The field of animal behaviour counselling is becoming regulated, having previously been an area anyone could claim to be expert in. The two dominant British organisations in the field are the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB) and the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC). Recognised behaviourists in the UK should be a member of at least one of these bodies prior to practising.
To be recognised as a behaviourist (and to register with the above associations) a relevant degree is required, such as psychology, veterinary medicine or a biological science. You will also need to have excellent handling skills so practical workplace experience is essential. Many behaviour counsellors have spent years working in veterinary surgeries or rescue kennels for example, prior to training and practising as behaviourists.
What you Need to Know
Animal behaviour counsellors are required to have a wide range of knowledge, as behaviour problems are treated holistically; the symptoms presented are likely to be a result of several factors. Areas which must be studied include genetics, pharmacology, physiology and nutrition, as well as learning theory (operant and classical conditioning).
Day to Day Work
The vast majority of pet behaviour counsellors are self-employed so it will be up to you to manage your time. You will spend most of it advising clients, either in their homes or at your own premises. A consultation usually takes around two hours. Having assessed and confirmed the cause of the problem behaviour you will write a treatment programme to send on to the client, and provide follow up distance support as required.
Other work will include the running of your business; accounts, advertising, administration, returning phone calls/emails etc.
Problem behaviours you will be consulted on will include aggression, soiling indoors, destructiveness and phobic behaviours as well as some weird and wonderful mysterious behaviours for you to unravel. You will deal with people much more than animals so you will need strong communication skills and a confident, empathetic, non-judgmental attitude, with the ability to motivate people and be understood.
Behaviourists work closely with veterinary surgeons; your clients will come to you via a vet’s referral. It is therefore essential to conduct yourself professionally and keep your knowledge up to date by attending regular lectures and training courses, in order to retain respect amongst your peers.
Financial Reward
Due to the self-employed nature of the job, a career in behaviour counselling is what you make it. It is not seen as an essential service (such as veterinary medicine or pet food) so is a relatively expensive luxury to the average pet owner. However, if you work hard and gain a good reputation you will have as much work as you want. Many behaviourists diversify to increase their income as well as their professional reputation, into areas such as journalism, writing books, running training courses and seminars, and research. You can also offer training classes to pet owners in areas such as obedience, puppy socialisation, agility or working trials.
In summary, to work successfully as an animal behaviour counsellor you will need exceptional practical skills gained through experience as well as an education to at least degree level in a relevant subject. You should also have the ability to run your own business, a genuine love of animals and exceptional communication skills with the desire to help improve the lives of pets and their owners.
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