Before assuming anyone who hangs a shingle is competent to address the issues surrounding your pet CHECK THEIR QUALIFICATIONS. Just because someone knows how to show a dog in obedience doesn’t mean they know how to address serious issues such as aggression, anxiety, or destructiveness. Just because someone has a degree in veterinary medicine doesn’t mean that they are experts in animal behavior. It takes years of schooling, practice, and experience to know the difference between a serious, life threatening problem and an easily fixed behavior abnormality. I can’t tell you how many dogs have come to me with behavior problem deemed “unworkable” . Dogs condemned to euthanasia by veterinarians and trainers not skilled in the work that the owners had asked them to do. Owners of animals with behavioral problems don’t want to hear that the problems are so serious as to warrant euthanasia. They don’t want to hear that their animals are incorrigible, They want results. The fact is that most animals condemned as too aggressive, too hyper, too anxious, too noisy or too destructive are simply animals that have not been assessed properly by skilled behaviorists. As the individual responsible for the well-being of your pets, you should know the differences in skill levels of the people hired to help you with your animals.
Dog Training Class Instructor
This person usually has had experience showing a dog in obedience. They are usually competent to address simple puppy raising questions as they have generally had several dogs themselves. They can have extensive animal behavior experience, but not necessarily.
Private Dog Trainer
This individual knows the basics for motivating dogs to perform at a certain level. Basic obedience commands, puppy raising, and simple behavioral problems may be their specialty.
Animal Behaviorist
The skilled Animal Behaviorist is who people with serious animal problems need to visit. The problem is finding one. Many people will say that they are skilled in animal behavior when in fact, their way of dealing with an issue they can’t resolve is to advise euthanasia or to blame the breeder. There are currently no licensing requirements for animal behaviorists. A skilled animal behaviorist will be able to help with all types of serious problems with your animals, cats or dogs. They will be able to work with both you and your veterinarian in advising appropriate medications for your pets should they need drug therapy as well as training and behavior modification. They are the “psychologists” of the animal care field.
Veterinary Animal Behaviorist
If the animal behaviorist is the psychologist of the animal field, then the veterinary animal behaviorist is the psychiatrist. The veterinary animal behaviorist is a full-fledged veterinarian with a specialty in animal behavior. These are the people who can most likely determine if a behavior is caused by a lack of training and socialization or a neurological problem. This is who you turn to when no one else can seem to figure out what is causing an animal’s bizarre behaviors.
Knowing what to expect from an animal training professional can save you money, time, energy, and trouble. If you have a serious animal problem, go to a behaviorist. If you want to teach your dog basic obedience go to a dog training class. If you need something in the middle, seek a private trainer who is also a behaviorist. Know the difference. Be educated and proactive. Don’t allow for incompetence. Your pet’s life may be at stake.
