How are we different?

Just as human psychologists have graduate training in psychology, certified applied animal behaviorists (CAAB) have advanced graduate degrees in the science of animal behavior. Some CAABs are veterinarians who have completed a behavioral residency.

A CAAB is a certified professional with scientific training in animal behavior. A CAAB works with people and their pets to modify pet behavior that has become a concern for owners. CAABs diagnose the cause of a pet’s behavior problem, often in coordination with your veterinarian. A behavioral diagnosis is a critical analysis of your pet’s behavior using scientific principles.

We use critical thinking skills and education to determine the cause of your pet's problem; sometimes we must develop novel approaches to solutions. Individuals without extensive education and experience may guess incorrectly as to the cause of the problem and provide ineffective advice. Improper advice can delay or prevent resolution of the problem.

    Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists have:

  • Obtained an undergraduate degree, usually requiring 4 years, at an accreditated college or university.
  • Gained admission to an accredited graduate school or veterinary school through a highly competitive admission process.
  • Completed post-graduate education receiving a Master’s (2-year full time) or Ph.D.(4-year full time) degree in a behavioral science, or DVM or VMD degree with a behavioral residency.
  • Passed rigorous oral and written examinations given by their faculty committees.
  • Published articles in scientific journals.
  • Supervised hands-on experience with animals.
  • Met the course work and experience requirements for certification as set forth by the Animal Behavior Society.

To see the criteria for certification by the Animal Behavior Society, go to http://www.animalbehavior.org/Applied/Pamph3N-Jan2002.htm

The information CAABs provide is based on scientific principles of animal behavior, not just on personal experience and opinion.

Much of the information in the popular media is made up of “pop-psychology” explanations of animal behavior that are not valid. Your interaction with a CAAB will provide you with the most in-depth, up to date information available in the scientific literature.

For example - did you know that despite the misinformation in the popular literature that dogs are always striving to be the boss - for many thousands of years man has selectively bred dogs to be submissive, not dominant to people?

Most behavior problems with dogs have nothing to do with "dominance". In addition, CAABs do not "blame the owner" for the pet's behavior problems that can develop for a variety of reasons. Most owners have had previous dogs that did not exhibit behavior problems.

Cats can have differing motivation for behavior than dogs. Most CAABs work with the unique problems that your cat may exhibit.