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Pet behaviour consultant

Alternative titles for this job include Pet behaviour counsellor

Pet behaviour consultants help pet owners deal with animal behaviour problems.

Average salary (a year)

Variable

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 39 variable

You could work

evenings / weekends as customers demand

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Pet behaviour consultant

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly
  • specialised training with a professional body

University

You could take a degree that includes the study of animal behaviour, though it is not essential. Relevant courses include:

  • animal behaviour and welfare
  • animal management
  • zoology with animal behaviour

If you want to become a member of a recognised professional or industry body you should check their preferred degree subject requirements.

As well as your degree you would also need knowledge of different types of animals and animal breeds, and some experience of animal handling and training.

Postgraduate qualifications in subjects like animal welfare and behaviour or applied animal behaviour and welfare are also available.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

College

You could take a course at college that would give you some of the skills and knowledge to start in an animal care role and work towards further qualifications in animal behaviour.

Relevant courses include:

  • Level 2 Certificate in Animal Care - Companion Animals
  • Level 3 Award in Practical Animal Care Skills
  • Level 4 Diploma in Canine Welfare, Training and Behaviour

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could gain some of the skills and knowledge needed for this job through an animal trainer higher apprenticeship.

With experience you may be able to take further training to become an animal behaviour consultant.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could start out as an animal care assistant in:

  • a dog kennels
  • a vet's practice
  • an animal rescue centre

With experience and the support of your employer, you may be able to train on the job to become a pet behaviour consultant.

Volunteering

Voluntary work with an animal welfare organisation, veterinary surgery or a pet rescue centre can be a useful way to get experience.

Look for opportunities with organisations like the:

Other Routes

You can find specialist courses on animal behaviour with animal welfare and training organisations. It may help to work towards national standards or membership of a professional body like:

More Information

Further information

You can get more advice about working in pet behaviour through the:

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of psychology
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to work on your own
  • the ability to teach pupils how to do something
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

On a typical day you might:

  • take referrals from vets
  • hold consultations in your own centre or in owners' homes
  • talk to owners and observe their animals
  • investigate the nature of the problems and likely causes
  • create a training plan for individual animals
  • check the animal's progress
  • keep up to date with animal welfare regulations

Working environment

You could work at a client's home, in a therapy clinic or at a veterinary practice.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time and you'll travel often.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With qualifications and experience you can apply to the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour for Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist status. This will allow you entry onto the Register of Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourists.

You could set up your own practice, move into teaching, or work in animal behaviour research.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a Pet behaviour consultant right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Animal Welfare and Behaviour HNC

  • Provider: LANCASTER AND MORECAMBE COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Lancaster

HND Animal Management (Behaviour and Welfare)

  • Provider: HEART OF YORKSHIRE EDUCATION GROUP
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Wakefield

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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