What is a Behavior Consultant?

The DogNostics Diploma offers modules that, we believe, complement a comprehensive Dog Training Certificate and support a Certified Dog Trainer's knowledge and skills at the highest level. 

A Behavior Consultant is a professional who works directly with pet owners to modify problematic behaviors, especially those rooted in the animal's emotional state (such as fear, anxiety, or reactivity).

Based on the DogNostics definition, here is a breakdown of the Behavior Consultant's role, competencies, and ethical boundaries:

🐕 Role and Focus

• Primary Focus: Undertaking private consultations to focus primarily on modifying behavior problems elicited by the animal’s emotional state (e.g., fear, anxiety, aggression, etc.).
• Secondary Competencies: They are often professional dog trainers who are also competent in teaching standard pet skills, including:
  • Pet manners classes and obedience classes.
  • Day training and private training sessions.
  • Board and train programs focused on general skills and manners.

⚕️ Ethical and Professional Boundaries

The Behavior Consultant operates with strict ethical boundaries, recognizing their limitations regarding medical issues:

• No Diagnosis or Prescription: They are not authorized to diagnose illness (physical or mental) or prescribe psychotropic or any other kind of medication.
• Ethical Responsibility: It is considered unethical for a Behavior Consultant to engage in any discussion regarding the diagnosis or treatment of an illness.
• Mandatory Referral: They must be aware of their limitations and ethically responsible to refer cases that require medical intervention or pharmacological expertise to a:
  • Veterinarian
• Board-Certified Veterinary Behaviorist (who holds the necessary license and qualifications to diagnose and treat medical conditions).
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In short, a Behavior Consultant is an advanced trainer specializing in emotionally driven behavior modification, but their practice is strictly separate from veterinary medicine and diagnostics.