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 won’t know who is skilled and who isn’t. This is why I, as a dog trainer, rely very heavily on my Google reviews to let people know that I’m legit.

Behaviorists have PHD’s, or they should have a PHD, in order to call themselves a behaviorist. The full name of this particular study is Applied Behavioral Analysis. For my fellow Alaskans, there is only one Behaviorist in the area that I’m aware 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 very wary of any dog professionals who call themselves “Behaviorists” who do not have a PHD. This means they are either ignorant of the word’s meaning in this industry, or they are deliberately trying to show themselves as having more experience than they do. Either way, don’t give them your money.

There are “Behavioral Consultant” certifications available online and associated with accredited universities. These are fantastic (usually), and they give anyone with the time and money an extra boost of knowledge and experience above and beyond 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 knowledge of behavior comes from classwork completed during my Bachelor’s Degree while attending college. I have completed a full semester in Animal Behavior Class, which is Applied Behavioral Analysis as it applies to animals. I have also completed a full semester class in the Psychology 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 from which to work.

I hope this knowledge finds you well.

Have a Barking Good Day!!