I am thinking of embarking on a three year degree studying animal behaviour and management and was just wondering if there is much need for these jobs.  I am interested and always have been on particularly dog behaviour and would love to have a career in it but am not sure how much requirement there is?

If anyone has done this degree or knows anything about the need for behaviourists I would love to hear from you.

http://www.apbc.org.uk/career.htm

maybe the APBC is the best source for this information?

Can't say anything about this particular degree but can say that IMO I think there will be an on-going need for behaviourists.

As a society, we have put some very un-natural restrictions on our dogs, they have far less freedom to do what comes naturally than they used to.  More traffic on the roads and our use of cars instead of walking has curtailed the dogs' social life.  So have irresponsible owners who do not clean up after their dogs - thus local bye laws have become tighter and more plentiful.  As people, we seem to expect far more of our dogs and yet conversely have given them a far more pampered and privileged lifestyle than in the past.  This all spells bad news for our dogs and the problem behaviour which is has emerged over the past few years is likely to continue unles people start treating dogs like dogs and allowing them to be just that - dogs.

Very true, Suzieque.

Trisha,

Can't help on the course info, except to wish you luck, but I'd love to know how Scooby is doing?  The last I heard, he's been diagnosed and was starting steroids- how did it go, has he gained any weight yet?

Let me know, I do think about him.

Cheers  Ali :)

Could not agree more; unfortunately unlike the dim and distant past many people have not grown up with animals and have little understanding of basic animal husbandry; that, combined with buying a dog that does not suit either their experience, lifestyle, temperament or knowledge can be a lethal combination.

Many of the situations brought up on this and many other forums have arisen because owners have not put in preventive measures which could have avoided the "problem" and therefore end up firefighting. 

The need for behaviourists is less to do with "worse" dogs per se IMHO but the novice owner.  Experienced, skilled and knowledgeable dog owners may very rarely need a behaviourist because they are familiar with dog behaviour and allow just what suzieque has said, for dogs to be dogs. 

A lot of behavioural 'problems' arise, IMO, because people don't know what a normal dog is like. What they perceive to be a problem is in fact normal behaviour, and it is when this is prevented that true problems arise. As you say, tohme, many people haven't grown up with them, and expect them to behave similarly to cats (yes, really :rolleyes: ), or as children-in-fur-coats.

Couldnt agree more JG- how many times have we heard owners say their new pup is aggressive and "going " for them when in fact its all normal puppy behavior and called "mouthing" . Yes the mouthing has to be controlled and the pup has to learn but its not aggressiveness on the part of the dog :rolleyes:

Thanks for all your advice - will keep you posted.  Trying to get some funding for it now so could take some time.

Perhaps what we need is more human behaviourists to teach people how to behave around animals
:-D Just seen a BC puppy through the window being encouraged to chase a boy on a bicycle..next thing is the poor dog will be in trouble for doing this..mmm think I will go and poke my nose in yet again!!

Please do it because there are tons of people out there (like me!) that just need help.  All my (excessive :D) experience with behaviourists has been extremely positive so please go for it.  I for one could do with your help :D

CG

I dont think dogs need behaviorist/therapists. Dogs do what dogs have done for years. Its people that need the behaviorist/therapist. Some people are that bad at dog handling that I think they should have cats instead.
Just my humble opinion though.
Mick

I was always told by a very good trainer that if you can't take the time to train your dog properly get a budgie and teach it to swear!! :0)

The problem is jumbuck those types wouldnt be any good at swearing either.
Mick

To be quite hones Trish the amount of those electric collars which seem to becoming popular I dont think anyone will spend money on behaviourists anymore.
I did not see one last year it was all behaviourists and now I seem to bump into a new one quite often.

well, if it were me, i would try a behaviorist long before i ever tried an electric colar!!!

I myself am just undertaking dog behaviour courses to hopefully become one one day.  I agree exactly with what Mick says though 99% of the time it is the people that need training.  Luckily the trainer that I currently help out with is that like minded as well so I have learnt alot and still am doing so.  Luckily I am quite a people person as well currently working as a conveyancer so hopefully this will stand me in good stead in dealing with people in the best way to get the best for the dog.  Maybe there should be reward based training for people!

Claire

Good luck with your course Claire  :-D when you have finished come on here and tell us all how its done!!