The Animal Behaviour and Training Council

10/09/2025

Hartpury University’s Small Animal First Aid course is a one-day, Level 4 programme designed for trainers and professionals.

Learn how to respond to real-life emergencies like choking, poisoning, drowning, heatstroke and seizures - with hands-on training from expert instructors.
Endorsed by IRVAP, CHA & NARCH.

Next course takes place on Tuesday 16 September, book your place today:

Small Animal First Aid Course | Hartpury University https://www.hartpury.ac.uk/university/courses/small-animal-first-aid-course/

Alt Text Description - White kitten with a person applying a red bandage to its paw.

25/08/2025

With apologies, we have just heard from Sabrina Brando that she will not internet access for tomorrow’s Lunch and Learn (26 August 2025) due to emergency electrical work in her street.

We have therefore had to cancel the session. Hopefully we will be able to reschedule it soon. As soon as we do we will post details here.

Everyone who has registered has been emailed and will be contacted once the L&L is rescheduled.

17/08/2025

Request for research.

Hi dog-loving friends! My name is River McDonald and I am a Clinical Animal Behaviourist currently undertaking research towards my PhD. Can I beg a little of your time to take part and help further our knowledge on dog walking equipment?

My goal is to hear from as many U.K. dog owners, with as many different kinds of dogs and using as many different kinds of equipment as possible! Your input is important and valued and has the potential to impact dog welfare in a positive way!

Taking part is anonymous and is really easy to do, just complete the online survey linked in the comments below. If you could comment done or like this post that will help others see it too! 💪🙌

Please feel free to share with your dog loving friends and family. The more dog owners I can get responses from, the more we can learn about how walking equipment impacts our canine companions!

I am also looking for Scotland based owners to bring their dogs to SRUC for a video based study too - there is an opt in for more info about this at the end of the questionnaire!

Thanks in advance for helping expand our canine science knowledge.

Follow this link to complete the online survey: https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/sruc/behavioural-and-physiological-impacts-of-walking-equipment-desi

14/08/2025

Are you able to help with this survey from a Registered Veterinary Nurse at Sparsholt.

https://emea01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fforms.office.com%2Fe%2FRvA2GQ1KLA%3Forigin%3DlprLink&data=05%7C02%7C%7C3b0c14c5834c4996597908ddcdba6ecf%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638892922790913016%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Xx%2FGCc4OnWeqlpVilnHc6n7kZiA8SMArKw2u%2FDGUz7I%3D&reserved=0

06/08/2025

ABTC Practitioners & Members – Join Us for a Special Lunch & Learn Session! ☕🐾

We're thrilled to welcome the Director of AnimalConcepts Sabrina Brando for a special CPD session on:
“Animals as Agents of Their Life”

📅 Tuesday 26 August 2025
🕔 12.30pm BST (UK time)
📍 Via Zoom
💻 To register: Please email us at admin@abtc.org.uk

Sabrina will be delving into:

🔸 Animal wellbeing 24/7 across lifespan
🔸 Mapping out an animal’s life & day
🔸 Symptoms versus systems
🔸 Connecting with values
🔸 The importance of play and joy

The talk runs for around 45 minutes, followed by a live Q&A.
Bring a brew, settle in, and get ready to think differently about how we support the other end of the lead.

We look forward to seeing you there, bring a brew - biscuits optional!

][Alt text: Graphic promoting ABTC’s free “Lunch & Learn” webinar on pet behaviour’s impact on guardians, featuring speaker Sabrina Brando. Details: Tuesday 26 August, 12.30 pm BST, onehour session with Q&A. Register via admin@abtc.org.uk.]

02/08/2025

Ethical from Top to Bottom!

New Organic Cotton Joggers and Shorts Available

The ABTC Shop has expanded – and your wardrobe just got an ethical upgrade.

We’re pleased to introduce three new additions to our sustainable clothing range: Women’s Organic Jogger Shorts, Men’s Organic Cotton Shorts, and Unisex Organic Joggers.

Whether you're heading to a client session, lounging at home, or walking the dog, these new pieces offer easy comfort without compromising on your values.

Made from certified organic cotton and produced using renewable energy, each item is part of a circular system – scan the QR code on the label when worn out and it’ll be remade into something new. No landfill, no waste.

Read our blog https://shop.abtc.org.uk/blog/ethical-from-top-to-bottom-new-organic-cotton-joggers-and-shorts-available/

[Alt Text: Surf green shorts with ABTC logo]

12/07/2025

UNDERSTAND HORSES LIVE

Join us at Understand Horses Live for two packed days exploring everything from gastric ulcers and the gut–brain axis to wild horse behaviour, assessing complex behaviour problems, equine housing and more.
Expert-led talks, practical demos and real-world tools will deepen your understanding and improve your horse’s welfare. Perfect for horse lovers, students & pros looking to learn, connect and grow.

9–10 August 2025 · Nottingham Trent University

Book your place now: https://www.understandhorses.com/understand-horses-live

If you are an ABTC practitioner, or staff of an ABTC Member Organisation please email info@understandhorses.com before booking to be given a 10% discount. This discount cannot be applied via the website or retrospectively.

[ALT TEXT: Three chestnut horses stand alert in a field. Overlaid text promotes the "Understand Horses Live" event at Nottingham Trent University on 9–10 August, featuring topics such as behaviour problems, rein aids, and equine quality of life]

02/07/2025

There is still time to sign up for ABTC Supporting Member The Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS) webinar later today 👇

Presenter: Phil Arkow

27/06/2025

𝘼𝙣𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙢 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙡 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙧 𝙗𝙚𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩 - 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙣𝙤 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙚𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣, 𝙣𝙤 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙣𝙤 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮.

The consequences? Animals hurt. Guardians misled. Trust broken.

The Animal Behaviour & Training Council (ABTC) is working to change that by setting professional standards, maintaining a public register, and championing evidence-based, humane practice.

But we can't do it alone.

If you're an ABTC practitioner, supporter, or simply someone who cares about better outcomes for animals and their people, please consider donating.

📽 Watch the short video below and visit https://abtc.org.uk/donations/ to support our work.

Thank you.



[Alt text: Video showing a series of statements highlighting that anyone can claim to be an animal trainer or behaviourist without qualifications or regulation. It warns of the harm this causes to animals and guardians, and ends with a call to support the ABTC in promoting evidence-based, humane practice.]

23/06/2025

𝗔𝗣𝗘𝗟 𝗤&𝗔 - 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗽

Just a quick note to let you know about our next APEL Q&A session, happening on Wednesday 2nd July at 7pm.

These monthly sessions (on the first Wednesday of each month) are a great chance to chat with the APEL assessment team, ask questions, and get any help you need with the process or paperwork. Perfect for anyone about to submit (or thinking about submitting) an APEL application.

We’d love you to come along if you can – it’s a relaxed session and a great way to build confidence with your submission. Can't make it? It's OK. We'll share a recording afterwards so you can watch it.

Hope to see you there!

[Alt text: Promotional graphic for ABTC’s APEL Q&A, held on the first Wednesday of each month. The next session is on Wednesday 2nd July at 7pm. Includes ABTC logo and stylized red and grey wave design.]

19/06/2025

**UPDATE** The Tea & Learn with Zazie Todd is now full. If you would like to receive a recording of the meeting, please email admin@abtc.org.uk and one will be sent when it is available. Thank you so much for your interest in our free CPD opportunity for ABTC-registered practitioners and member organisations.

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𝗔𝗕𝗧𝗖 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 & 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 – 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗨𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗲𝗮 & 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻!
We're thrilled to welcome ABTC Patron and internationally respected author from Companion Animal Psychology for a special CPD session on:
“Strategies for the Human Side of Dealing with Pet Behaviour Issues”.

📅 Tuesday 8 July
🕔 5pm BST (UK time)
📍 Via Zoom
💻 To register: Please email us at admin@abtc.org.uk

This session swaps our usual Lunch & Learn for Tea & Learn – as Zazie joins us live from Canada! She’ll be unpacking:
🔸 Why behavioural issues take a toll on guardians
🔸 What the science says about caregiver burden
🔸 The impact of emotion and confidence on training choices
🔸 Strategies to help people learn and grow through the challenges

The talk runs for around 30/40 minutes, followed by a live Q&A. If you can’t join live, it’s OK as the session will be recorded.

We look forward to seeing you there, bring a brew - biscuits optional!

[Alt text: Graphic promoting ABTC’s free “Tea & Learn” webinar on pet behaviour’s impact on guardians, featuring speaker Zazie Todd. Details: Tuesday 8 July, 5 pm BST, one hour session with Q&A. Register via admin@abtc.org.uk.]

16/06/2025

Just a quick reminder that our first in a series of DEI-focused Lunch & Learns takes place next week.

📅 Tuesday 24 June ‘25
🕧 12.30 pm start (BST)
💻 Live on Zoom – free to ABTC registered practitioners and member organisations

To register and receive the Zoom login link, please email: admin@abtc.org.uk – sandwiches are optional!

𝗔𝗕𝗧𝗖 𝗟𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 & 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻: 𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗗𝗘𝗜 – 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟰 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 ‘𝟮𝟱, 𝟭𝟮.𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺 (𝘃𝗶𝗮 𝗭𝗼𝗼𝗺)
We’re delighted to invite ABTC-registered practitioners and member organisations to our next ABTC Lunch & Learn event, taking place live via Zoom on Tuesday, 24 June at 12.30 pm (BST). This session marks the launch of a new series focused on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), hosted by the ABTC-DEI Working Party.

In this friendly and informative session, we’ll explore:
• What DEI means and why it matters in today’s climate
• Real-world challenges faced by practitioners
• What individuals and organisations can do to support inclusion

This will be the first in a series of DEI-focused Lunch & Learns designed to offer practical insight and support.

📅 Tuesday 24 June ‘25
🕧 12.30 pm start (BST)
💻 Live on Zoom – free to ABTC registered practitioners and member organisations

To register and receive the Zoom login link, please email: admin@abtc.org.uk – sandwiches are optional!

[Alt text: ABTC Lunch & Learn webinar: "Let’s Talk DEI" on 24 June at 12.30 pm. Free 1-hour session with Q&A. Features diverse game pieces image. Email admin@abtc.org.uk for Zoom link]