What is the difference between a dog trainer and a behaviorist?
Anyone can call himself or herself a Dog Trainer or a Behaviorist. There are currently no State or Federal laws that require a Dog Trainer or a Behaviorist to have any special license or education. An Animal Behaviorist is usually someone who has attended an accredited University, completing the education with a degree, generally a Master’s or PhD in an animal related field. For example, veterinarians and people with degrees in agriculture, biology and zoology study animal behavior. Many animal behaviorists also have degrees in some form of psychology. The study of animal behavior may require knowledge of several disciplines, including psychology, biology, ecology, genetics, and zoology. Most Animal Behaviorists teach and/or do independent research at colleges and universities. Many have academic appointments in biology, zoology, psychology departments, or in medical or veterinary colleges. Others are employed in departments of anthropology, sociology, neurobiology, animal science, wil
