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CAREER GUIDE

Training & Behaviour

Careers shaping how animals learn, from dog training and behaviour consultancy to zoo animal training.

Why should I consider a career in animal training & behaviour?

If you are fascinated by how animals think, learn, and communicate, a career in animal training and behaviour could be one of the most rewarding paths you can take. This is a sector that sits at the intersection of science, compassion, and practical skill, and it is growing fast.

As pet ownership in the UK continues to rise and our understanding of animal psychology deepens, demand for knowledgeable, qualified training and behaviour professionals has never been stronger.

Whether you want to run puppy classes, work with rescue dogs, train zoo animals, or one day help families navigate complex behaviour problems, this is a field that offers genuine variety, flexibility, and the satisfaction of making a real difference to the lives of animals and the people who love them.

 

What kinds of jobs are available in animal training & behaviour?

The range of roles in this sector is broader than most people realise.

On the companion animal side, you will find positions like dog trainer, puppy class instructor, group class facilitator, and pet behaviour consultant, working with owners to develop well-behaved, happy pets.

As you gain experience and qualifications, roles become more specialist: animal behaviourist and clinical animal behaviourist work with animals experiencing fear, anxiety, aggression, or trauma, often on referral from vets.

At the most advanced level, veterinary behaviourists are qualified vets with additional specialist training in behaviour medicine.

In the zoo and wildlife sector, animal trainers work with keepers to develop husbandry behaviours, voluntary medical procedures, and enrichment programmes for animals in their care.

There are also growing opportunities in assistance and service dog training, working with organisations that train dogs for roles supporting people with disabilities, medical conditions, or mental health needs.

Do I need qualifications to work in animal training & behaviour?The animal training and behaviour sector in the UK is currently unregulated, which means technically anyone can call themselves a dog trainer or behaviourist. However, this makes choosing the right qualifications even more important, both for your credibility with clients and for the animals you work with.

For those starting out, a Level 3 Diploma in Canine Behaviour and Training or similar qualification provides a solid foundation. The IMDT (Institute of Modern Dog Trainers), APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers), and PPG (Pet Professional Guild) are the key professional bodies for trainers, and membership demonstrates a commitment to force-free, evidence-based methods.

For the behaviour route, the ABTC (Animal Behaviour and Training Council) is the regulatory body that sets standards for the profession, and working towards ABTC registration as an Animal Training Instructor or Animal Behaviourist is a clear career pathway.

At the top of the profession, becoming a Full Member of the APBC (Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors) or a RCVS-recognised Veterinary Behaviourist requires significant study and supervised case work, but these are achievable long-term goals for anyone entering the field today.
Job security & demand: is animal training & behaviour a stable career?The outlook for this sector is very positive. The UK is home to around 15.5 million dogs and 13 million cats, and pet ownership rose significantly during and after the pandemic, bringing with it a wave of young, undertrained dogs whose owners are actively seeking professional support.

The global dog training services market is projected to grow at around 8% per year through to 2030, driven by increasing owner awareness of animal welfare, mental health, and the importance of positive training.

In the UK specifically, the introduction of regulations around animal training methods and the growing expectation that trainers hold recognised qualifications is driving demand for properly accredited professionals. For those willing to invest in their training and qualifications, the career prospects are strong and improving.

15.5 million

Dogs in the UK, the vast majority of whom would benefit from professional training support at some point in their lives.

8% per year

Projected annual growth rate of the global dog training services market through to 2030.

62%

Of UK households owned a pet in 2026, creating consistent and growing demand for training and behaviour professionals

Source: UK Pet Food, 2026

Source: Deep Market Insights, 2025

Source: UK Pet Food, 2026

15.5 million

Dogs in the UK, the vast majority of whom would benefit from professional training support at some point in their lives.

Source: GlobalPETS / PFMA, 2026

8% per year

Projected annual growth rate of the global dog training services market through to 2030.

Source: Deep Market Insights, 2025

62%

Of UK households owned a pet in 2026, creating consistent and growing demand for training and behaviour professionals

Source: GlobalPETS, 2024

The good bits

  • Genuinely transformative work. Helping a nervous rescue dog gain confidence, or supporting a family whose dog's behaviour has been causing real stress, delivers a satisfaction that is hard to match
  • Flexibility and variety. Many trainers work for themselves, setting their own hours and client base. Others work for rescue centres, zoos, assistance dog charities, or training schools
  • It is a science-based profession. The field is grounded in animal learning theory and behavioural science, which means there is always more to learn and the work stays intellectually stimulating
  • You work with people as much as animals. Teaching owners to understand and communicate with their pets is a hugely rewarding part of the role, and strong people skills are as important as animal knowledge
  • A clear career ladder. From puppy class assistant to behaviourist to clinical practitioner, there is a well-defined progression route for those who want to advance
  • Growing professional recognition. The sector is maturing fast, with clearer standards, better qualifications, and increasing respect from the veterinary profession

The not-so-good bits

  • The sector is unregulated, which means you will encounter trainers using outdated or harmful methods. Navigating this professionally and staying true to evidence-based practice requires confidence
  • Building a client base takes time. For self-employed trainers, income can be unpredictable in the early years while you establish your reputation and referral network
  • Emotionally demanding cases. Working with animals that have been through trauma, abuse, or severe anxiety can be emotionally heavy, and good self-care is important
  • Qualifications require investment. The best courses and professional memberships cost money and time, and there is no public funding route equivalent to traditional apprenticeships in most cases
  • Managing owner expectations. Behaviour change takes time and consistency, and working with owners who expect quick fixes can be a challenge
  • Physical demands. Group class work and hands-on training sessions can be physically tiring, particularly when working with large or reactive dogs

Watch & Listen

  • Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly (Channel 4) - Graeme Hall works with dogs with serious behaviour problems, giving a realistic insight into what a behaviour consultant's work actually involves
  • Bad Dog Academy (Channel 4) - expert trainers take on some of Britain's naughtiest dogs and their owners, showing the realities of professional behaviour work
  • Animal Training Academy (podcast, Apple Podcasts/Spotify) - covers positive reinforcement training across all species including dogs, cats, horses, parrots and exotic animals

Read

  • The Other End of the Leash by Patricia McConnell - one of the most influential books in the field, exploring the relationship between humans and dogs through the lens of animal behaviour science
  • Don't Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor - the definitive introduction to positive reinforcement and clicker training, essential reading for anyone starting out
  • Reaching the Animal Mind by Karen Pryor - a follow-up exploring how clicker training works across species, relevant for those interested in zoo and multi-species training

Explore

  • ABTC - the Animal Behaviour and Training Council, the regulatory body for the profession in the UK
  • APDT UK - the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, a key professional body for dog trainers
  • IMDT - the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers, offering qualifications and membership
  • APBC - the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors, the destination membership for qualified behaviourists
  • COAPE - the Centre of Applied Pet Ethology, offering respected distance learning courses in animal behaviour

Where can I find animal training & behaviour jobs?

You're already in the right place! Browse our Training & Behaviour jobs to see the latest roles from across the UK.

If you are patient, curious, passionate about animal welfare, and excited by the science of how animals learn, this is a field that will reward you at every level. You do not need to start at the top. Entry-level roles, volunteer experience, and a good foundation qualification are all you need to begin a career that can take you as far as you want to go. Take a look at our current listings and see what is out there.

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Many training roles are also advertised directly by individual training schools, rescue centres, and zoo employers on their own websites and social media channels.

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