In the UK, dog training and behaviour work aren't regulated. Anyone can call themselves a trainer or behaviourist, whatever their training or methods. Checking a public register is the simplest way to know someone has been assessed against a recognised standard.
The Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC)
The ABTC sets standards for people who train animals or treat behaviour problems, and keeps a public register of practitioners who meet them. People usually join the register through a member organisation that has assessed them.
The register lists people by role. These are the ABTC's role names, in roughly increasing order of qualification:
- Animal Trainer: trains animals directly.
- Animal Training Instructor: teaches owners to train their own dogs, in classes or 1:1.
- Animal Behaviour Technician: helps owners carry out behaviour change work.
- Accredited Animal Behaviourist: assesses and treats behaviour problems, often on vet referral.
- Clinical Animal Behaviourist: works with complex behaviour cases and holds higher-level qualifications.
- Veterinary Behaviourist: a Clinical Animal Behaviourist who is also a registered vet.
For problems like aggression or severe anxiety, look for an Accredited Animal Behaviourist, Clinical Animal Behaviourist or Veterinary Behaviourist. For training and puppy classes, an Animal Training Instructor is a good fit.
How to check someone in five minutes
- Get their full name and business name.
- Go to the ABTC's find-a-practitioner directory.
- Search for their name. Check the role matches what they offer. An Animal Training Instructor isn't accredited to treat behaviour problems as an Accredited Animal Behaviourist is.
- Ask which member organisation they belong to. It should match the register.
- If you can't find them, ask them for a link to their register entry. A genuine practitioner will be happy to share it.
How we use registers
Professionals join Calmer Dog by applying to us. We only list them once we've found them on the ABTC register. Each listing links to their register entry and shows the date we checked it. Registers change, so it's worth checking again yourself before you book.
Other good signs
- They use reward-based methods and can explain their plan in plain English.
- They ask about your dog's health and suggest a vet check when it's relevant.
- They don't promise guaranteed or overnight results.
- They hold insurance and give clear prices up front.