Pet Behaviour Counsellor
What is the work like?
As a pet behaviour counsellor you would advise pet owners on dealing with general control issues and problematic behaviour with their pets, including:
- inappropriate noise, such as excessive barking
- aggression towards people or animals
- destructive behaviour
- toileting issues
- chasing livestock, cars or cyclists
- phobias.
In your day-to-day work you would:
- take referrals from vets
- hold consultations in your own centre, in veterinary surgeries or in owners’ homes
- talk to the owner and observe the animal to get details of the problem
- analyse the nature of the problem and the likely causes
- advise the owner on ways of modifying their pet’s behaviour
- keep in touch with owners to check progress
- adapt the modification programme if necessary, depending on the results.
You might also offer an animal training service.
You are likely to be self-employed, organising your own tax and insurance, and doing all the administrative tasks involved in running a business.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
To become a pet behaviour counsellor you would need:
- knowledge of the theory of animal behaviour
- practical skills and experience of handling animals.
A number of courses cover the theory of animal behaviour. However, the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB) and the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) both recommend that you have a degree or postgraduate qualification in Animal Behaviour or Animal Science, or a similar relevant subject. You will need this before you can become a member of the APBC or an ASAB certificated animal behaviourist.
ASAB certification is a way of showing clients that you are competent and qualified to do your job, so it is advisable to check the requirements for certification on the ASAB website before choosing a course. You can find a list of some relevant courses on the APBC website, including foundation degrees which you could complete before progressing to a full degree. For information about foundation degrees see Foundation Degree Forward.
You can also search for colleges and universities offering foundation degrees and degrees on Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. See Hobsons Postgrad to search for postgraduate courses.
You will also need practical paid or voluntary experience of working with animals, for example in a kennels, cattery, stables, at a veterinary surgery, or with an animal welfare organisations.
You can find out about opportunities for volunteering in your area from:
- Volunteering England
- the PDSA
- the RSPCA
- the Blue Cross.
As an animal welfare assistant in a Blue Cross adoption centre you may be able to train as an animal behaviour adviser, giving advice on minor problems.
Some animal behaviour courses just cover companion animal (pet) behaviour. Others also cover farm, zoo and laboratory animals, and could lead to careers involving the management, conservation and welfare of wild, captive and domestic animals, as well as pet behaviour counselling.
What further training and development can I do?
Once you have a degree or postgraduate qualification, you will need to complete a set number of years’ professional practice (preferably under supervision) before you can become a certificated ASAB animal behaviourist or a member of the APBC. See the ASAB and APBC websites for details.
Throughout your career you would need to keep your skills and knowledge up to date, for example by attending workshops, seminars and conferences, and reading research papers and professional journals.
You could complete a postgraduate qualification such as a relevant MSc, or a PhD if you are interested in moving into research.
Where can I go for more information?
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Pet behaviour counsellors are usually self-employed and charge for each consultation.
- Charges can range from £85 to over £250 per session.
- Total earnings vary depending on the size of the business.
Self-employed pet behaviour counsellors typically supplement their income with related work like animal training, writing articles or teaching.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would usually be self-employed, so would arrange your own working hours. However, you would need to fit in with clients’ requirements, which could mean working evenings and weekends.
You could be based in your own clinic, in veterinary surgeons' clinics or visit owner's homes. You may have to spend some time outside to observe animals.
Although the work is rewarding, it can also be stressful and upsetting. For example, some of the animals you come across may have problems which cannot be modified because they are too deep seated or have a medical cause.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- knowledge of science, particularly biology
- animal-handling skills and experience
- good spoken and written communication skills
- the ability to empathise with clients and gain their trust
- patience
- the ability to motivate pet owners
- a tactful aproach to advising owners
- awareness of animal welfare legislation
- the ability to keep records and accounts.
What opportunities are there?
You may find employment with an animal welfare charity such as Blue Cross, which runs an animal behaviour service, but you would usually be self-employed or work in a private consulting firm.
Your success would depend on the amount of business you are able to attract. You could add to your income by writing articles on animal behaviour, or take further training to move into teaching.
Depending on your qualifications, you could apply your knowledge of animal behaviour in other area. Examples include research in universities or in government and private institutions, work in conservation and survival of wildlife, and research and management to increase health and reproduction or reduce stress in zoo animals.
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