Dog Training Questions And Answers : Dog Trainers And Dog Behaviorists

Phoenix Dog Trainer Questions And Answers

Is There A Difference Between Dog Trainers And Dog Behaviorists?

Q: What is an Animal Behaviorist / Dog Behaviorist?

A: The term “Behaviorist” is misused in many situations. Some professionals refer to themselves as behaviorists but they are using the term inappropriately. Professionals without an upper level degree that specializes in behavior should rightly be classified as counselors. An Animal Behaviorist has upper level degrees (MS or PhD.) In most cases this is over six to eight years of formal education specializing in psychology, ethology, biology, zoology, endocrinology, neurobiology, physical anatomy, canine physiology and kinesthetics, advanced training in the normal and abnormal behaviors of animals, the underlying disease states that may contribute to behavioral changes, the psychology of learning and in therapeutic behavioral medicines. An Animal Behaviorist can evaluate a pet’s behavioral problems, can work with your pet’s Veterinarian to help potentially diagnose medical problems that may be contributing to these behavioral problems and can recommend therapeutic medicines that may benefit these animals.

Q: What is the difference between an Animal Behaviorist / Dog Behaviorist like you and a Veterinarian Behaviorist?

A: Veterinarian Behaviorists have nothing to do with any actual training of dogs. A Veterinarian who has a specialty in Behavioral Medicine concerns themselves primarily with medicine, and has only as little as one year of behavioral training with the emphasis on psychotropic medicines. This is also a very new field in its infancy that has only been around for as little as 3 years. On the other hand, An Applied Clinical Animal Behaviorist, like those employed by TLC K9 Academy have had much more extensive education and training that takes at least 6 to 8 years in ALL aspects of behavior, not just behavioral medicine. The Profession of Applied Clinical Animal Behaviorists is not a new field. This type of real behaviorist has been around for many decades, and is considered THE definitive choice for expert behavioral help, treatment and advice for you and your pet. TLC K9 Academy Behaviorists are also Master Certified Dog Trainers with many additional years of education, training, and experience, giving you and your pet the absolute best of both worlds.

Q: Are behavioral problems simply dog training issues?

A: There are some pets that would benefit largely from some simple training, but many behavior problems require much more than that. Dog Trainers are not Dog Behaviorists /Animal Behaviorists with Advanced Training and Upper Level Degrees, (MS or PhD.) Animals, like people can develop a number of fears, anxieties, phobias, obsessive compulsive behaviors and many types of aggression that require an in-depth history and actual behavioral modifications (not training) to help resolve them. Sometimes trainers will employ aversive or punishment methods in attempts at resolving some of these behavioral problems which may actually aggravate the problem further. Training can however be an integral part of behavioral modifications, and often a good trainer will be employed or recommended to help the owner work with behavior modification techniques once they have been prescribed and explained in the initial consult. Many trainers wrongly call themselves a behaviorist without the proper training and are really just simple dog trainers who often make serious mistakes with your pet’s well being and with your pet’s behavior. Bill Glatzel is a Clinical Applied Animal Behaviorist and specialist in difficult and severe behavioral problems in pets, such as fears, anxieties, phobias, obsessive compulsive behaviors along with various types and severity levels of aggression.

Q: What is behavior modification?

A: Behavior modification techniques are used to alter an animal’s behaviors and reactions to stimuli using both operant and classical conditioning techniques. The most common employed techniques include systematic desensitization; counter conditioning, reinforcement of more appropriate behaviors and extinction.

For more information on dog behavior problems or information on Phoenix dog trainers, dog training in Arizona, or for specific information on severe dog aggression, severe anxiety disorders and other abnormal dog behaviors please contact TLC K9 ACADEMY on the web at http://www.tlck9academy.com or by phone toll free 888-502-DOGS (3647). If you are local and looking for Phoenix dog training, or a Phoenix dog trainer, you can call 480-502-DOGS (3647).

About the author: Bill Glatzel is a Master Certified Dog Trainer, and Professional Animal Behaviorist with over 33 years of experience , specializing in severe dog behavior disorders and behavior medicine in small animals. Bill is also the CEO and Founder of TLC K9 ACADEMY a nationwide dog training company headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, and Scottsdale Dog Training located in Scottsdale, AZ. Bill is often called in as a media expert and legal consultant on severe dog aggression. He also runs an International School for Dog Trainers in Phoenix Arizona. Bill Enjoys working with dogs deemed ‘untreatable,’ and lives with his pack of five dogs.

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