Behavioural support
Behavioural support
Dogs Trust is here to support you should you need some extra help. We offer training classes and behavioural support through Dogs Trust Dog School, and our door is always open! This page aims to give you an idea of where you can get further help, should you need it.
Sometimes, our dogs might do things that we think are problematic. Their behaviours may impact their welfare and safety or be incompatible with our lifestyle – or both. When behaviours like this occur, we need to act quickly to get our dogs, and ourselves, the most appropriate support.
Reputable professional vs Facebook expert
The internet is easy to access and many people turn to ‘Dr Google’ for information. But we need to remember that the dog training and behaviour industry is not regulated. Anyone can call themselves a behaviourist or trainer – even if they have few qualifications or little experience.
Dogs Trust is striving for regulation within the industry to ensure that everyone can access reputable professionals for support and expertise. The wrong advice can impact both your training and your relationship with your dog, so it’s important that the correct advice is given.
Please take some time to read through this section so that you have the basics.
Trainer or behaviourist?
You’ve probably heard the terms ‘dog trainer’ and ‘behaviourist’ thrown around – but what’s the difference? The following definitions have been taken directly from the Animal Behaviour and Training Council* (ABTC) website. Dogs Trust is an advisory member of the ABTC.
works with owner/handler and animal to address unwanted behaviours, including all types of undesirable, inappropriate, problematic or dangerous behaviours, on veterinary referral.
a CAB who is also a Veterinary Surgeon. May work in conjunction with ATI for rehabilitation training.
works with owner/handler and animal, for example, dog training classes. Teaches owner/handler how to train their animal to carry out required behaviours.
“The ABTC is the only charity dedicated to promoting the welfare of animals undergoing training or behaviour therapy. The ABTC believes that it cannot be right to cause any animal pain in order to motivate it to carry out desired behaviours, when humane methods are not only available, but produce better long-term results.”
For more information, click visit the ABTC website.
When would you choose a trainer and when would you choose a behaviourist?
Sometimes, a problem that you’re faced with cannot be solved through the training classes we offer at Dog School. This could be because the problem is complex, or because your coach cannot dedicate enough time within class to give you and your dog the help you need.
When this happens, your coach will likely:
Ask you to arrange a time to call them and have a chat about the problem in more detail
Ask you to change your response to the unwanted behaviour (a different way of responding to your dog may help prevent the problem from worsening, or even improve the behaviour)
Ask you to identify any triggers so that you can help your coach understand the cause of the problem behaviour (for example, does it happen at specific times or in certain places or with certain people?)
Give you some short-term management ideas that you can use to keep you, anyone in your house, and your dog safe – and prevent the problem from getting any worse
Suggest that you contact someone from the 3 people below…
Dog School coach for one-to-one training
This may be suitable if:
Your dog is struggling to cope in the class environment
Your dog would benefit from receiving class content, even though they can’t cope in class.
ABTC trainer
This may be suitable if:
The training required cannot be delivered in line with Dog School class content
The issue occurs in the home – therefore requires a home visit
You would like further training – for example, follow-on classes
ABTC registered behaviourist
This may be suitable if:
The support needed is more in-depth and requires more investigation than a trainer would be able to provide.
