Pet behaviour consultant

Pet behaviour consultants help pet owners deal with animal behaviour problems.

Also known as: Pet behaviour counsellor

• Typical hours30 to 40 a week

What you'll do

As a pet behaviour consultant, you could:

• take referrals from vets
• talk to owners and observe their animal's behaviour
• investigate the nature of the problems and likely causes
• create a training plan tailored to individual animals
• make sure training takes place in a safe environment
• monitor the animal's progress
• advise owners on how to manage their pet's behaviour once training ends
• keep up to date with animal welfare regulations

Working environment

You could work at a client's home, in a therapy clinic or at a veterinary practice.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time and you'll travel often.

Skills and knowledge you'll need

You'll need:

• knowledge of animal psychology
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to work on your own
• the ability to create the best conditions for learning or teaching new things
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• customer service skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to work well with others
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

How to become a pet behaviour consultant

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly
• specialised training with a professional body

University

You could take a degree that includes the study of animal behaviour, though it is not essential. Relevant courses include:

• animal behaviour and welfare
• animal management
• zoology with animal behaviour

If you want to become a member of a recognised professional or industry body you should check their preferred degree subject requirements.

As well as your degree, you will also need knowledge of different types of animals and animal breeds, and some experience of animal handling and training.

Postgraduate qualifications in subjects like animal welfare and behaviour, or applied animal behaviour and welfare, are also available.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You could take a course at college that would give you some of the skills and knowledge you need to start in an animal care role. From there, you could work towards further qualifications in animal behaviour.

Courses include:

• animal care
• companion animal behaviour and training
• practical animal care skills
• canine welfare, training and behaviour

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an Animal Training Instructor Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.

This takes around 2 years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Work

You could start out as an animal care assistant, with:

• a dog kennels
• a vet's practice
• a riding stables
• an animal welfare centre

With experience and the support of your employer, you may be able to train on the job to become a pet behaviour consultant.

Volunteering

Voluntary work with an animal welfare organisation, veterinary surgery or a pet rescue centre can be a useful way to get experience. This could help when you're looking for paid positions.

You can find out about volunteering opportunities from:

• PDSA
• RSPCA
• Blue Cross
• Dogs Trust
• Guide Dogs

Other routes

You can find specialist courses on animal behaviour with animal welfare and training organisations. It may help to work towards national standards or membership of a professional body, such as:

• Pet Education, Behaviour and Training Council
• The Kennel Club
• Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour

Career path and progression

With qualifications and experience, you can apply for Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist status . This recognises your skills and expertise and will allow you entry onto the Register of Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourists.

You could set up your own practice, work for an animal welfare organisation or get involved in animal behaviour research.

Guides for this industry

• Animal Care: pay, interviews and getting started →

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