Dog Trainers vs Behaviorists

Okay, there are a lot of dog trainers online, and many claim to be something they are not. This blog is dedicated to clarifying the differences so you can make an informed decision. First, dear reader, please know there are no societal standards here in America that dictate who can and can’t call themselves a “dog trainer.” This means anybody can call themselves a dog trainer and start taking people’s money. While this is nice because there are no barriers to entry, it becomes a problem because the average person wont know who is skilled and who isn’t. This is why, me, as a dog trainer, relies very heavily on my Google reviews to let people know I am legit.

Behaviorists have PHD’s, or they should have a PHD in order to call themselves a behaviorist. The full name of this paticular study is Applied Behavioral Analysis. For my fellow Alaskans, there is one Behaviorist in the area that I know of and that’s Mandy Seymor. She (at the time of this writing) works at the VCA vet clinic off of Lake Otis. She is a Veterinary Behaviorist. This means she has a PHD in Applied Behavior Analysis and Veterinary Medicine (aka, dog bad-assery). Please, please, please be vary wary of any dog professional who calls themselves a Behaviorist that does not have a PHD. This means they are either ignorant of the words meaning in this industry, or they are deliberately trying to show themselves to have more experience than they do. Either way, don’t give them your money.

There are “Behavioral Consultant” certifications available on line and associated with accreditied universities. These are fantastic (usually), and gives anyone with the time and money an extra boost of knowledge and experience from the average “Dog Trainer.” Usually, the title of Behavioral Consultant comes with these certification programs. I am a humble dog trainer with no PHDs or certifications. My knowlege of behavior comes from class work during my Bachelor Degree when I went to college. I have completed a full semester class in Animal Behvaior Class, which is Applied Behavioral Analysis as it applies to animals. I have also completed a full semester class in the Phychology of Learning , which is Applied Behavior Analysis as it applies to humans. Both have served me well while working with dogs and their humans, and proved a solid foundation in which to work from.

Hope this knowledge finds you well.

Have a Barking Good Day!!