Dog Behaviourist - Why Do I Need One?

Dog behaviourists are canine animal behaviourists that work closely with dogs. The methods that they employ may be described either as corrective or rehabilitation. 

 A corrective dog trainer will offer corrective training techniques in an effort to correct unwanted behaviour, most often with the aid of a trained professional known as a behaviourist. A rehabilitation dog trainer undertakes specific tasks such as behaviour correction, structured socialisation, or health improvement.

A dog behaviourist has been employed by many veterinarians and animal welfare officers for many years. They have a thorough knowledge of how to approach dogs and how to correct undesirable behaviour. Dog behaviourists study different breeds and the way in which their behaviour differs from that of other dogs, identifying and solving the problems that can cause the behaviours to change. Dog behaviourists understand that dogs are not simply animals that follow commands, but animals that are intelligent and with a memory.

What Is The Job Of A Dog Behaviourist?

As a dog behaviourist, your main focus is to identify the behaviours that cause discomfort to you and your family as well as those that can be improved. Once you have identified the behaviours, you will need to find a trained professional who has the time, expertise, and experience to help you train dogs. Although dog behaviourists can train dogs effectively, they have a busy schedule and so may only be available to help you if you live in the vicinity of an obedience school, which is typically affiliated with a dog trainer college.

Because of the nature of the job, dog behaviourist jobs are difficult to find. A person who is skilled at both animal behaviour analysis and dog training is a very desirable employee. An animal behaviourist can become specialised by obtaining a PhD in animal behaviour or a related field such as dog ethology. A PhD would normally be suitable for someone who had already spent many years working as a professional dog trainer and wanted to turn this skill into a career option. In some areas of the world, you may even need to have a postgraduate qualification in order to qualify as a professional dog behaviourist.

What Is The Position Of A Dog Behaviourist?

The most desirable positions for dog behaviourist tend to be in private practices owned by animal behaviorists themselves. There are many schools and colleges that offer a PhD in animal behaviour training, but they are often quite expensive and outside the reach of most private owners. Also, public perception of dog trainers and animal behaviourists tends to be very negative. For example, many people assume that these professionals are only able to help dogs to behave badly.

Some of the positions that dog behaviourist can find is employment as a veterinary behaviourist. Veterinary behaviourists provide a wide range of services to pet owners and animal lovers. Some of the services that a veterinary behaviourist can offer include dog therapy, diagnosis and treatment of behavioural issues and general pet care. Some veterinarians even offer to-do-it-yourself dog training courses that can help those with general skills and knowledge to train their dogs themselves. It is important to note that this type of service dog training courses is often frowned upon by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviour.

Most professionals will work to develop social skills and communication skills that are essential for training new puppies or helping older dogs to adjust to changes in their surroundings. A common trait of many professionals is a desire to learn new things. It can take years for a dog trainer to become truly proficient at what they do, and some people opt for a more hands-on approach when they are first starting out. Others choose to focus more on providing information and support for pet owners who may be having behavioural issues. A lot of the professionals that work in animal behaviour consultation also provide therapy to individuals suffering from anxiety or depression caused by their dog's behaviour.

The above mentioned traits are typical of an individual working as a professional behaviour consultant or behaviourist. If you are considering purchasing or adopting a puppy or dog of any kind, it is important to find someone who is qualified and willing to help you achieve your goals. You should always research all the pros and cons of each professional before making a decision and if possible visit their website to read about their credentials. Please help me, help you and most importantly please help your puppy or dog!