Committee holds bill to license dog trainers after hours of testimony from trainers, rescuers and owners

The Senate Economic Growth Committee on Oct. 12 heard extensive testimony and then voted to hold Senate Bill 3814, a proposal to create a state dog-training licensing board and statewide standards for the practice of dog training.

The bill, sponsored in the Senate by Senator Gopal and introduced in committee by Chairwoman Cruz Perez, would establish a seven‑member board charged with setting education and experiential requirements for licensure, developing a code of practice, and defining permitted and prohibited training tools. The bill’s proposed language also would prohibit unlicensed practice and require licensees to follow a “first, do no harm” standard, language cited in written references to veterinary professional organizations.

Supporters of licensing told the committee that minimum standards would protect owners and animals and create accountability. Colin Roche, a certified professional dog trainer and owner of Courageous Canines Dog Training, said, “The vast majority of dog owners just want to do right by their dogs.” Laura Killoley, counsel for the Alliance for Professionalism and Dog Training, urged the committee to permit recognition of existing national certification exams so professionals would not be required to retake testing: “Licensing is typical for professions, and we do want to have safeguards to ensure that … dog owners in New Jersey can trust the dog trainer that they bring on.”

Opponents — including private trainers, shelter advocates, and the American Kennel Club — warned the bill would impose a single training philosophy and reduce options used to rehabilitate dogs with serious behavioral issues, which they said could increase shelter surrenders and euthanasia. James Discoli of Sedona Shepherd Sanctuary described a dog he said had been condemned by a “positive‑only” approach and credited balanced methods that used aversives for rescuing the animal. “With the incorporation of an electronic training collar into a well thought out plan, we taught Bronco how to accept routine grooming and vet handling,” Discoli said of a case he described.

Charlie Hall, representing the American Kennel Club, told the committee the AKC does not support cruel methods but said New Jersey statute already bars cruel training and the bill could have broad unintended consequences for clubs, volunteer instructors and shelter programs. “Developing one training philosophy for the state is not in the best interest of dogs or communities,” Hall said.

Committee members heard detailed, often emotional accounts from trainers who said specific tools such as electronic collars, prong collars and slip leads are valuable when used correctly. Multiple trainers described cases they said would have ended in euthanasia without access to those tools; others described concerns about setting up a licensing board with a minority of practicing trainers among its members and asked for provisional pathways for currently practicing professionals.

After public testimony from roughly two dozen speakers — including professional trainers, shelter staff and owners — the bill’s sponsor, Senator Gopal, told the committee he would hold the bill to continue conversations. Chairwoman Cruz Perez closed the hearing by announcing the bill would be held for further amendment and discussion.

The committee did not adopt the bill or hold a vote on final passage, instead giving the sponsor time to consider amendments and stakeholders an opportunity to work with the sponsor and committee staff.