So you want to be a pet behaviourist?
It’s official - I have the best job in the world! To me, working as a pet behaviour counsellor is a dream
come true. Few people get to earn a living from their hobby, and even fewer can truly say that they are
their own boss in their own right.
Interestingly, more and more people are now considering behaviour work in some form as a career.
Traditionally, those that wanted to work with animals had a rather limited choice. Veterinary medicine
means high-flying qualifications, while other forms of animal care is often poorly-paid and frequently
manual in emphasis.
However, for anyone considering a career change, or a lifetime working in this field, there are one or two
home truths that need to be explored!

What is a pet behaviour counsellor?
This may seem like an obvious question. However, the very title is open to interpretation.
Personally, I never refer to my role as a 'behaviourist' - this is technically incorrect as it actually defines
someone who studies observable behaviour, but does not intervene. Correctly titled, a pet behaviour
counsellor, or rehabilitation trainer, acts to offer suggestions to troubled pet owners, so that they
themselves can choose the option which best suits them and their pet. These options are based on a good
knowledge of theory and an even bigger helping of practical experience, which will help the behaviour
counsellor to predict the dog or cat’s behaviour to the best extent possible.
Beyond the first consultation, the counsellor's role is then to ensure that the family and pet is supported
throughout the behaviour modification process with help and practical training. This is often time
consuming. I have clients on my books that are still in touch several years after I originally saw their pet.
They like the fact that they can call me for further support and occasional pieces of advice, long after the
initial difficulty was resolved.
As you may have already guessed, in order to enjoy this work, a pet behaviour counsellor needs to like
animals, and love people! So much of the job is communication with our own species that the opportunity
to observe and work with companion animals as well is a real bonus!

Get training!
It's a sad fact that some folk seem to regard training as a bit of a poor relation to behaviour work!
Nothing could be further from the truth. It is essential that all behaviour counsellors have excellent
practical handling and training skills - and that trainers have good behavioural understanding!

Pros and cons!
Pet behaviour counselling is never a get-rich-quick possibility! Done properly, the counselling part of the
process can often be lengthy, and sometimes repetitive. By the time the veterinary liaison, veterinary
reports, owner reports and follow-up consultations have been done, the hourly rate must be well below
the minimum wage! This does not even take into consideration the hours of research, reading,
consultation with other specialists and just plain worry that goes into many cases - for anyone who thinks
that this can be done nine to five, think again!
Of course, the up-sides of the job balance such challenges completely. The satisfaction of helping a dog
and owner repair and re-establish their relationship, of bringing understanding where there was conflict,
or of running training classes to prevent problems occurring, can be immensely rewarding. Pet behaviour
counselling is not a job - it’s a lifetime vocation. Despite all the hard work and heartache, the incredible
variety, fun and sheer fascination make it all worthwhile.

Learning more...
If you are interested in learning more about pet behaviour counselling, a number of courses exist to help
you take the first step in the right direction. There is no one set route into pet behaviour counselling or
training, and I would always recommend taking as many courses as possible to gain the widest view of
the theories and practical techniques available. Always ensure that a nationally recognised awarding
body accredits any course. Beware courses which claim to ‘qualify’ individuals as behaviourists - there is
no such thing - and always ask about the practical application of the course content: theory always needs
to be backed up by practical skills, making down- to-earth training experience absolutely vital.

If you are keen to get started, my personal recommendations are:
• Think Dog - home study foundation course in behaviour and training, includes fieldwork and practical
input. Six months' duration. OCN (Open College Network) accredited. For more information visit
www.thinkdog.org
• Talk Dog - Understanding canine facial expression and body language. Four months' duration. Field
work, video material included. OCN accredited. For more information visit www.thinkdog.org
• Puppy Class Instructor course. Home study and practical weekend. OCN accredited. For more
information visit www.thinkdog.org
• Kind, Fair, Effective - Practical Skills for Dog Trainers - Association of Pet Dog Trainers. OCN
accredited. For more information visit www.apdt.co.uk

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