Finding behaviour and training support

Although they sound as though they do a similar job, trainers and behaviourists have particular expertise in different areas. 

Dog trainers specialise in teaching you how to use rewards that your dog enjoys in order to teach them what you would like them to do.

This could include walking nicely on lead, teaching your dog not to jump up on people, teaching them not to beg for food, or to settle down quietly when you need them to.  

Dog trainers can also specialise in specific types of activity, such as agility, obedience, trick training or nose-work (teaching your dog to find hidden items by smell), any of which you might choose to do just for fun or even for competition.

A trainer will help you to improve your own training skills when it comes to teaching your dog. 

Dog School is our very own nationwide network of experienced dog trainers. Learn more about the training classes we offer.

Dog behaviourists specialise in problems that are much more emotional for dogs, for example when they become anxious, frightened, or frustrated.

Feeling like this can lead dogs to behave in ways that may be dangerous for themselves and others, such as chasing traffic, panicking when left alone, worrying about noises and causing damage to themselves or the home, or behaving aggressively towards people or other animals.  

These types of behaviours can’t be resolved simply through training, because as well as learning to behave in a different way, the dog also needs to learn to feel differently about things.

Behaviourists will show you how to help your dog feel better and resolve the problem by identifying and removing the underlying emotional distress involved, and then creating a tailor-made plan for you to follow that teaches your dog an alternative, more positive way of behaving instead. 

Our team of dog behaviour specialists keep up-to-date with all the latest science and research in dog behaviour. For free expert advice contact our Behaviour Support Line, we’ll chat through any concerns you have over the phone and recommend a course of action.

The first thing to do whenever you see any changes in your dog’s behaviour, or behaviour that concerns you, is to have your dog examined by a vet.

Why do I need to see a vet first, before seeing a behaviourist?

A range of different medical conditions might affect the way a dog behaves, so sometimes a change in behaviour can actually be a sign that your dog is unwell or is in pain or discomfort even though you might not be able to find anything obviously wrong.

Because medical factors might either cause problematic behaviour or contribute to it, it’s important to rule these out or to ensure your dog is being treated for any illness or injury, as sometimes treatment results in a difference to their behaviour right away. 

Your vet can then refer you to a behaviourist and provide them with your dog’s medical history so they can take any medical factors into account when investigating your dog’s worrying behaviour.

For example, suffering with sore ears in the past might be an important consideration for a dog who has recently started to growl when being stroked on the head or having a lead clipped onto their collar by their ears. 

Behaviourists will investigate all the relevant aspects of your dog’s life in order to decide the most suitable approach to helping them feel and behave better.

How do I choose a dog behaviourist?

Inappropriate or outdated advice or methods might adversely affect your dog’s welfare and might even make the problem behaviour worse in the long term.

Because anybody can use the title ‘behaviourist’, even without qualifications or experience, it’s important to check that they belong to an organisation where members are required to have good standards of education, qualification and experience.

This will ensure that they will have the right up-to-date knowledge, skills and ability to help your dog. 

The Animal Behaviour and Training Council also represents and maintains registers of animal behaviourists fulfilling accreditation criteria and belonging to approved member associations. 

The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB) is an independent organisation which accredits Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourists (CCAB), a standard identical to the certification mentioned above.  

Behaviourists registered with these organisations at the level of Certified or Clinical Animal Behaviourist will hold an approved qualification at degree level of higher and have undertaken an extensive period of supervised training in order to build up a portfolio of casework.

They will only work on veterinary referral, ensuring that any underlying illness, injury or pain is being treated in conjunction with the behavioural support being given. 

Similarly, veterinarians who hold Advanced Practitioner or Specialist Status in Animal Behaviour can be found via the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.  

When you have located a behaviourist in your local area, it’s always worth checking what their qualifications mean as well as the types of methods they use to address behavioural problems.

It’s important to feel comfortable working with your behaviourist and be confident that your dog’s welfare is always prioritised. 

Some behavioural support might be covered by pet insurance, so if your dog is insured it is worth checking the terms and conditions of your policy.