The Animal Behaviour and Training Council

🗣 Hartpury University and College are looking for a Lecturer in Canine Behaviour.

An ABTC Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CAB), or developing in that area would be highly desirable.
This is a permanent position, and closing date for applications is 6 October 2024
For information about the role and application - please click on the link below:

https://isw.changeworknow.co.uk/hartpury/vms/e/careers/positions/b_67VGYvngpBfqC7vqwfUa

The BVNA (The British Veterinary Nursing Association) congress is less than 1 month away, and as promised we are putting the spotlight on our speakers for the behaviour stream!

First on the agenda is Nikki, who will be talking about the different routes to diversify in the animal behaviour and training world. A great introduction into the day, not to miss if you are interested in exploring this career path 👀

Who will be there?!

Can you believe it is less than a month until BVNA (The British Veterinary Nursing Association) Congress?!
Make sure you head over to the Behaviour Stream on Sunday 13th October to see our amazing speakers take to the stage and chat all things behaviour.

Over the next couple of weeks, we will be posting talk teasers to get you ready for the big weekend! Keep your eyes peeled 👀

Which talk is on your 'not to miss' list?! Let us know in the comments below 👇

ABTC Member held their Animal Behaviour and Training Working Group Conference at Colchester Zoo this week, on 16-17th September. The conference speakers focused on the value of both training and enrichment to promote natural behaviours within the zoo environment as hugely important ways to improve welfare. The range of species discussed was vast, from stingrays, sharks, reptiles and birds to sea lions, bears, hyenas, okapi, lions, capuchins, chimpanzees and orangutans.

BIAZA is an ABTC assessing organisation. Through its recognised course, we now have 54 ABTC registered Animal Trainers (ATs) and 10 registered Animal Training Instructors (ATIs) across 39 BIAZA Institutions in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. This is a phenomenal achievement over the 3 years since the programme started. The ABTC is very proud of its collaboration with BIAZA and of their registered practitioners. We were so pleased that Marianne Freeman, Val Harvey and Jane Williams were able to attend this brilliant event.

Here are some images from the today.

[Image description: Image 1 - the zoological, wildlife and aquarium organisations attending the conference, image 2 - PowerPoint slide highlighting feedback from the ABTC recognised Animal Trainer Accreditation Courses, and image 3 - ABTC Trustee and Secretary Jane Williams with former ABTC Trustee and supporter Marianne Freeman]

𝗔𝗕𝗧𝗖 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗼𝗴 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴
The recent publication of the study titled Comparison of the Efficacy and Welfare of Different Training Methods in Stopping Chasing Behavior in Dogs (Johnson and Wynne, 2024) has sparked significant debate across the animal welfare community. This study, which adds to the growing body of evidence on the adverse effects of shock collars (e-collars), highlights serious concerns regarding the welfare of dogs subjected to this training method. Please see our Statement relating to this via our News page at https://abtc.org.uk/about/news/

[Image/text description: Graphic states ABTC Statement - on recent study concerning the use of shock collars in dog training]

𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘦: 𝘈𝘉𝘛𝘊 𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘳𝘶𝘯 𝘣𝘺 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘳𝘴 - 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘥 24 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴 𝘢 𝘥𝘢𝘺.

ABTC Trustee Nikki McLeod is presenting a free webinar this coming Thursday for veterinary professionals through the BVNA (The British Veterinary Nursing Association)

🐈 Language – How important is it for dogs and cats under veterinary care? 🐶

One hour of FREE online CPD for Veterinary Nurses!

📆 Thursday 19th September 2024, 19:30 - 20:30

🗣️ Nikki McLeod BSc(Hons) PGDip(CAB) NCert(Behav) RVN ISFM CertFN & AdvCertFB

Language is important to all species. How dogs and cats communicate with each other, and with humans, can mean the difference between a successful vet visit, or an unhappy pet and caregiver. This webinar will discuss canine and feline body language and how to interpret it in the veterinary setting, as well as discussing our own body and verbal language.

Learning Points:
✅ Discuss stress free visits to the vets and why it is important
✅ Discuss common body language signs for dogs and cats
✅ Discuss how we use our own bodies, and voice

Register for free (open to everyone) and find out more here;

BVNA

With just over a week to go, remember to sign up for the Cats Protection Cat Behaviour Conference. 🐈

ℹ️ This year’s online Cat Behaviour Conference is on Friday 13 Sept and the theme ‘Cat Connections’ focuses on exploring the intricate link between cat behaviour and all aspects of cat welfare.

ℹ️ Can’t make the live? It’s ok! Buy a ticket as it’s recorded and available for six months after the event.

You can grab your tickets now via https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/information-for-vets/cat-behaviour-conference

[Image and text description: Image 1 of cat laying down and looking at the camera with text Cat Behaviour Conference Cat Connections, Friday 13 September 2034. Image 2 of the Cats Protection logo]

World-leading educational cat welfare charity, iCatCare invites everyone working and volunteering with unowned cats to register for iCatConnect - a free virtual event on 13–14 November 2024 supported by Battersea. The event aims to connect attendees with a global community dedicated to caring for unowned cats to explore new ideas and ways of working.

Featuring over 15 international cat welfare experts, iCatConnect explores practical and inclusive ways to support each other in finding solutions to the global overpopulation crisis and improving the lives of unowned cats. Topics covered will include:

- Understanding cat behaviour to improve care and wellbeing
- Effective ways to help more cats in homing centres, using the principles of Cat Friendly Homing
- Cat friendly solutions for population management
- Running successful Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programmes
- Collaboration with veterinary professionals and other key stakeholders
- Improving community engagement

The two-day online event will also feature daily interactive Q&A sessions with the experts. For those unable to join the live sessions, recordings and educational resources will be made available at a later date, with translations into Spanish, Portuguese and Greek.

Vicky Halls, Head of Unowned Cats at iCatCare, said:
'It’s the event the cats in your care would want you to attend - a complete journey through the bigger picture of cat population management and the care of all unowned cats. So, whatever role you play, whether you do TNR, work in a shelter, foster cats, or run your own small cat rescue, you can see where you fit and get to appreciate that we are all part of a huge jigsaw puzzle with the common goal of improving the lives of cats everywhere.'

Simona Zito, Battersea’s Grants & Programmes Manager, said:
'At Battersea, we believe collaboration and community are key to helping cats around the world, and we’re proud to be supporting iCatCare’s brilliant new event as part of our Grants programme. We can’t wait to connect with fellow cat welfare champions in November.'

For more information and to register for iCatConnect, visit: https://icatcare.org/icatconnect

[Image and text description: Poster featuring a black cat facing the camera. Text reads: iCatConnect - the event for the global unowned cat community, 13-14 November 2024, register now and join us for a free virtual event]

Separation Anxiety: What We Know, What We Get Wrong, and How We Can Do Better
Join Julie Naismith, BSc., CTC for a discussion that she hopes may reshape your view of separation anxiety. Wednesday 25th September 2024 7pm

To book - https://sowl.co/btcyDb

In a world of constant “breakthroughs” in canine separation anxiety treatment, are we too quick to discard what works?

In a field obsessed with novelty, we dare to ask: What if were overlooking the obvious? Prepare to question your assumptions and confront uncomfortable truths about our approach to helping dogs and guardians with separation issues.

We'll explore:

What We Know
● Evolutionary perspectives on separation issues in dogs
● Operationalizing the SA label: What are we really describing?
● The vital role of the guardians in recovery for these dogs

What We Get Wrong
● The potential for over- or under-diagnosis of SA and its implications
● The limitations of our understanding: Can we truly know what's happening with these dogs?
● Distinguishing fact from conjecture in SA research and treatment
● Why we risk underestimating the complexity of separation-related emotions

How We Can Do Better
● Questioning our methods: Is it time we ditched methods that are too challenging?
● The overlooked factor: Is loneliness being drowned out by fear and frustration?
● Why leading with the welfare of the dog will always drive the right approach.

Join Julie for a discussion that she hopes may reshape your view of separation anxiety.

To book please visit - https://sowl.co/btcyDb

ABTC recently sponsored 'Understand Horses Live' - two days of lectures, practical demos & workshops on horse behaviour, physiology, training and welfare at ARU Writtle in Essex.

An international panel of experts - equine behaviour consultants, academics, vets, physios and trainers lectured on a variety of fascinating subjects on Saturday 13th July, then put the scientific theory in to practice with the horses based at ARU Writtle (formerly Writtle University College) on Sunday 14th July.

Lecture topics included: what’s new in behavioural management science; do horses love being ridden; the impact of artificial weaning; agonistic behaviours in wild horses; the challenges of managing equine obesity; how best to load and transport horses; improving horse training; interpreting horse behaviour.

Demo and workshop topics included: effective loading techniques, the science of measuring behaviour; the challenges of managing equine obesity; equine massage techniques; horse agility; equine scent work; surviving in the equine world.

Understand Horses produces on-demand and instructor-led online courses, webinars and live events and is a Supporting Member of ABTC. Learn more at www.understandhorses.com.

The Cat Group Position Statement on Bully and Dwelf Cats

The Cat Group is a collection of professional organisations, including International Cat Care (iCatCare), dedicated to feline welfare through joint campaigns and collaborative research, making expert recommendations on the care and keeping of all cats. The ABTC is proud to be a member of the Cat Group.

The Cat Group is very concerned about the breeding and promotion of so-called ‘Bully’ or ‘Dwelf’ cats.

We are completely opposed to the breeding of cats with extreme physical characteristics that negatively impact on their welfare and quality of life.
‘Bully’ and ‘Dwelf’ cats suffer from physical deformities, including hairlessness and distorted limbs, among other defects. Breeding for deformity is unethical and causes unacceptable pain and suffering. These defects, particularly limb deformities (short, bowed legs) and abnormal joints are painful and restrict mobility, thus preventing these cats from carrying out normal behaviours essential for their welfare and their ability to live a good quality of life.

The Cat Group strongly urges breeders to cease breeding ‘Bully’ or ‘Dwelf’ cats. These cats should not be promoted in any way, for example through social media, or by their presence at cat shows.

We ask the public not to buy these cats under any circumstances; doing so is irresponsible as it promotes popularity and leads to more cats with these issues being born to suffer.

More information about the health issues affecting ‘Bully’ and ‘Dwelf’ cats is available on the iCatCare website https://icatcare.org/advice/dwelf/

Happy International Cat Day! We’re delighted to join ABTC Supporting Member International Cat Care as they lead the way with this special kitty day.

What will you be doing with your cat today to celebrate? 🐈

Happy ! 😻🎉 Share with us how you will today. 👇💬

Follow along with us as we share all the ways we will be celebrating and how we celebrate cats all year round. 🐈

Check out our website for fun ways you can fundraise and how to show the cats in your life how much you care 👉 https://icatcare.org/international-cat-day/

If you're heading to Dog Edition Live on 25th August at the The National Agricultural Exhibition Centre, Stoneleigh Park, then do say "hello" to our awesome ABTC Advisory and Supporting Members that include Search and Rescue Dog Association (NSARDA), Dogs Trust, KAD Kids Around Dogs, and Woodgreen Pets Charity👋

[Image description: ABTC Advisory Member and Supporting Member logos for Dogs Trust, Woodgreen, Kids Around Dogs, National Search and Rescue Dog Association. Text description: Come and say hello to some of our member organisations.]

ABTC Practitioner Organisation Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer Professional programme offers an in-depth curriculum that explores the theoretical and practical aspects of animal training, teaching people, and business setup, along with workshops - available both in person or virtually. This comprehensive course will give you all the knowledge and skills you need to attain the highest standards of positive reinforcement training, effectively teach these skills to others, and run a successful dog training business. As an ABTC Practitioner Organisation, KPA graduate members may be listed under the ABTC Animal Training Instructor (ATI) standard. Learn more about the upcoming series with Linda Ryan in New Forest, UK (Apply by 19th November) or virtually.

- For the in-person course, visit https://karenpryoracademy.com/workshop/regional-greenwich-new-forest-united-kingdom-linda-ryan/?utm_source=abtc&utm_medium=social-organic&utm_campaign=kpa-dtp&utm_content=virtual
- For the virtual course, visit https://karenpryoracademy.com/workshops/?format=virtual,&faculty=&timezone=&days=&utm_source=abtc&utm_medium=social-organic&utm_campaign=kpa-dtp&utm_content=virtual

ABTC Practitioner Organisation have their annual conference DogX, coming up in October. PACT are kindly offering ABTC registered practitioners 10% off the ticket price. So, if you're looking for some great CPD, then get in touch with the PACT team to receive your discount code. Visit https://www.pact-dogs.com/dogx2024

Remember to stick to early morning or late evening dog walks when it's hot. Sometimes it's safer to miss the walk altogether 🥵

Taking your dog on a walk or to places with little or no shade can be fatal during summer. It's important for dog owners to remember… If in doubt, DON’T go out!

Heat-related illnesses in dogs are severe and can lead to organ failure, brain damage and even death 💔



[Visual description: A Jack Russell walking in a field, panting. In the top left corner there is the 'Dogs Die On Hot Walks' logo.]

We have many ABTC registered practitioners who work with a range of species, including reptiles. One of our many ABTC Supporting Members includes the Turtle Alliance (ETA). Recently, the charity Norfolk Tortoise Club, which is closely aligned in terms of welfare with ETA, held a tortoise health check day. The charity saw 170 animals and had 500 people through the door to give welfare and husbandry advice to improve the well-being of captive tortoises. There were veterinary staff present to carry out microchipping and worming where needed, and strict hygiene was maintained between seeing each of the tortoises, to prevent any disease transmission. This was a friendly, informative day for tortoise keepers.

Here is a photo of registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist, Animal Training Instructor and ABTC Trustee Jane Williams, who was one of the specialists on hand that day to support. You can find out more about the Norfolk Tortoise Club and their charitable work at https://www.tortoiseclub.org/ 🐢

We are delighted to welcome our new ABTC Supporting Member - The Holistic Grooming Academy 👋. It’s great to have you with us.

You can learn more about The Holistic Grooming Academy via https://courses.holisticgroomingacademy.com

To see the list of our other ABTC Supporting Members, visit https://abtc.org.uk/advisory-and-supporting-members/

Want to understand more about ethical dog training and the origins of understanding dog behaviour? 🐾

Check out our downloadable leaflet available via our website athttps://www.abtc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Ethical-Dog-Training-leaflet-January-21.pdf



[Image description: leaflet titled ethical dog training, featuring a dog looking towards the camera]

Practising Organisation ‘The Canine Behaviour & Training Society’ is presenting a new webinar on 23rd July, talking about understanding and working with predation.

Sign up here https://sowl.co/uceKn

*𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁*

We have a request from a PhD student who is examining various issues affecting the UK's private dog training industry. The survey aims to gather views from dog trainers and behaviourists on training tools, training styles and whether the industry would benefit from being regulated.

The survey is now live and can be responded to; however, it will close automatically when either the maximum response number is reached or on 9 August 2024, whichever comes sooner.

Responses to this survey are being sought from anybody who works in the private dog training industry in the UK. Responses to this survey are also being sought from veterinary nurses and veterinary surgeons (whether they work with behaviour cases or in first opinion/general veterinary practice). Thank you.

Visit https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/leedsbeckett/canine-practitioner-views