Obedience Training Eastern Sydney – Trainer Vs. Behaviourist

Eazy Dog Training Sydney

Eazy Dog Training – Dog Trainers Vs. Animal Behaviorists, what’s the difference?

It can be quite overwhelming to find the right dog trainer to help you with your issues, and the fact that some of them call themselves behaviourists doesn’t make it any easier. What is a behaviourist? And what’s the difference between them and dog trainers? I work as a professional dog trainer and offer obedience training in Eastern Sydney.

The confusing part is that there are several different titles used for those who work with dog training and behaviour. Dog handlers and kennel hands usually work in kennels or assist trainers, dog trainers and behaviourists work with all behavioural related issues and run classes, vet nurses can run puppy schools, and vet behaviourists give behavioural advice etc. Many people work with dogs, however, not all are equipped to handle major behaviour issues or to give advice on training.

Dog Training Isn’t Regulated

It’s very important to understand that anyone can call themselves a dog trainer or behaviourist. No laws are dictating what defines a dog trainer or a behaviourist. For example, most “trainers” I’ve met in Sydney have only done a short online course that’s not even all about dog training, just a small portion of it, don’t own their own dog and if they do don’t train them. Even more credited training, like Delta, is online training and seminars with no practical training for the students. Practical training is all up to the students to organise themselves. As the consumer, it is up to you to learn the difference and to research the professional before you hire them to work with you and your dog.
I always say that if you haven’t trained or raised your own dog (some trainers out there have only had family dogs as growing up. Not the same as raising one yourself!), how can you train others? I think a great trainer is always motivated to train their own dogs at a competition level, that’s my personal standard to trainers.
So let’s see what’s the difference between all these most common titles!

Dog Trainers

Dog trainers train dogs to perform specific tasks, behaviours and actions. They also train dogs not to do certain things. Some trainers will work with problem behaviours, some only offer basic training. Dog trainers understand canine behaviour and have the skills for different training techniques. They are solely focused on dogs, not on all animals.

When looking for a dog trainer, ask about their certificates, education and experience. Check out references as well, google reviews are a sign of openness.

Animal Behaviorists

Ok, so we need to remember that anyone can claim to be a behaviourist. However, technically speaking, professional behaviourists are called Applied Animal Behaviorists. They have had formal education and earned an MS, MA, or PhD in animal behaviour. They have studied and observed animal behaviour. Animal behaviourists focus on shaping behaviours in animals, they often work in Zoos, for example. They can recognize how and why your pet’s behaviour is abnormal, and can effectively teach you how to understand and work with your pet. Good behaviourists are experts in behaviour modification and also deeply understand the normal behavior of the particular species being treated. Also, they spend a lot of time counselling humans about the way they interact with their pets. They are not dog trainers but might be able to advise about training too. This depends on their studies and what they focused on. We must understand that they are animal behaviourist, they have studied different species, not just canines, so the knowledge on dogs and experience with them might lack compared to a dog trainer. They might have the knowledge but not the technical skills that dog training requires. It’s not all about knowing what to do, but to know how to do it!

Veterinary Behaviorists

Veterinary behaviourists also work in behaviour modification and deeply understand the behaviour of each species they treat. They are veterinarians who have gone on to specialize in behaviour. This generally means earning a bachelor’s degree, then attending four years of vet school. After becoming a DVM, the candidate must complete an internship, a residency in behaviour, author a scientific paper, write peer-reviewed case studies, and pass a rigorous examination. A veterinary behaviourist can prescribe medication, but will not always do so depending upon the case.

 

I myself am a dog trainer.

I have trained dogs for 12 years now. I studied face-to-face in a private dog training school for 6 months to earn my dog training diploma. Before that I had competed in obedience for 6 years, done agility, dog shows, tracking and trained my own reactive dog to stop reacting to other dogs. So I had a lot of experience in training before I even became a dog trainer. I used to be a part of 3 different training groups weekly, getting trained by professional dog trainers. That’s honestly been the most valuable learning experience for me! I have owned 4 dogs personally, not family dogs, raising them from a puppy to adulthood. I’ve watched every dog show out there and read countless books about dog training and canine psychology. I’ve been very self-driven to learn about dogs and feel very passionate about training!

 

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