ABTC National Register

ABTC · Animal Behaviour and Training Council

The nearest thing the UK has to a recognized benchmark for dog trainers and behaviorists, in a field with no license to practice.

01 What It Is

The Animal Behaviour and Training Council is the UK body that sets standards for animal trainers, training instructors and behaviorists, and holds a national register of practitioners assessed against them. Dog training and behavior work is not a licensed profession in the UK, so the ABTC register is the main independent marker that a practitioner has met a defined standard rather than simply set up in business.

02 What It Covers

The ABTC defines the knowledge and practical skills required for each role it registers, among them animal trainer, animal training instructor, animal behavior technician and clinical animal behaviorist, with the higher behavior roles working on veterinary referral. Its standards require science-led, non-punitive methods, and it has built them in line with the principles that underpin formal accreditation, though it is not itself a statutory regulator.

03 How It Is Checked

To join the register a practitioner must demonstrate both knowledge, through a recognized course or an assessment of prior learning, and practical skill through a separate assessment. The register is public, so an owner can check whether a trainer or behaviorist actually holds ABTC-registered status. Backing from major welfare charities gives the register its standing in the absence of any legal licensing.

04 Why It Matters

Anyone can call themselves a dog trainer or behaviorist in the UK, including those who use harsh or outdated methods. The ABTC register gives an owner a way to find someone assessed against a humane, defined standard, which matters most for the serious behavior problems where the wrong approach can make a dog worse, not better.

Common Questions

Is dog training licensed in the UK?

No. Dog training and behavior work is not a licensed profession, so anyone can use the title. The ABTC register is the main independent marker that a practitioner has met a defined standard.

Who runs it?

The Animal Behaviour and Training Council, which sets the standards and holds the national register, backed by major welfare charities.

What roles does it register?

Animal trainer, animal training instructor, animal behavior technician and clinical animal behaviorist, with the higher behavior roles working on veterinary referral. Its standards require science-led, non-punitive methods.

How does someone get on the register?

By demonstrating knowledge, through a recognized course or an assessment of prior learning, and practical skill through a separate assessment. The register is public.

Who does it help?

An owner looking for a trainer or behaviorist assessed against a humane, defined standard, which matters most for serious behavior problems.

Why does it matter?

Anyone can call themselves a trainer, including those using harsh or outdated methods. The register gives an owner a way to find someone assessed against a humane standard, where the wrong approach can make a dog worse.

Primary sources

Animal Behaviour and Training Councilabtc.org.uk
Types of practitionersabtc.org.uk