12/05/2026
Hello to some newer faces on here 👋🏼
I thought it might be a good time to properly introduce myself and explain a little more about what I do and why I work the way I do.
I’m Rachel, a clinical animal behaviourist based in North Wales, working with dogs and horses through a welfare-focused, evidence-based approach. My work focuses not just on training behaviours, but understanding why behaviour is happening in the first place.
Recently, I passed the first stage of the APEL assessment process through the ABTC and I am now an Associate Clinical Animal Behaviourist. This is something I’m incredibly proud of, particularly as the animal behaviour and dog training industry is currently unregulated — meaning anyone can technically call themselves a behaviourist or trainer regardless of qualifications or experience.
For owners, this can make knowing who to trust really difficult.
One of the reasons professional accreditation matters is because behaviour is complex. Behaviours such as reactivity, aggression, separation issues, excessive barking or over-arousal are often influenced by a combination of factors including stress, health, pain, environment, routine, genetics and previous learning experiences.
My approach is always centred around understanding the individual dog in front of me and supporting both the dog and owner in a realistic, compassionate way. Training is part of that process, but lasting change often comes from understanding behaviour properly and making the right adjustments around the dog as a whole.
I know reaching out for support can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve already tried things that haven’t helped, but my goal is always to make owners feel supported rather than judged.
Thank you to everyone who continues to support my small business — it genuinely means a lot.
www.rachelphillipsbehaviour.co.uk
