Pet behaviour consultant

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly
• specialised training with a professional body

University

You could take a degree that includes the study of animal behaviour, though it is not essential. Relevant courses include:

• animal behaviour and welfare
• animal management
• zoology with animal behaviour

If you want to become a member of a recognised professional or industry body you should check their preferred degree subject requirements.

As well as your degree you would also need knowledge of different types of animals and animal breeds, and some experience of animal handling and training.

Postgraduate qualifications in subjects like animal welfare and behaviour or applied animal behaviour and welfare are also available.

Entry requirements:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You could take a course at college that would give you some of the skills and knowledge to start in an animal care role and work towards further qualifications in animal behaviour.

Relevant courses include:

• Level 2 Certificate in Animal Care - Companion Animals
• Level 3 Award in Practical Animal Care Skills
• Level 4 Diploma in Canine Welfare, Training and Behaviour

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You could gain some of the skills and knowledge needed for this job through an animal trainer higher apprenticeship.

With experience you may be able to take further training to become an animal behaviour consultant.

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Work

You could start out as an animal care assistant in:

• a dog kennels
• a vet's practice
• an animal rescue centre

With experience and the support of your employer, you may be able to train on the job to become a pet behaviour consultant.

Volunteering

Voluntary work with an animal welfare organisation, veterinary surgery or a pet rescue centre can be a useful way to get experience.

Look for opportunities with organisations like the:

• PDSA
• RSPCA
• Blue Cross
• Dogs Trust
• Guide Dog Academy

OtherRoutes

You can find specialist courses on animal behaviour with animal welfare and training organisations. It may help to work towards national standards or membership of a professional body like:

• Pet Education, Behaviour and Training Council
• The Kennel Club
• Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• knowledge of animal psychology
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to work on your own
• the ability teach pet owners new training and pet management techniques
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• customer service skills
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• the ability to work well with others
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to create the best conditions for learning or teaching new things
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• the ability to learn through your work
• administration skills
• knowledge of English language
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
• concentration skills
• the ability to work well with your hands

What you'll do:

Pet behaviour consultants help pet owners deal with animal behaviour problems.

On a typical day you might:

• take referrals from vets
• hold consultations in your own centre or in owners' homes
• talk to owners and observe their animals
• investigate the nature of the problems and likely causes
• create a training plan for individual animals
• check the animal's progress
• keep up to date with animal welfare regulations

Location : You could work at a client's home, in a therapy clinic or at a veterinary practice.
Environment : Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time and you'll travel often.

Salary:

Starter : variable
Experienced : variable

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 39 hours variable

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends as customers demand

Career Path:

With qualifications and experience you can apply to the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour for Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist status. This will allow you entry onto the Register of Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourists.

You could set up your own practice, move into teaching, or work in animal behaviour research.