How Do You Become A Dog Behaviorist?
Many animal-science careers, like dog behaviorist, are paraprofessional positions. To become a dog behaviorist entails a three-fold process: (1) training and experience; (2) education in behavioral science; and (3) practice in the art of behavioral-training techniques. Depending on a person’s rapport with dogs, amount of time spent with them, resources and other factors, a person can become fully trained and qualified as an dog behaviorist within two to five years. To be an animal trainer requires being comfortable around all animals. You should be able to hold and handle a dog, assess its general health and understand its normal behavior patterns. Learning skills, as opposed to book knowledge, comes with time and experience. A dog behaviorist may face aggressive “clients” that must be handled firmly without fear. Much of an animal’s aggression has to do communication. Karen Pryor, a noted animal behaviorist, states that most aggressive animals will “pull their punches.” Snarls and sna
