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Even though anyone can claim to be a behaviorist, most people in the field have at least a master’s degree and often a doctorate in animal behavior, psychology, or zoology, with an emphasis on animal behavior. Some behaviorists are veterinarians with specialties in behavior. On top of an education, behaviorists ideally have experience working with the types of animals that they plan to treat.

Portrait of a Behaviorist

John Wright’s road to a career as an applied animal behaviorist began during his junior year in college when he enrolled in an experimental psychology course in animal learning. Wright (pictured with Rosemary) and his classmates did a study that ended up being published in a psychology journal—a real feat for undergraduates. He went on to graduate school, doing research in behavior genetics, and became interested in dogs and cats. A dissertation on puppy social behavior, followed by five years of research conducted with his students at Berea College, formed the basis for his entrée into the then-new field of applied animal behavior in 1979. As many friends and colleagues requested his help in resolving problem behaviors in their dogs and cats, Wright refocused his efforts to two new areas: dealing with solutions to pet behavior problems and identifying risk factors associated with dog and cat bites.

“I wanted to change my focus on animal behavior from basic research to applied research and practice. Could an experimental psychologist, formally educated and experienced in the science of animal behavior, apply that knowledge to help straighten out problem pets?”

The answer was yes. Wright has since then been involved in developing a behavioral test for assessing the likelihood that a dog will exhibit aggressive behavior and has conducted workshops on its use. He offers seminars on dog and cat behavior and has a successful house-call practice in the Atlanta area.

That said, some people who call themselves behaviorists have no formal education and are competent and well suited to the work. Others may have strings of letters behind their names but still have no real skills at solving animal behavior problems.

While educational credentials are useful and, to an extent, expected of a behaviorist, a college degree is not absolutely necessary. Nonetheless, being able to look at an animal’s behavior not only through the lens of your personal understanding but also with an understanding of the science of animal behavior will give you an advantage in assessing and solving behavior problems. A good behaviorist also has the ability to integrate animal behavior with principles of learning and brain–body mechanisms—essentially, what happens in the brain to set the behavior in motion. To help animals with emotional disorders, all of these areas must be understood and evaluated.

Behaviorists can gain professional certification in several ways. Veterinarians can specialize in behavior (see chapter 9). Non-veterinarians can seek certification in the field of applied animal behavior. Applied animal behaviorists are knowledgeable about the behavioral problems and training of companion animals and have demonstrated expertise in the principles of animal behavior, research methods, and application of animal behavior principles to behavior problems.

Certified applied animal behaviorist Mary Burch prepares for an author signing in New York to promote her book Citizen Canine (Kennel Club Books, 2010), an official AKC training publication.

Behavior Analyst to Animal Behaviorist

Mary Burch already had a PhD in psychology and was a board-certified behavior analyst for people when she decided to make a positive difference for dogs. While in New York City for a psychology conference, Burch wandered into the American Kennel Club unannounced and asked to speak to the person in charge of training. She met with Jim Dearinger, who was trying to start the Canine Good Citizen program.” He said I was very smart, talented, and enthusiastic, and he asked me if I would go home and work to promote the program,” Burch says.

“At the time, I thought I had been chosen because I was special. Only later did I find out that Jim was asking every single person he could find to help build the CGC program. As a community volunteer, I took CGC to 4-H groups. I wrote articles about the concept for dog magazines, and in 1991, I worked to get the first Canine Good Citizen resolution in the country passed by the Florida legislature.”

Mary Burch with her dog, Ch. Noel’s Wynn Wyn Situation, UD, OA, AXJ, CGC

Burch, also a certified applied animal behaviorist, is director of the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen and S.T.A.R. Puppy programs. The programs teach good manners to dogs and responsible dog ownership. A favorite memory of hers is of the ninety-four-year-old woman who took the CGC test with her sixteen-year-old Dachshund. When they passed the test, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

The Animal Behavior Society (ABS) offers two levels of certification as an animal behaviorist, depending on the candidate’s education and experience. The first level, associate applied animal behaviorist, requires a master’s degree in a biological or behavioral science with an emphasis on animal behavior; at least two years of professional experience, including independent studies, data analysis, and professional writing; and at least three written recommendations from ABS members.

In order to become a certified applied animal behaviorist, applicants must have a doctorate in a biological or behavioral science with an emphasis on animal behavior; have five years of professional experience; be able to demonstrate original contributions or interpretations of animal behavior information through published work; show significant work experience with a particular species as a researcher, research assistant, or intern; and have at least three written recommendations from ABS members. Once certified, the behaviorists must maintain and provide proof of liability insurance.