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- A trainer teaches skills, like walking nicely on the lead, coming back when called or settling.
- A behaviourist looks for the reason behind problem behaviour, like fear, frustration or pain, and helps change how your dog feels.
- If your dog is frightened, aggressive, panics when alone or guards things, start with a behaviourist.
- In the UK, neither title is regulated. Anyone can use them.
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You search for help and find "trainers", "behaviourists", "behaviour consultants" and "dog psychologists", all offering to fix your dog. It's hard to know who does what. You're not alone in that. A UK study of dog owners found that "the distinction between these professional titles may not always be clear to clients." This guide explains the difference and how to pick the right person.
The difference
What a dog trainer does
A trainer teaches your dog skills, and teaches you how to ask for them. That covers things like:
- loose-lead walking
- recall
- sit, down, stay and settle
- stopping jumping up
- puppy manners and classes
- dog sports
Training is about what your dog does. Most good trainers use rewards like food, toys and play.
What a dog behaviourist does
A behaviourist works on problems that come from how your dog feels. Dogs Trust describes these as emotional problems such as anxiety, fear and frustration, and says they "aren't issues that simple training will fix." That covers things like:
- barking and lunging at dogs or people
- growling, snapping or biting
- panic when left alone
- guarding food, toys or the sofa
- fear of noises, visitors, the car or the vet
A behaviourist asks why. Is this dog frightened, frustrated, over-excited or in pain? Then they work on the cause, as well as the behaviour you can see. Pain is a big part of this. A 2020 review by vets and behaviour scientists found pain was involved in around a third of behaviour cases, on a cautious estimate. So a good behaviourist always considers it, and sends you to your vet if needed.
Where they overlap
Behaviour work still uses training. A reactive dog needs to learn new skills, like looking back at you when they see a dog. And many trainers know a lot about behaviour. The key question is whether the person helping you looks for the cause.
Which do you need?
| Your dog... | Start with |
|---|---|
| pulls on the lead but is happy and relaxed | a trainer |
| ignores recall in the park | a trainer |
| is a puppy or teenager learning manners | a trainer or puppy session |
| barks and lunges at other dogs | a behaviourist |
| growls, snaps or has bitten | a behaviourist |
| panics when left alone | a behaviourist |
| guards food, toys or places | a behaviourist |
| is frightened of noises, people or places | a behaviourist |
| has changed suddenly | your vet first |
If you're not sure, a behaviourist can tell you whether it's a training issue or something deeper.
Why the titles aren't regulated
This surprises many owners. The Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) says, "In the UK animal trainers, training instructors and behaviourists (practitioners) are not regulated by government." It adds that "anyone – whatever their training, learning or experience – can call themselves an animal trainer or a behaviourist." The RSPCA says the same about trainers, and Dogs Trust warns, "Anyone can call themselves a 'behaviourist,' even without qualifications or experience." The UK study found that 61% of owners had used a trainer and 36% a behaviourist. More than half had used more than one professional.
Voluntary registers
Because there's no law, several voluntary bodies set standards. The ABTC keeps a register of practitioners assessed by member organisations. Dogs Trust also points to Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourists (CCAB) for behaviourists. Some pet insurers will only pay for practitioners from organisations on their own list. Other organisations train and assess trainers and behaviourists too. Whoever you choose, ask about their experience with dogs like yours and how they'll work with you.
I work on behaviour as well as obedience. I'm a Master Dog Trainer with the Guild of Dog Trainers and a World Champion dog trainer, and I've spent more than 15 years working with the behaviour side of family dogs as well as the obedience.
In more than 15 years I've worked with over 10,000 dogs, including dogs other trainers turned away. Many owners come to me after trying someone else first. Jamie C., whose nervous rescue dog needed a patient approach without force, wrote: "I can hands down say Alex is the best." Deborah F. had seen four other behaviourists before her German Shepherd puppy came to me. She wrote that she was "so pleased that he can be the dog we thought he could be." You can read more about me. Insurers keep their own lists of approved organisations. If you want to claim, ask your insurer whether they'd cover a session with me before you book.
Questions to ask anyone you're considering
- How much experience do you have with problems like my dog's?
- Do you belong to an organisation with a code of conduct and a complaints process?
- What methods do you use, and why?
- Will you consider whether pain could be involved, and work with my vet if needed?
- Where will you see my dog: at home, online or at a centre?
- What happens after the first session?
- What will it cost in total?
- certain results or fixed timescales. No one can honestly promise a result before meeting your dog.
- "Dominance" talk. Dogs Trust says resource guarding, for example, is "not dominance, 'naughtiness' or 'spite'." Be wary of anyone who blames being "top dog".
- Diagnosing medical problems. The RSPCA says instructors should refer you to your vet rather than diagnose. Only a vet can diagnose pain or illness.
- Ignoring sudden changes. If your dog's behaviour changed out of the blue, a good professional will want your vet involved.
- Not letting you watch. You should be able to see how your dog is handled.
The British Small Animal Veterinary Association says there is no formal requirement for a vet to be involved before behaviour work. Insurers often need one to pay a claim, though. And a vet check makes sense if the problem started suddenly, if your dog is older, or if they seem stiff or sore.
A 1-2-1 behaviour session lasts 1.5 hours and costs £160 at our Chelmsford field, or £190 at your home. I see your dog where the problem happens, look for the cause and show you the first steps. Follow-up training is £100 an hour at the training field, £120 an hour at home. All costs are on the prices page. If it turns out your dog needs a trainer more than a behaviourist, I'll say so.
Questions owners ask
What is the difference between a dog trainer and a dog behaviourist?
A trainer teaches skills, like recall and lead walking. A behaviourist looks for the cause of problem behaviour, such as fear, frustration or pain, and works on how your dog feels as well as what they do.
Do I need a behaviourist or a trainer for a reactive dog?
Usually a behaviourist, because reactivity tends to come from fear, frustration or over-excitement, and sometimes pain. Training skills are part of the work, but the cause needs addressing first.
Are dog behaviourists regulated in the UK?
No. Neither "trainer" nor "behaviourist" is regulated by law in the UK, so anyone can use the titles. Voluntary bodies such as the ABTC keep registers.
What qualifications should a dog behaviourist have?
The title isn't regulated in the UK, so ask three things: how much experience they have with your kind of problem, how they work, and whether they'll work with your vet if pain could be part of it. If you want to claim on insurance, check which organisations your insurer accepts.
Do I need a vet referral to see a behaviourist?
There's no formal requirement. Your insurer may need one, and a vet check is wise if behaviour changed suddenly.
Can a trainer help with aggression?
Some experienced trainers can, but aggression is usually rooted in fear, pain or stress, so it needs someone who looks for the cause. Start with your vet if it began suddenly, and keep everyone safe in the meantime.
Google review
Alex, is a great guy, he was brilliant with Ødie - calm cool and collected, with lots of advice and he helped us hugely with our puppy’s separation anxiety! Would highly recommend to anyone who’s struggling with their puppy to give Alex a call!
Sources
- ABTC, Practitioner organisations
- Dogs Trust, Finding behaviour and training support
- RSPCA, How to find the right dog trainer
- RSPCA, Find a clinical animal behaviourist
- Daniels J. T., Busby D., Chase-Topping M., Brown S. M. (2023), dog behaviour modification practice in the UK, Journal of Veterinary Behavior 59 (Dog Welfare Project summary)
- BSAVA, Position statement on referral
- Mills D. S. et al. (2020), "Pain and problem behavior in cats and dogs", Animals 10(2):318
- The Animal Welfare (Electronic Collars) (England) Regulations 2023
- Dogs Trust, Resource guarding in dogs
- ManyPets, Can you cover behavioural conditions?
- Reviews: Google (Jamie C., Deborah F.)
Related
Last updated . This post is general advice, not a diagnosis. If your dog may be unwell or in pain, please see your vet.