Pet behaviour counsellor

Pet behaviour counsellors treat problems with the behaviour of pets such as cats, dogs, birds and horses. They discuss the pet’s behaviour and history with the owner, and then study the pet to assess the problem. Next, they give advice and help the owner to come up with a treatment plan.

Also known as

Clinical animal behaviourist
Pet psychologist

Work activities

Pet behaviour counsellors help owners to deal with a range of problems in their pets’ behaviour. These include:

Aggression (towards people or other animals).
Spraying.
Anxiety.
Damaging furniture.
Inappropriate vocal behaviour, such as too much barking.
Phobias.

Veterinary surgeons (vets) refer cases to the pet behaviour counsellor. This is because a medical problem can cause a behavioural problem. Vets and counsellors can work together to solve problems when they need to. Pet behaviour counsellors might hold regional clinics, for example, in veterinary surgeries or animal shelters. They also visit owners in their own homes. All practitioners work differently but it is likely that they will see an owner for between 90 minutes and two hours. First, the counsellor will listen and talk to the owner to find out the history of the problem. They need to know what the problem is and for how long it has been going on. Then, they assess the pet’s behaviour and temperament by watching and handling it. The counsellor should then be able to explain why the pet is behaving as it is. They will discuss how to change this behaviour, giving the owner advice and suggestions on methods to deal with the problem.

The counsellor will then advise the owner on a long-term treatment plan to manage or overcome the problem. The counsellor will need a thorough, systematic approach, changing their advice and the treatment plan depending on how much progress the animal is making. The counsellor will stay in touch with the owner, for example, by telephone or email. They can give further advice, depending on how the animal responds to the treatment. If they need to, the pet behaviour counsellor and owner will arrange a follow-up appointment. Pet behaviour counsellors write reports that describe the case and the therapy needed. Most counsellors are self-employed. They have to deal with financial records and accounts. They must also market their business, for example, by setting up a website and by placing adverts in veterinary surgeries and other settings. They drive around the local area to see pet owners, either in clinics or the owners’ own homes.

Personal qualities and skills

To be a pet behaviour counsellor, you’ll need:

To understand pets’ behaviour.
An interest in biology.
Practical skills to handle animals.
The ability to stay calm when dealing with difficult animals.
Communication skills to build trusting relationships with owners. You’ll also be working alongside veterinary surgeons.
Tact, sympathy and patience. Progress can be slow and the work can be frustrating.
Self-motivation and the ability to encourage the owner to keep going with the treatment plan.

Pet behaviour counsellors are often self-employed. This means that you must have the skills needed to run your own business, for example, to deal with accounts and records. You’ll need to be well organised, with good time-management skills. The ability to drive is almost always essential, as you’ll probably need to travel around the local area to meet owners.

Pay and opportunities

Earnings for pet behaviour counsellors vary depending on whether they are employed or self-employed. Most pet behaviour counsellors are self-employed. They may charge a visiting fee or hourly rate. The amount they earn each year depends on the number of clients they have.

Self-employed practitioners may choose their work hours to suit their clients. Employed counsellors work around 37-39 hours a week. They almost always need to work evenings and weekends, and some counsellors travel in the local area and make home visits.

A few pet behaviour counsellors are employed by animal welfare organisations such as Dogs Trust and Blue Cross. Opportunities for pet behaviour counsellors occur in towns, cities and rural areas throughout the UK.

What’s happening in this work area?

Demand for pet behaviour counsellors is growing. However, there are very few paid employment opportunities. The number of pet behaviour counsellors in the UK is small but growing.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Because most pet behaviour counsellors are self-employed, very few vacancies are advertised.

Entry routes and training

At the moment, anyone can call themselves a “pet behaviour counsellor” or a similar title such as an “animal behaviourist”. However, pet owners and the veterinary surgeons (vets) who refer cases need to have confidence in the professional standards, knowledge and expertise of the pet behaviour counsellors they work with. The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB) runs a certification scheme. This demonstrates that holders of the certificate meet the standards set out by the scheme, which is backed by organisations such as the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, the British Psychological Society and the International Society for Applied Ethology.

To gain the knowledge needed to practise this profession effectively, you could take one of the following degrees:

Animal behaviour and welfare.
Animal management.
Zoology with animal behaviour.

Alternatively, you could take a level 4 (higher) apprenticeship in the role of animal trainer. You will study for a higher-level qualification while training in the workplace. You may attend university or college on day or block release.

There is also a professional body for pet behaviour counsellors. This is the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC). As well as academic knowledge, you’ll need to have gained skills and knowledge through plenty of experience of pets. You must have developed practical skills, for example, in handling pets. It’s therefore very useful to get as much practical experience as you can. You could gain this experience by working or volunteering in places such as kennels, stables, catteries, veterinary surgeries and animal welfare charities.

Pet behaviour counsellors could go on to specialise in the behaviour of a particular animal. Some counsellors get involved in writing, research, lecturing, or training other counsellors.

Qualifications

The usual entry requirements for degree courses will vary depending on the subject and the university offering the course. As a general guide, you’ll need:

Two to three A-levels, including at least one science. The subjects you need will vary depending on the subject, course and university.
GCSEs at grades 9-4 in your A level subjects.
A further two to three GCSEs at grades 9-4, including English and maths. Equivalent qualifications, such as Edexcel (BTEC) level 3 Nationals and the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma, might be acceptable for entry - please check prospectuses carefully.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Some entrants to courses have developed relevant skills and knowledge through paid or voluntary practical experience of working with animals.

If you don’t have the qualifications needed to enter a degree course, you might be able to start one after completing an Access course, such as Access to Science. You don’t usually need any formal qualifications to take an Access course, although you should check individual course details.

The Animal Care College (ACC) and The Centre for Applied Pet Ethology (COAPE) offer relevant courses.

The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB) offers a number of grants for study or research.

Related careers

Psychologist
Zoological scientist