The APDT Foundation began in 2010 with the goal of encouraging research into dog training and behavior. The APDT Foundation is a separate entity from the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, founded in 1993.

The APDT Foundation held their first successful fundraising auction at the Annual APDT Educational Conference and Trade Show in October 2010, and their second auction at the conference in October 2011. The auction will continue to be an annual event. Our first funding cycle for Poster Sessions occurred  at the 2011 Annual APDT Educational Conference and Trade Show. The Poster Session is now a popular, regular feature of the APDT Annual Educational Conference.