Which animal professional is most appropriate for my pets training and behavioural needs?
Did you know that the animal behaviour and training field is unregulated? This means that anyone can call themselves a behaviourist or trainer, making it difficult to know where to locate appropriately qualified and experienced practitioners.
Lack of knowledge in the field of animal behaviour could lead to reduced welfare, worsening of behavioural complaint(s), harm to the human-animal bond and increased rates of rehoming or euthanasia. These are all matters that we want to prevent, after all, we just want our pets to be happy and healthy.
I feel it is vital that as a pet owner, you understand the roles of different animal professionals that can support your pet with their physical, emotional and cognitive health, I hope that this article can assist you in finding the most appropriate animal professional to support you with your pets training and behavioural needs.
Animal Trainers (AT)
An animal trainer is an animal professional who specialises in teaching animals skills and tasks. An animal trainer develops training plans and evaluates training to ensure that the animal is meeting goals. An animal trainer may work with animals but may not work with people, for example, training zoo animals.
Animal Training Instructors (ATI)
An animal training instructor is qualified and experienced in instructing and coaching owners or caregivers in the mechanics of training and how to train an animal in life skills or obedience-type training. For example, teaching an owner how to train their dog to wait or recall. Animal training instructors will develop training plans, and support caregivers and their animals in meeting desired goals.
An animal training instructor may provide owners with advice on how to prevent behavioural complaints in the future, for example, by providing advice on appropriate socialisation.
Animal Behaviour Technicians (ABT)
An animal behaviour technician is an animal professional who’s role is to support pet caregivers by designing and implement training schedules which aim to prevent future behavioural complaint(s) from developing. An animal behaviour technician can also provide behavioural first aid advice which prevents behavioural concerns from worsening whilst you are awaiting a behavioural assessment.
An animal behaviour technician may assist caregivers in implementing behavioural modification plans or environmental alterations which have been recommended following a behavioural assessment by a clinical animal behaviourist or veterinary behaviourist.
Clinical Animal Behaviourists (CAB)
A clinical animal behaviourist is a qualified professional who has undertaken extensive training in the subject of animal behaviour, usually at degree level. Clinical animal behaviourists complete further assessments to achieve certification and follow a code of conduct set out by a registered organisation such as the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) or CCAB Certification Ltd. to ensure they are meeting professional standards. A clinical animal behaviourist will only work on veterinary referral to ensure that your pet's physical health has been evaluated prior to assessment.
The role of a clinical animal behaviourist is to complete a behavioural assessment to identify the motivation or emotions driving your pet's behavioural complaint(s). Subsequently, they develop a behaviour modification plan which is individualised for the animal's needs to prevent or address behavioural complaint(s). A clinical animal behaviourist will either work closely with the animal’s veterinarian or if they suspect that a physical health condition may be influencing the animal’s behaviour they may seek the support of a veterinary behaviourist.
Becka is currently the only qualified and practising clinical animal behaviourist in Jersey. We do not currently have a veterinary behaviourist on the Island, so Becka works closely with case veterinarians, however, difficult cases out of the remit of Becka and the case veterinarian would be referred, or advice would be sought from a veterinary behaviourist out of the island.
Veterinarians and Veterinary Behaviourists (VB)
A veterinarian is a qualified professional who is qualified to degree level and is registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. A veterinary behaviourist is a professional who holds a veterinary degree alongside additional qualifications in animal behaviour. Only a veterinarian or veterinary behaviourist is qualified to investigate and diagnose medical complaints which could be influencing an animal's behaviour, they can also advise on medical investigations, treatments, nutritional or pharmacological support.
If an animal has developed a sudden change to their behaviour, a veterinary assessment should always be sought before seeking training or behavioural support. The veterinarian will complete an assessment of the animal's physical health before referring to a behavioural professional. It is unlikely that goals set in a training or behaviour modification plan will be achieved if an animal has an underlying health condition, this will lead to owners feeling frustrated and could be costly.
Finding the right professional
The Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) sets standards of knowledge and practical skills in the animal behaviour and training sector, the charity retains a directory of practitioners which includes veterinary behaviourists, clinical animal behaviourists, animal trainers, animal training instructors and animal behaviour technicians. The register can be found at the following link: https://abtc.org.uk/practitioners/
A good trainer should use positive reinforcement to train animals, this means that something rewarding is added to increase the chance of them repeating a desired behaviour, a reward can be anything that your pet enjoys but high-value foods are best when training a new behaviour.
The algorithm and checklist below can assist you in choosing an appropriate animal professional for your pet’s training and behavioural needs.
Checklist for finding a good dog trainer/behaviourist
Ask your veterinarian to support you in finding a trusted, qualified and experienced trainer or behaviour professional.
Ask your trainer/behaviourist about their training methods, avoid trainers who use the words ‘alpha’, ‘pack’, ‘leader’, or ‘dominance’ since these trainers will likely use aversive/punitive training methods. Aversive training methods are unethical and harmful to health, welfare and the human-animal bond.
Ask to see your trainer/behaviourists qualifications.
Ask if your trainer/behaviourist is registered with a governing organisation or regulatory body, do they follow a code of conduct?
Find a trainer who uses positive reinforcement or force-free training methods, these are welfare-friendly and support the human-animal bond.
Seek a trainer/behaviourist who will work with you to meet personal goals that fit with your lifestyle and needs.
Always find a trainer/behaviourist who works within their remit and who is willing to refer your pet to a more experienced or qualified professional if your pet’s needs are out of their expertise.
