equivalent thereof as determined by the board; and d. Pass an examination administered or approved by the board to determine the applicant's competence to practice dog training.

9. (New section) Each applicant for a license as a dog trainer shall be examined by the board. The examination shall be held at least twice a year at the times and places to be determined by the board; except that a person 18 years of age or older, of good moral character who submits proof no later than 180 days after the date procedures are established by the board for applying for licensure under this section, which proof is satisfactory to the board, that the person has engaged in the practice of dog training in this State for at least one year prior to the effective date of this act, and who has not committed any act which would be grounds for disciplinary action under P.L.1978, c.73 (C.45:1-14 et seq.), shall be issued a license without examination.

10. (New section) a. All licenses shall be issued for a two-year period and shall be renewed upon filing a renewal application. b. All applicants shall pay a fee for licensure or renewal for licensure under this act. Fees shall be determined by the board and established by regulation. The revenue generated from these fees shall not exceed the operating costs incurred by the board in administering this act.

11. Section 1 of P.L.1971, c.60 (C.45:1-2.1) is amended to read as follows: 1. The provisions of this act shall apply to the following boards and commissions: the New Jersey State Board of Accountancy, the New Jersey State Board of Architects, the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling, the Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors, the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry, the State Board of Mortuary Science of New Jersey, the State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, the State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners, the State Board of Medical Examiners, the New Jersey Board of Nursing, the New Jersey State Board of Optometrists, the State Board of Examiners of Ophthalmic Dispensers and Ophthalmic Technicians, the Board of Pharmacy, the State Board of Professional Planners, the State Board of Psychological Examiners, the State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers, the New Jersey Real Estate Commission, the State Board of Shorthand Reporting, the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, the Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners, the Acupuncture Examining Board, the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, the State Board of Respiratory Care, the State Real Estate Appraiser Board, the State Board of Social Work Examiners, the State Board of Public Movers and Warehousemen [and], the State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners and the Dog Trainers' Licensing Board. (cf: P.L.2003, c.18, s.18)

12. Section 1 of P.L.1974, c.46 (C.45:1-3.1) is amended to read as follows: 1. The provisions of this act shall apply to the following boards and commissions: the New Jersey State Board of Accountancy, the New Jersey State Board of Architects, the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling, the Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors, the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry, the State Board of Mortuary Science of New Jersey, the State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, the State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners, the State Board of Medical Examiners, the New Jersey Board of Nursing, the New Jersey State Board of Optometrists, the State Board of Examiners of Ophthalmic Dispensers and Ophthalmic Technicians, the Board of Pharmacy, the State Board of Professional Planners, the State Board of Psychological Examiners, the State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers, the State Board of Shorthand Reporting, the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, the Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners, the Acupuncture Examining Board, the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, the State Board of Respiratory Care, the State Real Estate Appraiser Board, the New Jersey Cemetery Board, the State Board of Social Work Examiners [and], the State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners and the Dog Trainers' Licensing Board. (cf: P.L.2003, c.261, s.39)

13. Section 2 of P.L.1978, c.73 (C.45:1-15) is amended to read as follows: 2. The provisions of this act shall apply to the following boards and all professions or occupations regulated by, through or with the advice of those boards: the New Jersey State Board of Accountancy, the New Jersey State Board of Architects, the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling, the Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors, the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry, the State Board of Mortuary Science of New Jersey, the State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, the State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners, the State Board of Medical Examiners, the New Jersey Board of Nursing, the New Jersey State Board of Optometrists, the State Board of Examiners of Ophthalmic Dispensers and Ophthalmic Technicians, the Board of Pharmacy, the State Board of Professional Planners, the State Board of Psychological Examiners, the State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers, the State Board of Shorthand Reporting, the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, the Acupuncture Examining Board, the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, the State Board of Respiratory Care, the State Real Estate Appraiser Board, the State Board of Social Work Examiners, the State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, the Professional Counselor Examiners Committee, the New Jersey Cemetery Board, the Orthotics and Prosthetics Board of Examiners, the Occupational Therapy Advisory Council, the Electrologists Advisory Committee, the Alcohol and Drug Counselor Committee, the Fire Alarm, Burglar Alarm, and Locksmith Advisory Committee, the Home Inspection Advisory Committee, the Massage, Bodywork and Somatic Therapy Examining Committee, [and], the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Advisory Committee and the Dog Trainers' Licensing Board. (cf: P.L.2003, c.18, s.20)

14. This act shall take effect immediately but shall not be operative until the 180th day after enactment.

This bill provides for the regulation and licensing of dog trainers. The bill establishes the Dog Trainers' Licensing Board in the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety, which shall consist of nine members. Two members shall be public members; four members shall be licensed dog trainers, except for the members first appointed; one member shall be a veterinarian licensed in this State; one member shall be affiliated with an animal protection group; and one member shall be a State executive department member. The bill permits the board to establish fees for those licensed under this bill and incorporates the terms of the law on fees of professional boards, P.L.1974, c.46 (C.45:1-3.1 et seq.), and the uniform enforcement and procedure act, P.L.1978, c.73 (C.45:1-14 et seq.), for enforcement of standards and punishment of violations. To be eligible to be licensed as a dog trainer, an applicant shall: be at least 18 years of age; be of good moral character; have successfully completed an approved general education course of study through the 12th grade, or the equivalent therof as determined by the board; and pass an examination administered or approved by the board to determine the applicant's competence to practice dog training. However, a person 18 years of age or older, of good moral character who submits proof no later than 180 days after the date procedures are established by the board for applying for licensure, and who has engaged in the practice of dog training in this State for at least one year prior to the effective date of this act, and who has not committed any act which would be a ground for disciplinary action under P.L.1978, c.73 (C.45:1-14 et seq.), shall be issued a license without examination.

"Theft pure and simple. "

New Jersey legislators are accomplished artists in that field - they practise a lot - besides, many of them are attorneys.

. . . most dogs that are family dogs would be better off trained by their owners.

That is the truth. A lot of folks have sent their dogs off to high priced trainers, when the fact is it's the PEOPLE who need training.

I have always trained my own dog, because I need the training more than she does! She's been bred for generations to hunt birds, bring them back, and watch her handler for every subtle command. I'm just a deskbound geek who likes to get out on the weekends . . .

You are so right. I showed my Am Staff and titled her in Utility and got scolded all the way by Golden/Sheltie owners who told me I just did not understand how to train because I was too harsh and did not use food.

Even worse were the people in Manhattan parks who were horrified by leash corrections, did not hesitate to berate me, but whose dogs would not even sit on command or respond to a "come."

OTOH I went to a Schutzhund class (for UKC Open)and they encouraged me to be tougher.

I also worked with a trainer who handles many problem dogs. She was trained by a well known trainer/author. Neither have certification. But they get clients by reputation and success. Luckily my dog was not a problem but I know where to go if I need to, degree not withstanding.

"which is extra unpopular because it disqualified all the dogs that reacted to it"

AKC or UKC?

I'm suprised. I remember AKC shows where they did the stay exercise over because of much less serious interference. Expecting a mounted dog not to move is not reasonable.

Most people do need the training with their pets.

I have seen 4 pound dogs be the boss.

Nothing worse than a big dog than is not under control of a human.

Those 4 pound uncontrolled dogs are a royal pain.

Usually folks with a large dog will recognize the problem. But the owners of these little rat dogs just squeal "Oh, how cute!" while Trixie is chewing on your boot (or worse, hanging off your well behaved dog's ear).

It depended on the situation. Some they disqualified, who broke when he did, getting up because he was approaching or because he was cruising down the line (they were only a few feet apart, so things happened quick)

One little girl with a golden I felt horrible about, because he mounted her and she broke, but the judge let her do the exercise over. The dog was so intimidated to be in the ring alone, she laid down on her sit.

I just felt really bad.

I had started agility with Claret when we found out she had an eye problem. That was the end of her *career* altho she lived many more years as a couch potato and queen of all dogdom (well, as far as dogdom at our house!)
susie

Just depends on the judge. We missed our last CDX leg because the loudspeaker came on JUST as I gave her the command for down on recall. She slowed down, because she thought I may have said something, but she was not sure what. I appealed to the judge, but he said he didn't think that the loudspeaker was the problem. I knew it was because this dog NEVER failed to do a down on recall. The worst part was I could as easily have given her a handsignal, as she knew both.
Oh well. It's like a bad call in any sport. You live with it.
susie

IMO my most unfair experience was in Open when the wooden dumbell I used broke in two on the toss. The dog just stood there not knowing what to do, which part to retrieve. She was dq. I thought she should have been given a new toss. The Judge said she should have retrieved one of them.

Yeah. We lived with it and came back.

I've seen those darned things break before, but I seem to recall the judge allowing a do over with a new dumbell (from another exhibitor). I liked my plastic one.
susie

That's really too bad about Claret's eyes, but on the other hand I bet she enjoyed being a couch potato and Dog Queen . . .

Here are some shots of my little (43 pound) Lab doing her agility thing:

She can actually "Sit" and "Stay" - at least long enough for me to lead out to the first or second obstacle!

Flying Dog.

Weave poles! ("Am I doin' O.K., Mom?" "Yes, dear.")

I'm late to this, but nonetheless, I have to say:

They're headed straight down the path of raising up bribery "training" and banning Koehler methods that actually work (but are "cruel").

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