Pet behaviour consultant

Career path and progression

With qualifications and experience, you can apply for Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist status. This recognises your skills and expertise and will allow you entry onto the Register of Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourists.

You could set up your own practice, work for an animal welfare organisation or get involved in animal behaviour research.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• knowledge of animal psychology
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to work on your own
• the ability to create the best conditions for learning or teaching new things
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• customer service skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to work well with others
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Biology - Pet behaviour consultants need a strong understanding of animal biology, including how the brain and nervous system influence behaviour. Knowledge of animal physiology helps them assess whether a behaviour problem might have a physical cause, such as pain or illness.
• Psychology - Pet behaviour consultants apply principles of animal psychology every day – understanding how animals learn, form habits, and respond to stress or fear. Concepts like conditioning, reinforcement, and motivation are central to diagnosing behaviour problems and designing effective training plans.

Also relevant

• Sociology - Pet behaviour consultants work closely with pet owners and need to understand how household dynamics, routines, and social environments affect an animal's behaviour. Thinking about how social structures and relationships shape behaviour – a core part of sociology – helps them advise families on making lasting changes.
• Environmental Science - Pet behaviour consultants consider how an animal's environment – including living space, outdoor access, and sensory stimulation – contributes to behaviour problems. Understanding how organisms interact with their surroundings helps them recommend changes that improve an animal's welfare.
• English Language - Pet behaviour consultants spend a lot of time communicating with pet owners, explaining complex behavioural concepts in plain language, and writing detailed training plans and reports. Being able to communicate clearly and persuasively is essential for getting owners to follow through on advice.
• Business - Pet behaviour consultants often set up their own practice or work as self-employed consultants. Understanding how to manage finances, market services, handle client relationships, and run a small business is important for building a successful career.
• Chemistry - Pet behaviour consultants benefit from understanding how hormones and neurotransmitters – such as cortisol, serotonin, and adrenaline – influence animal behaviour and stress responses. This chemical knowledge helps them understand why certain behaviours occur and when a veterinary referral might be needed.