Requirements and Code of Ethics
Application Requirements
A professional handler is one who receives payment for the conditioning, training, grooming and exhibition of purebred dogs. He/she derives a portion of his/her income from this and other dog related activities.
The completed application for membership shall be submitted on the application form so provided by the CPHA.
No application will be considered unless signed by two members (not of the same family) in good standing with the CPHA. These two CPHA members shall become the character reference for the applicant(s). Application must be accompanied by the current yearly fee ($100.00) Cheques are to be made payable to the CPHA.
The application will be considered by the general membership for comment and then voted upon by the board of directors.
All decisions made for approval or rejection are final and no reason needs to be given. If the application is rejected, a full refund of fees will be made to the applicant. All applicants for membership must be at least 20 years of age.
Applicant must be a member in good standing with the Canadian Kennel Club.
Applicant must have 10 years active involvement with showing dogs including 5 years of acting as an agent.
Applicant must supply names of handlers and mentors they have studied under.
A CPHA member must exhibit at a minimum of 50 shows per calendar year.
A CPHA member will maintain proper kennel facilities, working transportation, and required equipment.
All applicants must have proper kennel facilities at the time of application, these to be inspected by a CPHA board member Photos and diagrams are to be included with the application as well as copies of business card, handling contract and fee schedule, letterhead and billing sample.
All prospective applicants agree, by signing their name to the completed application that they will abide by the code of ethics, a copy of which is contained in this membership application.
Code of Ethics
I will familiarize myself with the rules and regulations of the CPHA, the CKC and this Code of Ethics. I will abide by these rules to the utmost of my ability and I will deem it my duty to report to the Board of Directors of the CPHA any infraction of these rules by a member of the CPHA.
The dog’s care and welfare must be put first and foremost with a CPHA member. The wins are secondary.
I will not accept any dogs from any other CPHA members’ client until that member has been apprised of the situation and all his/her accounts have been satisfied in full.
I will conduct myself in a professional manner at all times. I will always be courteous and sportsman-like whenever I show dogs, no matter what the outcome of the awards may be.
I will not maliciously criticize or discuss the abilities or ineptitudes of my fellow handlers or exhibitors nor any of the dogs they may be showing.
I will, to the best of my ability, aid any fellow handler, who lives by this code, in the handling of his/her dogs should the occasion arise where they are unable to handle them, providing it does not jeopardize any of my clients or their dogs.
I will deal with my clients in a professional and business like manner, and I will advise them of all show results, wins or placings and tender them all ribbons and trophies won by their dog/s within a reasonable time period.
I dedicate myself to continuously strive to improve my knowledge and skills in the practice of my profession for the benefit of those who employ me.
I will not, in any manner, belittle or berate any judge of their decisions in the ring.
The fees for my services will be fair and just to my clients and shall be commensurate with the services rendered. An itemized bill will be supplied monthly to each client.
Unless prior arrangements have been made with a client, a client’s dog will be given priority in the ring over any dogs owned by the handler.
As a member of the CPHA, I realize I am their representative whenever I am in the public eye, and will conduct myself within the confines of this code and pledge to uphold it’s principles and intent. I swear to abide by the above Code of Ethics and to the validity of all statements contained in the application for membership in the CPHA
Download Membership Application HERE
