It takes a village to care for a happy and healthy dog! Outside your immediate family who live with your pup day in and day out, you'll have many partners who will help you on your journey as a dog owner.
These include your veterinarian, who provides long-term care; dog sitters and daycare workers who keep your pup occupied while you're out; and more. However, the partners who often have the most impact on your dog's life are trainers and behaviorists.
Dog trainers and canine behaviorists can work wonders to help your pup become a well-rounded and well-behaved dog. They apply their many years of training and experience to help your furry friend reach their full potential.
While you may not always need a trainer or behaviorist, these professionals can come to the rescue when dealing with unique challenges you're struggling to resolve alone. They're a lifeline that can help your dog be the best pet they can be.
But there's just one question that many dog owners face when needing professional help: Do I go to a dog trainer or a behaviorist?
Trainers and behaviorists share a common goal, but their missions and approaches differ greatly. To help you understand what professional services to seek, we're going to break down how trainers and behaviorists differ, empowering you to make the right decision for your dog.
What Is a Dog Trainer?
Let's start with the profession that most people are familiar with: Dog trainers.
As the name implies, these experts train your dog to obey commands and perform specific actions. They can also teach your dog to avoid certain behaviors.
It's a trainer's job to educate both canines and their owners. Trainers work with dogs to help them understand commands and proper behavior, enabling them to coexist harmoniously with humans.
Meanwhile, trainers work with owners to teach them commands and techniques that their dogs understand, making it easy to enforce rules and solidify the training in the long term.
Types of Dog Trainers
Many use the term "dog trainer" to refer to any professional who knows how to teach dogs commands and behaviors. However, it's an umbrella term. The truth is that there are many different types of trainers you can work with, and not every expert will provide the desired results.
When considering hiring a trainer, it's essential to consider your dog's needs and your specific goals. Trainers can specialize in many areas, including:
•Obedience Training:
Obedience trainers focus on the basics. They teach dogs how to follow commands like "sit" and "stay." Trainers can also help dogs learn how to respond to owner calls and directives, ensuring they can stay safe in any situation.
•Positive Reinforcement
Training: Positive reinforcement training involves rewarding positive behaviors with treats and attention. It's one of the most effective forms of training available, teaching dogs to repeat desired behaviors while strengthening the bond between the dog and its owner.
•Agility Training:
Agility training is highly specialized and is often reserved for dogs that will one day compete in shows. Trainers help dogs develop their physical and mental skills, teaching canines how to successfully navigate complex obstacle courses while reaching their full performance potential.
•Click Training:
Click training is a subset of positive reinforcement training. However, rather than relying solely on treats and praise, trainers use a clicker device to communicate with dogs audibly. The clicker signals that a dog properly executed a command, indicating a job well done.
•Relationship-Based Training:
Trainers who specialize in canine/human relationships work to build a strong bond between dogs and owners. They emphasize communication, helping owners build trust.
•Puppy Training:
Puppy trainers focus their attention on younger canines, helping with basic commands, housebreaking, and more.
Related: 5 Essential Puppy Training Commands Every Pup Should Learn First
Dog Trainer Credentials
In the United States, dog trainers aren't required to hold official certifications or licenses. As a result, anyone can call themselves a trainer. As an owner, it's up to you to do your due diligence and choose a professional with proven experience and skills.
Fortunately, serious dog trainers will go the extra mile to prove their legitimacy. There are several certifications that trainers can get after completing their education. These include official certifications from organizations like:
When Should You Seek a Dog Trainer?
Generally, it's best to contact a dog trainer instead of a behaviorist when tackling issues that are interfering with your pup's ability to behave correctly.
For instance, trainers can help when your dog doesn't understand commands, has frequent accidents inside your home, or exhibits unwanted behaviors like excessive barking, leash pulling, etc. These problems are relatively minor, and skilled trainers can solve them surprisingly quickly.
Many dog owners also seek professional help from trainers whenever they lack the time or skills to train a dog alone. If you've never had to train a dog before, professionals can make the process much easier. They can help teach you and your dog, ensuring success for both of you.
Time, Costs, and Other Factors to Consider
Dog trainers typically don't work with your dog long-term. Depending on the types of sessions you get, you may only work with a trainer for a couple of months.
Trainers offer services on a one-on-one basis and through group sessions. During group sessions, you'll work alongside other dogs and owners. Because there isn't much direct attention, it may take longer for your pup to learn what they need to know.
Most group sessions last around eight weeks. Private sessions are quicker. Your trainer can work directly with your dog, providing personalized attention and applying individualized methods. Therefore, personal sessions typically last only a couple of weeks.
Costs will vary, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $50 a class to several hundred dollars per private session.
What Is a Canine Behaviorist?
A canine behaviorist can do many of the same things that a trainer does, but their focus lies on the psychological side of things.
Many like to assume that dogs are carefree, happy-go-lucky creatures. However, they are complex, and many problems stem from deeper issues.
It's a behaviorist's job to understand and address deep-rooted behavioral problems in dogs, helping canines overcome them to live happier and more productive lives.
These professionals focus on the "why." They work to understand your dog's behaviors by taking a psychological approach. Once they know the triggers that cause your dog to behave the way they do, they can employ behavioral modification techniques to change them.
Types of Canine Behaviorists
Like dog trainers, behaviorists can focus on many different aspects of canine psychology. They can focus on specific areas of expertise. Therefore, it's essential to conduct thorough research and hire a professional who can address your dog's unique needs.
Some areas of expertise behaviorists can focus on include the following:
•Socialization:
Behaviorists can focus on socialization and training, helping dogs develop relationships with humans and other pets. They teach dogs and owners how to interact, making it easy to form trusting bonds.
•Problem Behaviors:
Behaviorists who specialize in problem behaviors work to identify and address issues like aggression, destruction, excessive barking, and more.
•Emotional or Psychological Issues:
Dogs can suffer from emotional issues like depression, anxiety, phobias, etc. Behaviorists get to the root of the problem, helping dogs live happier and healthier lives.
•Behaviorial Interpretation:
Behaviorists can work with owners to understand why dogs behave the way they do. They can help you gain more insight into your pup's personality, deciphering both positive and negative traits.
What Techniques Do Behaviorists Employ?
Trainers can use many methods to teach your dog commands. Behaviorists work similarly, adopting unique behavioral modification techniques to achieve results. Some popular approaches include:
•Positive Reinforcement: Behaviorists use positive reinforcement like trainers do, offering treats and praise whenever your pup exhibits desired behaviors.
•Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):
CBT is a technique that human therapists use to help people understand the connections between their emotions, behaviors, and thoughts. Canine behaviorists can apply the same methods to dogs, encouraging healthier behaviors.
•Desensitization:
Desensitization involves exposing dogs to applicable triggers and creating a more positive association.
•Counter-Conditioning:
This technique helps replace unwanted responses with more positive behaviors. Experts can teach your dog to react better when facing an undesirable trigger.
Canine Behaviorist Credentials
While behaviorists don't need official licensing to offer services, this profession does require more significant education than dog training. To become a behaviorist, individuals must obtain a graduate degree in a relevant field, such as psychology or zoology.
After receiving their degree, they can seek certification to become an Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (ACAAB).
After obtaining a doctoral degree in a relevant field and gaining enough professional experience as an ACAAB, behaviorists can seek additional certification to become a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB).
Both routes take years of study and real-world experience. Certification comes from the Animal Behavior Society.
When Should You Seek a Canine Behaviorist?
Think of a behaviorist as a pet psychologist.
While you would turn to a trainer when your dog needs help obeying commands and stopping unwanted behavior, a behaviorist can help you tackle more severe or deep-rooted issues.
They're there to address worrying behaviors that may affect your life and your dog's well-being. Be it anxiety or aggression, behaviorists are better equipped to facilitate behavior modification.
A behaviorist goes through years of training to serve dogs and owners like you. They work more closely with pups and spend significant time coaching owners on how to interact with their furry friends.
Time, Costs and Other Factors
Always work with certified behaviorists. A behaviorist will typically charge significantly more than a trainer to work with your dog, so you must do your due diligence and consult a reputable professional.
Generally, behaviorists work with dogs one-on-one. Sessions also last longer, with professionals spending months helping dogs overcome their issues. It's also costlier to work with behaviorists.
The amount these experts charge varies based on many factors, but you can expect to spend several hundred dollars per session.
Are There Any "Hybrid" Dog Experts?
If your dog's needs are more complex, you can turn to "hybrid" canine professionals. Many behaviorists obtain additional credentials to work as trainers, and some trainers are also behaviorists. Every professional's capabilities are different. Don't be afraid to ask for certifications, references, and other proof of expertise.
Another option is to turn to veterinarian behaviorists. These experts are trained and licensed veterinarians who specialize in canine behavior.
After becoming a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, individuals seek additional training, research, and residencies to become veterinarian behaviorists. They must undergo rigorous education and pass additional examinations to earn certification from the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists.
Understanding Which Professional Will Provide Better Results for Your Dog
Ultimately, the right choice for your dog will depend on their individual needs. Dog trainers can help with more basic issues. They're there to help dogs understand commands, stave off unwanted behaviors, and reach their full potential.
Meanwhile, trainers also work with owners to ensure they're equipped to form a strong bond while enforcing their pup's training.
Behaviorists focus on deeper issues. They work hard to understand the origins of your dog's unwanted behavior, using more advanced techniques to modify it. Behaviorists prioritize your dog's mental and emotional well-being, providing them with the tools to live a significantly better life with you.
Both trainers and behaviorists can significantly impact your dog's life. The key is matching the professional to what your dog needs. Don't hesitate to consult your vet. Speak up about the issues you face. Veterinarians can guide you in the right direction, and many can recommend trainers or behaviorists you can trust.
At the end of the day, all owners want is to help their dogs live happy and healthy lives. Trainers and behaviorists can do just that. There's nothing wrong with seeking outside help, and the issues you face don't mean there's anything wrong with you or your dog. Owning a dog can be tough, but professionals are there to make things easy and enjoyable for you and your pooch.
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