The Animal Behaviour and Training Council

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The Animal Behaviour and Training Council

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The ABTC sets and maintains the standards of knowledge and practical skills needed to be an animal trainer or animal behaviour therapist, and it maintains national registers of appropriately qualified animal trainers and animal behaviourists. The Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) sets the standards of professional competence and behaviour, and is the only organisation that assures the competence of those on the ABTC Register. ABTC represents the training and behaviour sector to the public and to governments, and is supported by DEFRA, the veterinary profession, major animal charities and practitioners alike.

22/01/2026

Research request

My name is Lisa and I’m conducting a research study for my BSc (Hons) Animal Management degree, exploring the link between diet type and aggressive behaviour in dogs. The questionnaire only takes 10-15 minutes to complete and all responses are anonymous.
I would appreciate if you could take your time to complete this and please feel free to share.
Thank you so much for your help!
https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/angliaruskin/dog-training-survey. “

18/01/2026

British Veterinary Behaviour Association Study Day.

Check out the details at https://www.bvba-org.co.uk/book

13/01/2026

APBC Conference
�If you work with animals, this conference is for you.
Rooted in behaviour science and driven by welfare, this conference welcomes everyone who supports animals, from vets and vet nurses to trainers, behaviourists and equine professionals. All species, all roles, one shared goal. Early bird tickets end very soon

https://www.apbc.org.uk/conference/landing/

Alt Text Description�_A blue and white graphic highlighting the conference held by the APBC that is to be held in Daventry on 20-21 june at the Mercure Hotel. The conference is titled Pets and the City with a caption stating “if you work with animals this is for you!”

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trainer
trainer

sitter

nurse

11/01/2026

From ABTC ATI Sue McCabe

“Some of you may know that I am chair of a wonderful charity called Street Paws. Our mission is to ensure that no one needs to choose between their pet and a safe place to sleep. Street Paws stands up for people and pets facing homelessness.

We challenge the misconception that having a pet should ever be a barrier to a secure home. That’s why, in partnership with local authorities, hostels, and support services, we provide accessible veterinary care, training, and advocacy - breaking down barriers and opening doors to make pet-friendly accommodation the norm, not the exception.

We are looking for a behaviourist in the Manchester area who is willing to work with our service users, helping them with any challenges they may be having with their dogs, especially those newly arrived at, or already living in hostel accommodation. This is a paid position.

Please email sue@muttamorphosis.co.uk if you'd like more information on the role.”

22/12/2025

The ABTC welcomes the Animal Welfare Strategy outlined today. The Strategy offers opportunities for improved welfare for many animals across companion, farm and wildlife species and offers opportunities for real, significant and much needed, change.

The government has today announced their Animal Welfare Strategy for the next five years. The DEFRA announcement can be found here
[link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/defra-announces-biggest-animal-welfare-reforms-in-a-generation ] .

The full statement can be found here [link:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/694560bd3022cdf03a0eb81c/E03517059_-_CP_1474_Animal_Welfare_Strategy_Accessible.pdf ]

15/12/2025

Last Christmas shopping dates for ABTC shop

https://shop.abtc.org.uk

13/12/2025

Invitation to Take Part in a Dog Behaviour Research Survey (18+)

Dear All,

My name is Harry Bull, and I am an undergraduate student at Harper Adams University undertaking research into UK public knowledge of dog behaviour and aggression management.

As part of my study, I am investigating how a novel educational poster may influence this knowledge. I would be very grateful if you could take part in my online survey, which takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. Participants must be 18 or over.

You can access the survey via the link below:
https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/harper-adams/pilot-study-no-biting-assessing-the-efficacy-of-a-novel-canin-2

Or, via the QR code within the poster.
Thank you very much for your time and support.

Kind regards,
Harry Bull.

12/12/2025

📣 Calling all veterinary professionals! 🐶💼
I’m conducting a research project as part of my dissertation for my degree in applied animal behaviour, and I’m looking for vets, vet nurses, and other veterinary team members to take part in a short online questionnaire.
The study explores how veterinary professionals assess canine demeanour, confidence levels in doing so, and the factors that may influence decision-making in clinical settings.

🕒 Time required: Approximately 10- 15 minutes
📍 Completely anonymous
📚 Ethical approval granted

Your participation would be incredibly valuable and will help improve understanding of communication, welfare, and behaviour in dogs within veterinary practice.

👉 Link to questionnaire: https://research.sc/participant/login/dynamic/86F7C610-8EEC-4514-BDD0-31577C98F185

Please feel free to share this post with colleagues who may also be interested.
Thank you so much for your time and support! 🐾💙

10/12/2025

Heads up! Or should we say...feet up?

From 9am Friday 12th to midnight Sunday 14th December (GMT), every order on our ABTC store over £25 will receive a free lucky dip pair of bamboo socks when customers use the code SOCKY at checkout, while stocks last

https://shop.abtc.org.uk

03/12/2025

You are invited to join us at our fifth virtual annual conference on this Saturday - 6th December 2025 "Can I cope? Do I feel safe? A fresh look at an old problem"

Please use the code FABCABTCCON5 for members and staff of ABTC associated organisations to purchase your reduced price ticket at £75 (full price £85).

You can find further information on our FAB speakers and topics and book your place at Annual Conference.

https://fabclinicians.org/annual-conference/

27/11/2025

One day, your puppy is perfect, the next, it feels like they’ve forgotten everything they ever knew. Around five months old, many dogs hit that tricky adolescent stage where impulse control, recall, and focus seem to vanish overnight. However, this stage isn’t a disaster waiting to be survived; it’s a vital period of growth that needs to be understood.

Join Eryn Martyn-Godfrey for The Witch’s Way: Lessons from Lupin – Mayhem to Magic and discover how to enjoy this chapter rather than endure it.

Through real-life stories, behaviour science, and gentle humour, Eryn shares practical ways to help you and your dog build calm connection and confidence, even in the middle of the mayhem.

Date - Wednesday 3rd December 2025
Time - 19:15 pm

https://www.apdt.co.uk/event-details/the-witchs-way-lessons-from-lupin-mayhem-to-magic-1

26/11/2025

The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors is proud to announce the dates for our next conference at the Mercure Daventry Hotel on June 20th and 21st 2026.

This conference will discuss topics around the lives, welfare and impact of companion animals and their guardians living in urban environments - Pets and the City - Utopia or Dystopia?

The conference will cover companion species that live in cities and towns - dogs, cats, equids, birds, small furries and reptiles - something for everyone!

We welcome back our patrons, Cat Henstridge and James Greenwood, who will lead discussions from world-renowned experts.

Only 100 Early Bird tickets available until 31 December 2025 — swoop in and book your place before they fly away.
(Standard tickets cost £425 from 1st of January 2026)

https://www.apbc.org.uk/conference/landing/

Address

Taunton
TA12UH

Website

http://www.abtcouncil.org.uk/

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The Animal Behaviour and Training Council is the regulatory body that represents animal trainers and animal behaviour therapists to both the public and to legislative bodies. It is supported by Defra, the veterinary profession, major animal charities and practitioners alike.