All veterinary behaviorists are capable of being trainers, but trainers do not have the medical background or the depth and breadth of knowledge of a veterinary behaviorist.

Perhaps the best way to understand the difference is to make a rough comparison: trainers are like school teachers. They mostly deal with normal students. While they can recognize abnormal behavior, unless they have the education to teach special-needs children, good teachers serve their students best by referring them to a child psychologist or another qualified professional. They don't try to impress the child's parents; they think of the child's best interest first and pass the torch on.

So what about veterinary behaviorists?

Veterinary behaviorists, because they understand how animals learn, can also train them effectively. However, since good trainers are out there, we really try to concentrate on helping animals with behavioral disorders, that is, behaviors that are not normal for the species and that are not the result of a training deficiency.

Making another rough comparison, veterinary behaviorists combine the equivalent skills and knowledge of a human psychologist and a psychiatrist. Rather than holding one approach to be above or better than the other, we use a combination of both for a synergistic effect.

Our Methods

They are many myths as to why animals do the things they do. Even long held beliefs may eventually be proved wrong. Veterinary behaviorists keep abreast of the latest information and advances in learning, training and behavior disorders. As doctors, we are always building on and advancing our knowledge.

Animals can be taught without resorting to intimidation or methods that inflict pain, fear or rely on force and abuse. While any of these "get results," the question you should ask yourself is, if you were the student, would you like to be taught and treated that way? And if you were, how would that affect your relationship with your teacher and your desire to learn? As a teacher, would you rather have a happy and willing student or one that "respects" you out of fear?

In all social groups there must be rules; someone must make the decisions or there will be chaos. However, there is a difference between being a violent or erratic dictator and a consistent and fair mentor. The first is feared and disliked, the second is followed happily. Both the rules and the way in which they are imparted make an ENORMOUS difference in the way in which learning takes place.

Pets with behavior disorders usually have problems with learning to start with; when hurt or frightened in an attempt to "make them behave" the problem usually gets worse. Methods that people typically use with normal pets fail or backfire with anxious or impulsive animals.