By Barbara Cannon
As trainers at BAXTER and Bella, we sometimes get requests for “behaviorist” referrals, or our clients come to us because someone has recommended that they see a “behaviorist” to help with a training issue. For now, I put “behaviorist” in quotes because this is such a vague term. What is a “behaviorist,” and how can one help you and your puppy? I think it may help to break down the definition.
All dog trainers study dog behavior, whether they be a graduate of a canine training program or a student of observation and personal training. Many dog trainers go through certificate programs such as ones offered by Victoria Stilwell Training Academy, Karen Pryor Academy, CATCH Academy, and many others. Some trainers get an Associate’s degree, Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree or even a Doctorate from an accredited college program on animal behavior like Bergin University. All these programs include education in dog behavior because that is the fundamental knowledge we acquire when we become dog trainers. We study dog behavior and try to understand what motivates dogs to do what they do, to learn how dogs communicate with us, and how we can shape canine behavior, so our dogs fit more easily into our human lives and we into theirs.
There are certainly trainers who focus and specialize more in understanding animal behavior than some trainers. These professionals often are part of organizations that certify trainers as behaviorists. The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants offers a credential program to trainers who wish to become certified through them. The IAABC credential program is monitored by behavior professionals and claims to offer a “higher standard of evaluation” than the usual college degree program. When you see that a trainer is a member of IAABC, you will know that they have spent more time studying animal behavior than the typical trainer. For more information about this organization, including trainer referrals, you can go to https://iaabc.org.
Another, perhaps next-level, behaviorist is the veterinary behaviorist. As the title suggests, this is a veterinarian who has spent a part of their professional training specializing in animal behavior. This group can also include other workers in the field, such as veterinary technicians and doctorate-level behaviorists who study animal behavior as a profession. They have a professional organization, the American Veterinary Society for Animal Behavior, where you can also find referrals. Their website is https://avsab.org. There’s also the Animal Behavior Society, which offers certification in applied animal behavior to those who have a professional academic education. You can learn more about them at http://animalbehaviorsociety.org.
Now that you understand more about who these “behaviorists” may be, how do you decide who to seek out for your dog or puppy’s training needs? Usually, it is determined by the intransigence of the behavior. We all know that, as puppy owners, there is a learning curve during our puppy’s life, and they need to learn to manage their impulsive behaviors such as biting, barking, and jumping. Puppies go through several learning stages where behaviors can change rapidly before adulthood. Most dog trainers can help you assess your dog’s behaviors during this time and find training solutions to help mitigate these behaviors. Behaviors such as resource guarding, separation anxiety, and reactivity can also be managed with the help of most dog trainers. However, when these behaviors become more severe and your work hasn’t helped, you likely want to bring in someone with more expertise in that area for additional help, such as a credentialed behaviorist.
Veterinary behaviorists usually begin their protocol with medication, paired with a training plan. Many believe that the behavior of a dog with severe anxiety or fearfulness that results in aggression cannot be modified until we bring the dog to a more relaxed, neutral state. This is true with most dog training, but a dog with severe anxiety often cannot achieve this on their own without medication. You can expect that a veterinary behaviorist may want to try one or more calming medications before starting a new behavior modification plan.
Often, the first step in changing your dog’s behavior is working with a qualified dog trainer. The trainers at BAXTER and Bella are here to help our members in any way we can. Schedule a live session with one of our trainers so we can help!
Happy Training!
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