What’s the difference Between a Dog Trainer and a Dog Behavior Consultant?
If you’ve ever looked for help with your dog, you may have noticed that some professionals call themselves trainers and others call themselves behavior consultants. It can be confusing to know who does what and which kind of help your dog needs. Both roles are valuable, but they focus on different skills and goals. Knowing the difference can help you find the right professional for your dog.
Dog Trainers: Teaching Skills and Manners
Dog trainers focus on teaching dogs how to live successfully in our world. They help with skills like sitting when asked, walking politely on leash, coming when called, or staying calm when guests arrive. Because dog training isn’t a regulated field, trainers can differ in their education and methods. In simple terms, training is about teaching new skills and building good habits. It’s great for puppies, new dogs, or any dog who needs help with manners and everyday life. A skilled trainer helps people understand how dogs learn and how to make training clear and enjoyable for everyone.
Dog Behavior Consultants: Understanding and Changing Behavior
A behavior consultant works with dogs who need support beyond basic skills. These dogs might show reactivity, aggression, fear, over-arousal, or other behaviors that make life challenging for the dog or their family.
Both trainers and behavior consultants look at what a dog is doing and why. The difference is that behavior consultants take a deeper look at the bigger picture, including the dog’s environment, arousal levels, past experiences, genetics, and how specific behaviors are being reinforced. Using that information, they design a structured plan to help the dog learn more appropriate and sustainable responses. This process is called behavior modification. It focuses on adjusting the conditions that maintain a behavior so that better choices become easier for the dog.
For example, a trainer might help a dog learn to sit when another dog walks by. A behavior consultant would first assess what is driving the reaction, whether it is frustration, over arousal, or difficulty coping with certain situations. They then create a plan to help the dog stay comfortable and build new, calmer responses over time. This type of work typically comes with additional education, mentorship, and hands-on experience that deepen a consultant’s understanding of complex behavior.
Training vs. Behavior Work: A Simple Way to See the Difference
Think of training like learning new skills—similar to teaching someone how to ride a bike or play an instrument. Behavior work is more like helping someone overcome stage fright or build focus. Both require learning, but the goals and strategies are different.
Training = Teaching specific skills or manners (sit, stay, recall, loose-leash walking).
Behavior modification = Changing patterns of behavior through careful assessment and learning plans (reactivity, aggression, fear, impulse control challenges).
Why It Matters
It’s not uncommon for dogs to start in a group class when what they really need is more individualized behavior support. A dog who barks and lunges on leash might find a busy class overwhelming, while a puppy who shuts down might need confidence-building before joining a group.
Understanding the difference between training and behavior work helps you choose the right kind of support early. This saves time, reduces frustration, and gives your dog the best chance to succeed. The next step is knowing how to find a qualified professional who can help.
Education and Professional Standards
Dog training and behavior consulting are not regulated professions, which means anyone can use those titles. Knowing what credentials to look for can help you choose someone with the right education, hands-on experience, and ethical standards.
Here’s a quick overview of the main credentials recognized in our field:
Trainer Certifications
ADT (IAABC Accredited Dog Trainer) and CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer) are credentials for professionals who focus on teaching everyday manners, obedience, and communication skills.
Behavior Consultant Certifications
CDBC (IAABC Certified Dog Behavior Consultant) and CBCC-KA (Certified Behavior Consultant Canine) are advanced credentials for professionals who work with complex behavior cases and develop structured behavior modification plans.
These credentials demonstrate a professional’s education, experience, and ongoing commitment to best practices in training and behavior work.
Which Professional Is Right for You?
If your dog needs help learning manners or new skills, a certified trainer (ADT or CPDT-KA) is a great fit. If your dog struggles with reactivity, fear, or behavior challenges that affect daily life, a certified behavior consultant (CDBC or CBCC-KA) can help you create a clear, structured plan for progress.
If you’re unsure where your dog’s needs fall, I’m happy to help. As both a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) through IAABC and CCPDT, I offer support for everything from foundational training to complex behavior challenges. You can book a phone consultation so we can talk through what’s going on and find the right level of support for you and your dog.
You don’t have to figure it out alone. Together, we can find the best way to help your dog succeed. :)
