Realistically, what will a behaviorist do that my regular vet cannot?

[sarahtoo]

@fernando1999 Maybe its different in the US. Here they are specialists in explaining why a dog shows the behaviour it does and assessing dog body langauge ect. A vet would prescribe meds maybe based on what they said but the behaviourist usually can't unless they have been to vet school along with their animal behaviour degrees.

Trainers are more experts in teaching new behaviour or stopping unwanted ones but may not even be able to say why a dog is barking at people exactly (they will still have a very good idea normally unless its a very unusual case).

 

[joshuawithmartin]

@sarahtoo I believe what OP might be referring to is different from “just” a behaviorist.

Veterinary Behaviorists are veterinarians who are specialists in behavior and are the ones to reach out to about serious behavior issues that might benefit from medications, they’re also able to try and pinpoint physical medical issues that might be exacerbating behaviors, some neurological things, etc.

There are only about 80-100something board certified veterinary behaviorists in the entire world, although there are some vets that specialize in behavior and have extension behavior and medication knowledge but are not boarded.

Unlike veterinary behaviorist, the term “behaviorist” is not regulated in the same way so anyone can decide to call themselves that, although there are some certifications and professional bodies that use the term as well.

The difference between a trainer/behaviorist and a veterinary behaviorist is sort of like the difference between a psychologist/therapist, versus a psychiatrist.

(OP could be referring to an IAABC behaviorist which would be more along the lines of the sort you’re talking about but given the pricing and distance it’s probably a veterinary behaviorist.)

 

[fernando1999]

@joshuawithmartin She is a board certified veterinary behaviorist. My vet already put in the referral and I'll have to drive 4 and a half hours for the appointment.

 

[sarahtoo]

@joshuawithmartin Yeah we have 7 in the UK according to the site I just looked at. They are vets with the same qualifications as registered clinical behavioursts.

They are going to be much more knowledgeable about medications though and it has to be better if the vet understands themself rather than relying on owners to pass along the opinion of someone else.

Found this page explaining the differences (in the UK) while looking it up.

 

[meljmurray]

@fernando1999 Before you spend the money on the behaviorist...coming inside being a trigger is suspicious for eye problems (possibly even if he seems to see ok), and is likely the first thing the behaviorist would rule out. Getting that checked at the regular vet would save you money and get that out of the way.