Independent Contractor FAQ

One of the things that sets Dog Adventures Northwest apart from other walking/hiking companies is that all of our Adventure Leaders are either certified dog trainers or trainers-in-training actively working toward certification.

Dog Adventures Northwest accepts certifications through nationally-accredited organizations that require tracked and documented hands-on hours, as well as a professionally administered exam toward certification. Certifications must also require continuing education, with a minimum of 30 Continuing Education Credits every three years to maintain certification.

Reputable certifications that meet this criteria are:

• Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA or -KSA)
  Certification Council for Professional Trainers (CCPDT)
  
  
• Certified Behavior Canine Consultant - Knowledge Assessed (CBCC-KA)
  Certification Council for Professional Trainers (CCPDT)
  
  
• Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP)
  The Karen Pryor Academy
  
  
• Victoria Stilwell Academy Certified Dog Trainer (VSA-CDT)
  The Victoria Stilwell Academy
  
  
• Certificate in Training and Counseling (CTC)
  The Academy for Dog Trainers
  
  
• Accredited Dog Trainer (ADT)
  The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
  
  
• Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC)
  The International Association of  Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)

The road to certification can look different for different folks, but here are the three main paths:

• Comprehensive Online Course with Associated Certification
  Successfully graduating from the programs below will earn you a reputable in-house certification and meet the Dog Adventures Northwest requirements listed above. These programs are intensive and comprehensive, often requiring about 15 hours per week of participation. If you engage in any one of these programs, you will have the knowledge you need to become a science-based dog trainer. (We say "become," because quite a bit of learning to train dogs is shadowing, assisting, and hands-on training, which online courses cannot offer.)
  
  
  • Karen Pryor Academy: 6 month course (and up to 9 additional months to complete certification requirements) for approximately $6,500
    
    
  • Victoria Stilwell Academy: 6 month course for approximately $5,000
    
    
  • The Academy for Dog Trainers: 2 year course for approximately $10,000
    
    
  • CATCH Academy deserves special mention here, even though they do not require continuing education credits to maintain certification (and therefore don't meet all of the criteria to train with Dog Adventures Northwest). Though CATCH Academy is less comprehensive and not as widely recognized as the programs above, they do a good job of preparing people for the CPDT exam. Certification through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) is the gold standard in the science-based dog training community.
    
    
• Online Classes + CPDT Exam
  There are many classes in dog training available online. They are less expensive than a full program, and can be highly specific to cater to your interests. It is essential to do your research about these options, however, as there is a lot of nonsense out there. This route to certification requires thoughtful planning regarding curriculum, but is more affordable and can be spread out over a longer period of time. As above, this coursework only gets you part of the way there; hands-on experience in dog training is essential. 
  
  
  • Udemy: Udemy has a vast selection of dog training courses, ranging from basic skills to more specialized topics like reactivity and aggression. Look for courses taught by experienced trainers with positive reviews. Prices typically range from $20 to $200 per course (often heavily discounted).
    
    
  • Coursera: Coursera partners with universities and other institutions to offer online courses. Individual classes cost $50-$99. You can also get the "Coursera Plus" subscription for $59/month or $399/year, which gives you access to a very large library of courses.
    
    
  • Other: The field is growing by the day, with  more and more opportunities as time goes on. To investigate whether or not a class or program (or book or podcast, etc) is worthwhile, here are the good signs, followed by the red flags:
    • Explicitly States "Positive Reinforcement" or "Reward-Based." This seems obvious, but the program description should clearly and prominently state that its primary training philosophy is based on  ethical practices.
      
      
    • Emphasis on Science-Based Methods: The curriculum should be grounded in the principles of learning theory, behavior science, and ethology. Look for courses that discuss classical and operant conditioning, reinforcement schedules, and the science behind why positive reinforcement works.
      
      
    • Experienced and Certified Instructors: Research the instructors' backgrounds and qualifications. Do they have certifications from reputable organizations (e.g., CPDT, KPA, VSA)? Are they actively involved in the positive reinforcement training community?
      
      
    •  Comprehensive Curriculum: A good program will cover a wide range of topics, including:
      • Dog behavior and communication
      • Learning theory and behavior science
      • Positive reinforcement techniques (clicker training, treat training, toy training)
      • Problem-solving common behavior issues (e.g., barking, jumping, leash pulling)
      • Animal husbandry
      • Client communication and counseling
      • Ethical considerations in dog training
        
        
    • Practical Application and Feedback: The program should provide opportunities for you to practice your skills, even in an online format. Look for courses that include practical assignments, case studies, or video submissions for feedback.
      
      
    • Focus on Building Relationships: The course should emphasize the importance of building a strong, positive relationship with the dog based on trust, communication, and respect.
      
      
    • Clear Learning Objectives and Outcomes: The program should have clearly defined learning objectives and outcomes, so you know what you'll be able to do after completing the course.
      
      
    • Positive Reviews and Testimonials: Check online reviews and testimonials from past students to get a sense of the program's quality and reputation.
      
      
    • Emphasis on "Dominance," "Dog Whisperer," or "Pack Leader/Alpha" Theory: These are major red flags. Actually, they're just outright unscientific. Outdated dominance theory is often used to justify punishment-based techniques. Ethical dog training focuses on trust and cooperation, not domination.
      
      
    • Use of Terms Like "Corrections" or "Leash Corrections": These are often euphemisms for punishment-based techniques that involve physical force, discomfort, or even fear.
      
      
    • Promotion of "Balanced Training" Without Clear Definition: "Balanced training" is usually a code word for using a mix of positive reinforcement and positive punishment. If a program doesn't clearly define what it means by "balanced," be very cautious. Ask for specific examples of the techniques they use.
      
      
    • Reliance on Aversive Tools: Steer clear of programs that promote the use of prong collars, choke chains, shock collars (e-collars), or other devices designed to inflict pain or discomfort. These tools are often hidden on a program/trainer's website. If anything, you'll see language around devices that buzz, "just like a tens unit!" These collars are exceedingly dangerous for most people to use.
      
      
    • Discussion of "Alpha Rolls" or Other Physical Manipulations: These techniques are based on outdated and harmful ideas about dog behavior.
      
      
    • Lack of Emphasis on Addressing Underlying Causes: Ethical trainers understand that behavior problems often stem from underlying issues such as boredom, fear, anxiety, pain, or lack of social connection. They focus on addressing these root causes, rather than simply suppressing the symptoms with punishment.
      
      
    • Testimonials Describing Punishment or Force: Be wary of testimonials that describe using punishment, shouting, or physical force to achieve training goals.
      
      
    • Vague or Evasive Answers: If a program is not transparent about its training methods or gives vague or evasive answers to your questions, that's a red flag. A reputable program will be open and honest about its approach.
      
      
    • Lack of Scientific Backing: If the training methods are not supported by scientific evidence, be cautious. Look for programs that are grounded in the principles of ethology, learning theory, behavior analysis.
• Mentorship/Apprenticeship + CPDT Exam
  Get in touch with the trainers in your community to learn if anyone is open to taking an apprentice under their wing. This would provide valuable hands-on experience under the direct guidance of a seasoned professional, allowing you to observe real-world training scenarios, learn practical problem-solving techniques, and develop essential client communication skills. Supplementing this apprenticeship with an independent study and preparation for the Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) will offer you a blend of practical expertise and theoretical understanding, ultimately leading to a well-rounded foundation for your dog training career. Success will hinge on finding a mentor who aligns with your training philosophy, is willing to invest time in your development, and provide ample opportunities for hands-on learning and critical feedback. Some trainers may be willing to have you assist them as a trade for apprenticeship, which would further reduce any associated program costs.
  
  
• Self-Study + CPDT Exam
  While self-directed learning can be challenging, it's definitely possible to become a skilled dog trainer through intense independent study and proactive searches for hands-on experience. This path requires significant dedication, discipline, planning, organization, and an overall proactive approach to learning. By following a structured learning plan, utilizing a variety of resources, and self-organizing experiences to gain practical experience, it can be done! At the end of your independent study, you should be ready to pass your CPDT exam. In addition to the exam topics, test-takers also need to have amassed the required 300 hours of hands-on dog training experience. Note that the Dog Adventures Northwest Adventure service can be used toward certification hours (Adventures only, no time driving).
  
  Dog Adventures Northwest is working on developing a program to guide new trainers through the self-study process, with reading/listening/assignments and office hours. This program will help folks follow the path to certification, provide a mentor for questions and discussions, help learners find trainers to observe, and provide gentle accountability. If you are interested in this program, please let us know.

To contract with Dog Adventures Northwest, contractors must either prove enrollment in a program, or submit a fully-formed learning plan toward certification. We are here to help answer questions at any step of the way!

Trainers who work with Dog Adventures Northwest are classified as "Independent Contractors" for Dog Adventures Northwest, and not "Employees" of Dog Adventures Northwest. Dog Adventures Northwest is in full compliance with this IRS classification. 

WARNING: We are about to say a bunch of businessy-business type things. For those of you who are already running a successful business in the dog industry, first of all, hooray, and second, this stuff will be old hat. For those who are new here, however, please know that we are nice and we are patient and we are always happy to explain things and help people succeed.

To learn more about the difference between employees and independent contractors, please read this article on the IRS website. Here are the key takeaways...

• Dog Adventures Northwest is not an independent contractor's "boss" or "employer." Dog Adventures Northwest is a general contractor, and independent contractors are sub-contractors to the business. Each individual contractor either has an LLC or S Corp and is "self-employed."
  
  
• Dog Adventures Northwest offers specific services. Independent contractors who choose to contract with Dog Adventures Northwest agree to offer those services as they are advertised. These people get to choose how, when, where, and with whom to offer these services.
  
  
• Dog Adventures Northwest's contractors select and supply their own equipment, supplies, and transportation. (We've got lists and things.)
  
  
• Dog Adventures Northwest does not withhold taxes on the behalf of contractors. Independent Contractors are entirely responsible for withholding their own self-employment taxes. (If you're new here, we can help.)
  
  
• Dog Adventures Northwest contractors are encouraged to seek their own industry-related work, including work that directly competes with Dog Adventures Northwest services. While DANW contractors cannot solicit DANW clients for their own businesses, there is no "non-compete" clause in the contract.
  
  
• Dog Adventures Northwest does not offer benefits such as sick leave, vacation leave, retirement savings, disability, health care, or unemployment.
  
  
• Dog Adventures Northwest contractors decide the risk level of their company's liability, and carry their own insurance. This may include insurance for health, injury, disability, commercial car insurance, and/or lost wage insurance. (When we started, we didn't know about these things either, but we've gone down all of the rabbit holes and are happy to help small businesses level up.)
  
  
• Dog Adventures Northwest contractors are not covered by the Americans with Disability Act, which solely provides for employees. DANW is, however, a highly ethical company, and will negotiate accommodations when possible.

If you are confused about any of these things, or feel overwhelmed by all of the Scrabble words, or just need someone to hold you, we can take care of two of those things. Read through this FAQ. And if you still have questions? No problem. We got you.

Yes indeed! Either that or an S Corp (which is less common). An LLC, or Limited Liability Company, is a popular type of business structure that combines some of the benefits of both corporations and partnerships. It provides the owners—called "members"—limited personal liability, meaning they aren’t personally responsible for the company's debts or legal issues beyond what they’ve invested in the business. This helps protect personal assets like your house or your savings if the business faces financial trouble.

At the same time, LLCs are flexible in how they are managed and taxed. They often benefit from pass-through taxation, which means the company's profits and losses pass directly to the members' personal tax returns, avoiding the double taxation some corporations face. LLCs are relatively easy to set up and maintain compared to corporations, making them a popular choice for small business owners and entrepreneurs wanting liability protection without overly complicated regulations.

Don't have an LLC (or an S Corp)? We are happy to mentor new business owners through this process. Filing an LLC involves a few steps, which can vary somewhat depending on your state, but generally, the process looks like this:

1. Choose a Name: Pick a unique name for your LLC that follows your state’s rules. The LLC can be your name, followed by "LLC," or you can use the opportunity to find the cheesiest dog pun out there.
   
   
2. File Articles of Organization: Submit a formal document—often called "Articles of Organization" or "Certificate of Formation"—to your state’s business filing office, usually the Secretary of State. This document includes basic info about your LLC, like its name, address, and members. You do not need to use a third party like Legal Zoom or any of the other kabillion companies that want your money. Seriously. Don't pay someone to do this for you. It is actually easy because of The Internet. And we are available to help.
   
   
3. Pay the Filing Fee: Pay a registration fee, which varies by state, to complete the filing.
   
   
4. Create an Operating Agreement: While not always required, it’s a good idea to draft an operating agreement that outlines how your LLC will be managed, ownership percentages, and other important rules. (Again, don't pay someone for this. There are many templates available online.)
   
   
5. Get an EIN: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS if you’re in the U.S., which is necessary for taxes, opening a bank account, and hiring employees. (This may or may not be true, depending on your state. In Oregon, LLCs just default to a sole member/owner's social security number if there is no EIN.
   
   
6. Follow Local Requirements: Depending on your location, you might need additional licenses or permits, or to register for state taxes.

The Secretary of State's website for the state in which you live will provide more specific instructions for how to make all of this happen.  It may sound daunting, but it's really not. And if you are already running a dog industry business, and don't have your business listed as an LLC? You can use this to light a fire under you to get it done.

Please note that you will also need a business checking account in your LLC's name to begin contracting with Dog Adventures Northwest.

Heck yeah. Many of our adventurers run their own training businesses. You can even have your own adventure business. Legal contracts for independent contractors are not actually allowed to demand a "non-compete" clause. We just stipulate that clients generated by Dog Adventures Northwest must stay clients of Dog Adventures Northwest. (This part of the contract is called "non-solicitation.) We land our clients as a result of overwhelmingly positive reviews, significant advertising, digital content creation, and reputation/word-of-mouth from our 15 year history. Meaning, our clients are hard-won, and are contractually protected against theft or "poaching." If you leave Dog Adventures Northwest, any clients you had with Dog Adventures Northwest cannot be personal clients for a minimum of one year after closing of your contract.

Yes! As an independent contractor, you get to decide when you work. Most of our clients want regular and recurring weekly adventures, so that would be ideal. But you get to pick the day and the time and the number of dogs you take out. Only want to adventure one day per week? That works! Only want to take out one dog at a time until you find your feet? Cool. Only want to take dogs out in specific seasons or at a specific time of day? No problem.  

Yes! In fact, we recommend it. In Portland, new contractors have a lengthy waitlist to work from, which allows them to hit the ground running. For our expansion cities, however, we will be brand new, so it may take time to build clientele. It's a good idea for you to diversify your income streams by starting hiking with Dog Adventures Northwest as a side hustle and letting it expand over time. You actually shouldn't make all of your income by contracting for Dog Adventures Northwest. The IRS would like to see you making money from your own company—or another job—as well, otherwise we risk misclassification.

You get time "off" whenever you like. You don't need to submit time off for approval, you just take it. As an independent contractor, you decide when you work.

This is something we will work on together if your application to contract with Dog Adventures Northwest is accepted. As part of contractor onboarding, we will help you find safe and legal hiking locations in Portland and expansion cities.

Nope! You are an independent contractor, so you get to set your own adventure and training locations. As part of the onboarding process, we will work together to find locations for safe and legal adventuring. Dog Adventures Northwest is not responsible for paying to lease private land. 

Absolutely! As an independent contractor, you accept or deny any client lead for any reason.

Dog Adventures Northwest is a committed force-free, fear-free, science-based organization. If you would like to take clients under our name, it is necessary to commit to rewards-based training and to never, ever use aversive methods or tools on Dog Adventures Northwest clients. Aside from that stipulation, you get to call the shots for how you fulfill the service offered to clients by Dog Adventures Northwest. 

Commission statements are generated by Dog Adventures Northwest through the Time to Pet online management system on the 15th and the last day of each month. Contractors are paid at these times for work in the proceeding weeks via direct deposit.

Dog Adventures Northwest will not pull taxes from your pay to set them aside for tax time. As an independent contractor, you are responsible for managing your taxes. We recommend setting between 25% and 30% of all of earnings aside to pay state and federal taxes in April. (Pro-tip: move a percentage of all commissions into a separate tax account and pretend it doesn't exist. Do this, religiously, for every single payment you receive. Don't be the guy that didn't set aside taxes and now owes a bunch of money to the Man. It sucks to be that guy.) We are happy to help new business owners navigate this process.

As an independent contractor, you are responsible for these expenses. Dog Adventures Northwest is actually not even allowed to pay for these things, as dictated by the IRS tax code. The good news, though, is that you can deduct these expenses on your taxes, making your tax liability decrease.

If you've looked at the Garmins online, you'll see that they are bananas expensive. While Dog Adventures Northwest doesn't cover the actual cost, we are happy to secure equipment for our contractors on a no-interest loan, paid back by commission, with automatic buy-back. Meaning, you only pay off the Garmin equipment expense from money that you are actively making through Dog Adventures Northwest, and only on commission periods in which you make more than the minimum payment ($50 per active commission statement). What's more, if you decide you don't want to adventure with Dog Adventures Northwest at any point (whaaaaaaat no where are you going we love you), Dog Adventures Northwest will automatically pay back a percentage of your investment (starting at 100% and going down over time as the equipment is used).

As a part of the new contractor onboarding process, you'll get an complete list of all supplies that may be helpful to you, along with brand recommendations. The only mandatory piece of equipment, aside from a car to transport dogs, is a Garmin satellite tracking unit and accompanying collars, as this is an integral part of our service. In case you missed it above, Dog Adventures Northwest is happy to purchase the equipment on a no-interest loan with automatic buy-back, and payments of $50 would only be deducted during active commission periods.

No, we can't legally do so, but we will help you with all of this stuff as a part of onboarding you onto the team.

For our Expansion Team folks outside of Portland, we will create a new landing page on our website with all of your information. Then, we will identify businesses in your area to contact to introduce you/re-introduce you (vets, retailers, daycares, groomers, etc). We will also identify competitors in your area for pricing and a sense of the community. Then, we will start advertising campaigns in your area on Facebook, Instagram, and Google, and go from there! While you are not responsible for securing clients, you receive a $50 referral bonus for any clients that you directly add to your Dog Adventures Northwest clientele. Are you in Portland? All of this stuff is ready to go for you.

Yes indeed! You get a $50 referral bonus for every client you bring to the Dog Adventures Northwest roster, and we'll handle all of the administrative logistics beyond that. 

Nope! You keep the clients you earned. Even if you bring them into Dog Adventures Northwest for administration, you'll still get right of refusal for requests, and you can take these clients if you decide you no longer want to contract for Dog Adventures Northwest at a later date. Please note that if you are offering any kind of off-leash hiking service on your own, your personal clients and Dog Adventures Northwest clients cannot share space in a car or on the trail.

Yes! The ratio 4:1 ratio stays the same, so you would be able to take your dog and up to three other dogs out with you. (Or your two dogs and two client dogs, etc.)

100%. We see you and care about you. And if you are a part of a marginalized community, we will always welcome you with open arms. We do not pay lip-service to allyship, instead finding actionable steps to take to support our people.

(Do you live in Portland, Oregon? You can skip this one!)

Dog Adventures Northwest has been highly successful in Portland, Oregon for almost fifteen years, with very happy clients and super-duper happy contractors. We help Portland families outsource their pup's enrichment, and  do so in a safe and ethical way. Our new "Beta Expansion Team" will test proof-of-concept in a small number of other American cities... 

Which is where you come in! Would you like to take dogs on hikes in your area? 

If you run your own dog business—or are starting one—and have a passion for positive reinforcement training and off-leash outdoor adventures for dogs, we will handle the rest of the circus, including research into licensure, multi-state service ventures, liability, insurance, best legal practices, standard operating procedures for satellite contractors, and lots more.

We have been working on this juuuuuust about 24-7 for the past year, and we are eager to get 'er done. Will this work? We don't know! But we won't know until we genuinely try. 

(And we are really good at trying.) 

Applying to join our Beta Expansion Team will get you in on a really cool thing as an active participant in ground floor growth, with room for collaboration, feedback, and community. We are genuinely better together and we cannot wait to begin this next stage in development with trainers around the country. If you're interested in joining the party, you can apply here. Want to learn more about joining the team? Check out our Hit the Trail landing page.

Hi. It's me. Kerry. I wrote a lot of "we"s above, as the company is quite communal. But this part is from me, and just me. 

As I think a lot of us know, 80% of the world’s dog population is free-living, not "owned" by any one person. They scavenge for food and mate freely. They have their own territories and social hierarchies. They decide where they move. They decide when they move. They are tied to humans because they are largely dependent upon humans for food, but they are not literally tied to human bodies, at the whim of human schedules, human routines, and human methods of communication.

It’s the Western dog in captivity that's the anomaly, not the World Dog. We have taken highly social mammals out of their natural environments and put them—alone—in the sensory deprivation chamber of a house, disciplining them when they act like members of their own species, dictating their breeding, and denying them the freedom to move through the world with any kind of autonomy whatsoever. And we are now paying the behavioral price, attempting to train animals that are ill-suited to their environment and actively prohibited from expressing natural behaviors, both of which profoundly affect a dog's basic welfare.

So... what now?

There are of course many fixes to every problem, but here's the one we chose, and it's working really well:

At Dog Adventures Northwest, we give other people’s dogs the stimulation, exercise, socialization, and enrichment they need on the trail so that they can be at their best off the trail.

And we'd love for you to join us.