Benjamin Bennink, MS

Ben began training dogs professionally in January of 2011. By 2012 they had achieved certification through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). In 2018 Ben was certified by the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) as a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant. In December 2019 they earned a BS in Biology and Psychology, and in December 2020 an MS in Biology, focusing on the influences of Neurobiology on reinforcement learning and behavior.

They have also been actively involved with the industry through the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) where they served on the APDT's Education Committee, Membership Task Force, Legislative Task Force, and Ethics Committee. On January 1, 2020, they were elected to a one-year term on the APDT Board of Directors. They were then unanimously elected to the executive path on the Board, serving as Secretary/Treasurer in 2021, Vice Chair in 2022, and Chair beginning in 2023. Early in 2023, Ben broke ties with APDT, IAABC, and CCPDT over irreconcilable differences regarding acceptable behavior within the industry and now operates independently of these organizations towards the betterment of all dog trainers.

Ben is committed to excellence in training and utilizes the most up-to-date methods to provide clients with convenient and effective solutions to create a more harmonious home with their dogs. 

Recent Achievements, Seminars, or Events:

APDT Virtual Conference - September 2021

December 12, 2020

Conferred Master of Science degree in Molecular, Cellular, Developmental, and Neurobiology program focusing on neuroscience, with the research-based thesis: “Effects of Neuronal Glutamate Transporters on Time Sensitive Reward-Based Learning and Behavior” - University at Albany (SUNY)

APDT Virtual Conference - October 2020

December 21, 2019

Conferred Bachelor of Science degree, summa cum laude (3.92 GPA), majoring in Biology and Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience - University at Albany (SUNY)

APDT Conference - October 2019

Spring 2019

Dean’s List for Distinguished Students (3.91 GPA) - University at Albany (SUNY)

ClickerExpo DC - March 2019

Fall 2018

Dean’s List for Distinguished Students (3.95 GPA) - University at Albany (SUNY)

APDT Conference - October 2018

August 17, 2018

Certified Dog Behavior Consultant through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants

May 30, 2018

Fear Free Certified Professional

Spring 2018

Dean's List for Distinguished Students (4.0 GPA) - University at Albany (SUNY)

ClickerExpo SoCal - January 2018

Fall 2017

President's List (4.0 GPA) - Hudson Valley Community College

APDT Conference - October 2017

Spring 2017

President's List (4.0 GPA) - Hudson Valley Community College

Academic Excellence In General Biology Award - Hudson Valley Community College

Frederick C. V. Buch for Excellence in the Organic Chemistry Laboratory Award - Hudson Valley Community College

2016

Successful Cat and Dog Introductions

Fixing The Unfixable, Redux: A New Approach To Separation Anxiety

Lending a Paw to Help with Common Cat Behavior Problems

2015

All About Cats

Coaching People To Train Their Dogs

Beagles - More Then Just a Nose with Legs!

Growing Up Canine: Dog social & psychological development

Preventing Poisoned Pets

All About Bully Breeds

2012

Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers