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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How can ABC help me?
In the treatment of pet behaviour problems, it takes time to establish cause and develop treatment plans that are suitable to different owner’s circumstances. We are experienced and well-qualified clinical animal behaviourists, who, on the referral of veterinary surgeons, are able to offer the time and expertise necessary to achieve these objectives at an affordable cost.
What sort of problems can ABC help me with?
The range of behaviour problems exhibited in dogs, cats, horses and parrots is varied. It includes aggression, destructiveness, toileting problems, marking, spraying, self-mutilation, vocal behaviour, nervousness, car travel, livestock chasing, repetitive behaviour, and general control. We can offer help with these, as well as other behaviour problems exhibited in smaller companion animals, horses and birds.
how do I book an appointment?
Contact us for a no-obligations chat. After you have been referred by your veterinary surgeon, you can phone us on 0330 390 3866 to discuss the details and costs, or book online here. Your vet can make the referral online here.
Will neutering my pet cure their problem? Should we do this before the behaviour consultation?
This is something that you need to discuss with your vet. Sometimes vets advise that neutering can make the behaviour problem worse, so it would probably be best to wait at least until after the behaviour consultation even if you decide with them to go ahead with it.
Why should I choose ABC?
Currently, in the UK anyone can practise as a clinical animal behaviourist whether they have any qualifications and experience or not. However, there are moves afoot to put pressure on the government to regulate the profession, which may eventually be under the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). CCAB Certification Ltd independently assesses and maintains a register of clinical animal behaviourists working on veterinary referrals. The Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) is another body that aims to be an umbrella regulatory body for the sector. The Council is made up of several professional trade bodies, representing animal trainers and behaviourists to the public, including the Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians (FAB Clinicians). FAB Clinicians members are either independently accredited CCABs or are working towards this independent accreditation. They also need to follow a strict Code of Conduct and acquire regular CPD (Continuing Professional Development) each year.
All of our behaviourists are members of FAB Clinicians, which means they are either Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourists (CCABs), or are ABTC-registered Clinical Animal Behaviourists (CABs) working towards this independent accreditation with the required academic qualifications.
Exemplary feedback from our clients indicates they are appreciative of someone having the time to listen to them and to deal with their pets’ problems. ABC can offer a team with years of experience, well-qualified, empathic behaviourists and fantastic facilities. We are able to provide you with the tools and the time you need to develop thorough behaviour treatment plans that are suitable for your pet’s individual circumstances. We employ kind, reward-based techniques to resolve behaviour problems in a range of animal species.
why must I seek a referral from my vet? I'm sure my pet is perfecty healthy - what's the point?
A strong link between the veterinary surgeon and the animal behaviourist is essential in all cases. In order to rule out any physiological causes for the problem behaviour and in accordance with our professional trade bodies’ Code of Conduct, we only work on veterinary referral. Behavioural symptoms are often intertwined with some medical conditions. To provide a truly holistic solution to your problem, your vet needs to be involved at all stages of the process. The behaviourist will work closely with your vet, who often provides ongoing support from their end for various elements of the behaviour plan.
How much does it cost?
The total cost is dependent upon the species, the location of the consultation and who is your primary clinician. You can find out more here.
What do CCAB, VB and FABC mean?
CCAB stands for Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist. A CCAB is someone who has been independently assessed and accredited for their knowledge and experience in their stated species. CCABs have extensive knowledge, experience and are educated to degree level.
Some of our members are registered ‘Clinical Animal Behaviourists’ with the Animal Behaviour & Training Council and have the required academic qualifications (‘CCAB Pre-certification’), but they have not yet been through the practical assessment process to gain full CCAB accreditation.
VBs or Vet Behaviourists are both registered as veterinary surgeons and clinical animal behaviourists. These practitioners are best suited to provide advice for cases where an animal has medical conditions that may be influencing their behaviour.
FABC or FAB Clinicians stands for the ‘Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians’. This is a professional organisation representing practitioners who are CCABs, VBs and are working towards independent accreditation. All of our behaviourists are also members of FAB Clinicians.
Some of our practitioners may also be registered as Animal Training Instructors (ATIs) with the Animal Behaviour & Training Council – i.e. teaching animal training in group classes or one-to-one to pet caregivers.
When would I need to book a first aid call?
If you need urgent advice regarding your animal’s behaviour and cannot wait for a behaviour consultation, you should book a first aid call with one of our clinicians.
This hour is only intended to provide you with preventative, prophylactic management advice to help you and your pet cope until a full assessment can be made.
The triage call lasts 30-60 minutes. This allows the behaviourist to make a preliminary risk assessment, but we will not be able to assess the reasons behind the behaviour at this stage. This advice often includes simple changes around your home environment and describes a different way to approach your animal. This advice is only intended to be implemented as short term measures. It will not ‘fix’ the behaviour.
A summary of the outcome of your call will be sent to your referring vet, which you will be copied into. If you go on to book a full behaviour consultation, the measures will build into the complete behaviour plan.
Where can I find the terms and conditions of service?
Although you book a service with one of our clinicians through the ABC website, each clinician sets their own individual contracts or terms of service. Details of each clinician’s services and their terms can be found in each clinician’s details section of this website.
What happens during the consultation?
Consultations are held on an appointment basis, either at one of our regional clinics or in your own home. If possible, all family members involved should be present. A history of the problem will be taken, and your pet’s temperament will be assessed. After this, the behaviourist will explain the motivation for the behaviour and devise a treatment programme to help you modify your pet’s behaviour.
What happens after the consultation?
Treatment programmes vary according to the nature and severity of the problem. Sometimes only the initial consultation, remote support and some hard work on your part work are sufficient. Moreover, a detailed report outlining the therapy will be sent to you and your veterinary surgeon.
Services may vary depending on the clinician you book with. you can find out about the individual clinicians and their services here.
What kind of guarantees can you offer me? What if your suggestions don't work?
We cannot guarantee a ‘cure’ or work miracles, but if between us we can diagnose what is going on, and if you are prepared to work hard, dramatic improvement is not unusual. The treatment plan is designed to be fluid. If what we initially suggest doesn’t seem to have much effect, then we will reassess and make some other suggestions about what to do.
Which species of animals do you offer consultations for?
Our practitioners have a wealth of knowledge and experience between them, and can offer advice concerning a range of species, including dogs, cats, horses, rabbits and parrots. ABC can help you understand your pet’s behavioural needs and subtler communication cues and resolve any issues that you may be having with each other. The key is to reduce your pet’s stress levels, which will, in turn, greatly reduce your own! Where we feel that a case is beyond our competence, then we will refer you to another more appropriately qualified individual. Please contact us for further information, or ask your vet for a referral.
How quickly will we see results? How long will it take to solve the problem?
There is no quick fix to any kind of behaviour problem. The treatment plan advised may produce results very quickly, but often it will take time, effort and commitment from all of the family to produce the improved behaviour. Always remember that your pet’s current problems may have developed over a long period of time, so it may take a particularly long time to improve. It really varies from individual to individual. However, support from us is ongoing, as you need it. Following your consultation, further advice may be available by phone and email as you progress, or face-to-face if you require it. Progress is often faster with greater follow-up behaviour support within your own environment.
Will you tell me if the risks are too great? We are considering rehoming or euthanasia - you are our last hope.
It is important to have realistic expectations for what can be achieved. Behaviour problems take a lot of time and work to improve, sometimes never fully going away. However, very often at least some management strategies and techniques can be put in place to help with the behaviour. Your behaviourist will be able to discuss the different options with you once they have fully assessed your pet and your situation. The behaviourist will make a risk assessment as well as provide you with the treatment plan if necessary.
How does the vet referral process work? What do you need from them? Do I have to pay more? My vet just said to give you a call - is that enough?
Your vet can make a referral online through our website. Ask them to look at your pet and fill out the referral form. This veterinary referral must be made to us prior to the consultation, together with any clinical records that your vet may think are relevant. Different vets have different ways of doing things. Some vets charge an extra fee for a referral.
What's the difference between training and behaviour, or between a trainer or behaviourist?
Animal trainers and animal training instructors provide support for owners of pets with training problems. Examples of training problems include issues like pulling on the lead, poor recall, teaching polite and calm behaviours, puppy training and socialisation.
On the other hand, behaviourists provide support for owners of animals with behaviour problems. Examples of behaviour problems include excessive vocalisations, aggression, repetitive behaviours, destructive behaviour, problems between household animals, fears, phobias and anxiety.
Essentially, a behaviourist is best suited to provide support where an animal’s behaviour is caused by underlying emotions, whereas training instructors provide practical training support for teaching certain behaviours or cues.
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0330 390 3866 ~ info@animalbehaviour.coop
