So You Want to Become a
Canine Behaviourist?

A special UK Registry of Canine Behaviourists advice guide, for all those interested in a career in canine behavioural modification

(This is an article republished with the kind permission of the author, Carol Price, and the UK Registry of Canine Behaviourists - UKRCB).

So this special UKRCB advice guide hopes to make the whole business of what is required to become a successful canine behaviourist that much clearer for you. Let's look at where we are now:

Professional Reputation
In recent years, many within the dog world have grown concerned about the calibre of the growing number of people setting themselves up as canine behaviourists.

Some of those attracted to canine behavioural work to date have been dog trainers, viewing behaviour modification as a logical extension of their original work. Hopefully, however, they will have come to realize that good behavioural work involves much more than just the ability to train a dog to do set tasks.

Others, perhaps greatly attracted by the monetary possibilities, set themselves up as behavioural counsellors, but in truth possess little in-depth experience of dealing with people and dogs. Similarly they will have little scientific knowledge of both canine behaviour and human psychology, will not be adequately insured, will not regularly liaise with their clients' veterinary surgeons, or belong to a recognised reputable professional body which embraces a stringent Code of Ethics.

All these attributes offer greater expertise, assurance and protection for clients, especially in the event of any possibly malpractice. They also offer greater assurance to other professionals, such as veterinary surgeons, with whom behaviourists will work to establish if there is an underlying medical reason causing, or contributing to, a dog's problem behaviour.

Canine behavioural counselling is a comparatively new and rapidly expanding area of animal health care, which has increased in popularity and demand over the past decade. To specialize in giving advice in this particular field, however, you will need special skills and an ongoing personal educational programme.

Until recently, there has been no formal path to follow for those wishing to practise in this field, unless they wish to take a university course. Later on (see the Courses section at the end of this guide) we will outline some different educational paths you can now follow.

But first, let's look at that all important issue of what defines a good canine behaviourist, in terms of not just knowledge and qualifications, but also individual personal skills:

What knowledge and qualifications do canine behaviourists need?
To be a good canine behaviourist, it is not enough, by any means, just to like dogs, or to feel you have a gift for working with them, on the basis of simply owning and/or knowing a few you got in well with. You must possess a sound grasp of the science of how dogs fundamentally 'tick' as a species, physically, psychologically and in terms of their basic social behaviour.

You must also be well versed in the character of many different dog breeds, and their specific genetic quirks, while still respecting how dogs can vary as individuals. You must be conscious of the multitude of different factors, from early rearing, environment and diet, to specific facets of genetic inheritance that may influence the way any dog behaves. Much of the above knowledge can only be acquired through suitable study and practical 'hands on' experience, usually over many years.

If you are a veterinary surgeon, rescue centre, or dog owner, looking for a behaviourist to deal with often quite serious canine problems, it also stands to reason that you are more likely to choose someone who possesses suitable qualifications and belongs to a well respected professional organisation, rather than someone who does not.

Communication skills
Excellent communication skills are also vital in any good behaviourist - not just with dogs, but also with people. Remember, much, if not most, of your work will involve dealing with people - i.e. dog owners. How well a behaviourist can work with an owner, in terms of correctly identifying the source of the problem they have with their dog, and then developing and explaining the best possible solution for it, is often the key to his or her professional success, or lack of it! Also, even if unwittingly, owners themselves can often be contributing towards the problem they are experiencing with their own dog, in terms of their general handling of the dog in question, or the environment/psychological demands they are imposing on it. A behaviourist has to know how to approach situations like this with appropriate delicacy and tact.

He or she must also become adept as assessing the essential dynamics of different domestic households and human/canine environments, in order to establish how these may be influencing the behaviour of the relevant resident dog, or dogs.

Dog training skills
All the above factors apart, you should also display some proven skill in the field of dog training, as this gives a clear indication of how well, or not, you are able both to communicate with a dog, and also motivate it to cooperate with you. Equally, you should be able to transfer your own personal knowledge and skill in this area to other dog owners, helping them to get similarly good responses from their dogs, via the use of specific training techniques based on positive reinforcement and sound up to date scientific principles. In addition, training experience with many different breeds of dog is essential. You must also be aware of how dogs learn, and how you can control or manage this process to the most successful effect, for both owners and dogs.

Constant progress
A good behaviourist is one who is constantly prepared to challenge or question his or her own way of working with dogs. Effective behaviourists never close their minds to the possibility of doing something better, more enlightened, or more humane, when it comes to the training of dogs, or management of their behaviour.

Learning for a good canine behaviourist should never stop. Going on courses, reading and studying, networking with others in your field, and learning about allied subjects will all help you with your behavioural work. In addition to an all-round knowledge of dogs and dog behaviour in general, many canine behaviourists also go on to specialise in one or more particular areas of personal expertise, be these to do with training, or certain breeds, or a specific kind of canine behaviour problem, such as aggression.

Mentally challenging
Canine behavioural work can be quite stressful, as well as mentally and emotionally challenging. This is because you will often be dealing with highly troubled dogs and/or owners in a considerable state of distress. Desperate owners may also ring you at antisocial times expecting sympathy and help.

Sometimes you may have to help owners make an extremely difficult decision, such as whether or not a dog should be euthanized, given the nature of its behaviour. Not everyone who loves dogs will find this professional responsibility easy to handle.

You will need to be a very patient person, both with dogs and their owners alike, and not be quick to panic when faced with a particularly agitated or aggressive dog. You will also need a good level of personal confidence, in order to step into any troubled human/canine situation and attempt to find the most appropriate solution.

Remember, owners are looking to you to make their situation less baffling or 'scary' and more manageable, and the more confidence you show in this respect, the better they will feel.

Getting started
If, after reading all the above, you still feel you have what it takes to make a good canine behaviourist, then the first step is usually to begin some appropriate course of study. Ideally this will be combined with practical experience in dealing with a wide range of different dogs.

Typical places to begin this sort of practical experience are grooming parlours, veterinary surgeries, rescue centres, boarding kennels or behind the scenes at dog training clubs.

When writing to such places, or directly approaching them, always be particularly polite and express a real sense of commitment and interest in what they are doing. Remember, they are doing you a favour, in giving you the chance to learn new and potentially quite valuable things on their premises, and not the other way around.

As a result, it is unlikely that you will be paid for any part-time help undertaken in such places. But this work should generally broaden your 'hands on' experience of dogs immensely, in tandem with your ongoing academic study.

As touched on earlier, it is also essential continually to widen your dog knowledge, and keep it up to date, through reading as many books as possible on the subject, as well as regularly buying specialist canine publications, which often report on new theories and techniques in dog behaviour and training.

Courses in the UK
Many people, having a wealth of practical experience with dogs but lacking the necessary academic qualifications, are unable to attend residential academic courses because of varying home commitments.

Compass - Distance Learning
It is with such people in mind that the UKRCB suggested to Compass - a non profit making distance learning college, dedicated to the furthering of knowledge in all subjects related to animals and animal learning - that they should provide an advanced accredited course in canine behaviour.

The resulting course, Advanced Diploma in Canine Management (ADipCBM), is designed to be the definitive course on canine behavioural management for those who cannot afford the time (or money) to go to University.

The aim of the course is to prepare participants academically to work in the role of canine behavioural advisors. It should be noted that this course is not open to all because of the technical nature of the material. However, Compass also offer four graded, preliminary courses to help the less academically experienced students make a start on acquiring the necessary academic qualifications. Advice can be obtained from Compass as to ascertaining the most suitable course level for an individual to start their academic career.

Information about Compass is available at www.compass-education.co.uk Compass is a corporate member of the Open College Network and the Institute for Animals Care Education in liaison with the Accreditation Syndicate for Education and Training. All courses are independently accredited by either (or both) of these bodies.

The advanced Animal Behaviour course offered by Compass is favourably received by the University of Southampton as an entry qualification for mature students applying for their animal behaviour programmes.

Compass can be contacted by phone on 0845 458 5981 or by post at Moss End, Corsack, Castle Douglas DG7 3ED.

Animal Behaviour Courses
University of Southampton
For those wishing to study all companion animals rather than specializing in canine behaviour, there are varying University Degrees available, such as the Post Graduate Certificate/MSc Animal Behaviour courses run at: New College, University of Southampton, The avenue, Southampton SO17 1BG. Tel 0800 085 6361; Fax 023 802 30944, Website

The University of Southampton's Post Graduate qualification of MSc. complies with the accreditation scheme initiated by the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour. This scheme was launched in April 2003, following the creation of a working party which includes a member of the UKRCB. The royal College of Veterinary Surgeons supports this scheme which includes all companion animals. Details of the criteria necessary for certification of Clinical Animal Behaviourists can be found on www.asab.org

University of Lincoln
There is also a full-time undergraduate degree in Animal Behaviour Science at the University of Lincoln. Contact University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, LN6 7TS.Telephone 01522 882000 and Website

Other than for personal interest, and to widen your knowledge of dog behaviour in general, there is little point in just doing endless one-off courses here and there if they are not ultimately leading you anywhere more helpful in terms of your long-term ambition to be a full-time practising canine behaviourist.

It is far better to work towards joining a suitably well-known and respected professional organisation, such as the UK Registry of Canine Behaviourists, Ltd., founded in 1992 and recommended by the Dogs Trust (formerly The National Canine Defence League). This way you can have set goals, in terms of the level of education and experience you must attain in order to fulfil their requirements for membership.

Ladder of Progress with the UKRCB
The UKRCB now offers a distinct 'ladder of progress' for people wanting to become suitably qualified/experienced canine behaviourists, belonging to their organisation. Providing you meet their specific educational requirements, you can begin your membership with them at the basic 'student' level, and then gradually work your way up to full membership with them, after a sufficient amount of study and experience. This may take some time, but you will be given excellent backup from other UKRCB members.

For more details about this scheme, contact our Membership Application Officer, Robert Alleyne on 0208 355 4836.

For more information about the UKRCB in general, contact UKRCB General Secretary Pat White on 0207 243 0359 or consult the Criteria page on the UKRCB website. This page carries full details of our criteria and 'ladder of progress' for application for affiliation.

Finally . . .
Hopefully this advice guide will have given you a better idea of what being a good canine behaviourist involves. Ultimately, however, working with problem dogs and their owners should be viewed less as a 'career' and more of a vocation.

Top canine behaviourists are usually very special people on many levels. That is what sets them apart from everyone else.

With thanks to the author of this guide, Carol Price, Full Member UKRCB Ltd.
Guide Copyright (c) by UKRCB Ltd.

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