02/24/2026
Many of you know I train dogs While I train and have taken numerous courses in training and continue to do so I have not tested yet with an organization (It’s complicated but the simple answer is school got in the way) Anyway this does not mean I can’t train it means I recognize there are limits to what I can currently offer clients Which specifically means I don’t advertise I complete behavioral assessments I work with dogs that have behavior plans who have been assessed by a credentialed individual or veterinarian but I currently do not do my own plans
So what do you do if you feel your dog needs to have a behavioral assessment?
Who can legally assess dog behavior in Indiana — and why credentials still matter
Indiana does not license or regulate dog trainers or behavior assessors. That means anyone can legally say they do “behavioral assessments.” There’s no state test, no oversight board, and no required education.
And that’s exactly why experience and credentials matter.
Behavior assessments influence:
• Whether a dog is adopted or euthanized
• Whether a dog is labeled “aggressive”
• Training plans, housing decisions, and public safety
• Shelter liability and adopter trust
When a state doesn’t regulate, the responsibility shifts to us to ask better questions.
Who can assess dogs in Indiana?
Legally?
➡️ Anyone.
Practically and ethically?
Look for people with documented education, mentorship, and real-world experience, such as:
• Karen Pryor Academy (KPA-CTP)
• Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)
• International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
• Licensed veterinarians or veterinary behaviorists (for medical or pathological behavior)
Credentials don’t make someone perfect — but they show accountability, continuing education, and adherence to humane, science-based standards.
Questions you should ask before hiring someone who says they do behavior assessments:
1. What education or certifications do you have? (And can I verify them?)
2. What methods do you use? (Force-free? Science-based? Or punishment-based?)
3. How do you define “aggression,” “reactivity,” or “dangerous behavior”?
4. Do you assess behavior in context (environment, stress, health, handling)?
5. How do you document assessments? Written reports? Observable criteria?
6. What experience do you have with shelter dogs or high-stress environments?
7. How do you rule out medical causes before labeling a behavior?
8. Will your assessment be used to support the dog — or to justify removal or euthanasia?
9. What continuing education do you complete each year?
10. Can you explain your assessment process without defensiveness or jargon?
Why this matters
Labels follow dogs.
Bad assessments don’t just fail dogs — they harm them.
In an unregulated state, credentials aren’t about prestige — they’re about protection:
• Protection for the dog
• Protection for adopters
• Protection for shelters and communities
If someone can’t clearly explain how and why they assess behavior the way they do, that’s your answer.
Indiana may not require licensing — but we can still require competence.
Connie Swaim Canine Behavior Services
Behavior of Indiana
Humane Training Alliance of Indiana
