Pet behaviour consultant

On a typical day you might:

• take referrals from vets
•  hold consultations in your own centre or in owners' homes
•  talk to owners and observe their animals
•  investigate the nature of the problems and likely causes
•  create a training plan for individual animals
•  check the animal's progress
•  keep up to date with animal welfare regulations

• knowledge of psychology
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to work on your own
• the ability to teach pupils how to do something
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• customer service skills
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• the ability to work well with others
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly
• specialised training with a professional body

With qualifications and experience you can apply to the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour for Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist status. This will allow you entry onto the Register of Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourists.

You could set up your own practice, move into teaching, or work in animal behaviour research.