Dog Behaviourist/Companion Animal Behaviour Counselor

If your pooch is behaving badly, say, destroying your home, who are you gonna call? A dog behaviourist! These canine psychologists and therapists can help with issues such as separation anxiety and aggression. A board-certified behaviourist has studied applied canine behaviour and must meet the requirements of either an independent certifying board or an approved veterinary school. Behaviorists are experts in behaviour modification and can teach you how to understand and work with your pup. With additional formal education, they can be certified as an Applied Animal Behaviourist. A skilled behaviourist can help transform your monster mutt into a perfect pooch.

Shari Forst, age 53, Co-owner, Canine Case Squad

I got started in my early 20s. I took my puppy to obedience school, loved it, and started my apprenticeship there. Eight hours a day for over a year I cleaned kennels, fed, and cared for about ten dogs at any given time. And I did obedience training, either at the school or at a client’s home. At the time, my husband and I had two German Shepherds who were well-trained since puppyhood but they started fighting in the house. Neither of us understood animal psychology so we tried to work with a behaviourist in Florida but it was far away; Prozac and muzzling were recommended and we didn’t want that. Instead we wanted a behaviour modification program and found a man who was a certified dog trainer and had a PhD in animal behaviour. He urged us to take some canine psychology classes—which took three intense years.

Now I am a Board Certified Companion Animal Behavior Counselor, and certified with the American Foundation for Animal Rescue in the area of Dog Training and Instructor Skills. I also teach classes in applied canine behaviour on staff as a behaviourist for the local Humane Society and I’ve testified as an expert witness.

After getting certified in 2007, I called all the veterinarians in Orange County asking for a meeting but most of them weren’t interested. I didn’t take ‘no’ for an answer. With my (now) well-behaved dogs I talked to staff at vet clinics and one vet agreed to talk after I explained the difference between a dog trainer and behaviourist. I got a few referrals and word spread. We also get referrals from trainers who can’t deal with aggression. Today we have hundreds of clients including some from other states and even from Canada.