Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors - APBC

06/12/2024

Alice Watts has been successfully assessed and is now an APBC Full CAB member and an ABTC accredited CAB.

Well done Alice!

Here she is pictured with the beautiful Apollo who they sadly lost earlier this week. Alice says, 'he’s the reason I passed so fitting to have a picture with him as tribute'.

05/12/2024

Couldn't make the APBC's 35th Anniversary Conference?

See what you missed - you can buy the recordings and download our Conference Proceedings here now: https://bit.ly/4e9No3x......

04/12/2024

On Tuesday 10th December, we'll be joined by Amber Watson at 8pm. She'll be explaining what Giardia is, how it affects dogs and in turn, how that may influence their behaviour.

The interplay between gut health and Giardia infection in our pets is complex. The interplay between inflammation and other gut change & behaviour in our pets is also complex. Amber will use up to date science presented in a practical way to consider the relevance of this common issue in our dogs and what we can do once the issue is suspected or identified.

Register now: https://bit.ly/3BdTgKm

03/12/2024

❌AT CHRISTMAS YOUR DOG DOESN’T HAVE TO:

🧑‍🎄 Visit Santa at the garden centre

🎄 Be around your visitors

🎅🏽 Go to other peoples houses

🎄 Go to see the Christmas lights switch on

🍺 Go to the busy pub on Christmas Eve

If they are anxious or get worried about people, dogs or busy places or if they just don’t like doing these things. It’s not a fault if they don’t like doing these things, many dogs don’t enjoy ‘human activities’ like this (some do, I have one that loves all of it and two that would be 🫤 ).

✅ Instead they may prefer to:

🚪 Be in their safe space (see upcoming post on this), a quiet room they like being in with a dog gate on the doorway when you have a house full of people who may scare them

🐕 Have an extra trip to a freedom field on Christmas morning and some extra enrichment at home while you go and visit family for a few hours if they’d find it stressful to come with you

🐶 A meet up with a dog or human friend at a place they like rather than a trip to the heaving pub on Christmas Eve

🦴 A trip to a dog enrichment centre or a 121 in an activity they love (scent work, mantrailing etc) rather than an outing to see the Christmas lights switched on

🍖 Some dog safe Christmas biscuits you’ve made them rather than dressing up in a dog Santa outfit

Loads of these Christmas ‘traditions’ that we enjoy are not enjoyed by our dogs, especially if they are anxious or more sensitive. Even the most robust dog may tolerate these activities rather than love them.

Please be mindful of your dogs wants and needs and don’t put them into situations they find stressful just because we want them to be part of Christmas. It’s your Christmas, not your dogs, they really won’t mind not being included in everything you do ❤️

Laura McAuliffe Dog Communication 2024

03/12/2024

The APBC are proud to report that we have recently been through a comprehensive 3-year ABTC review to demonstrate that we are fulfilling our remit as a Practitioner Organisation.

For our members who wish to appear on the ABTC register, this signifies to clients, peers, and the wider community that you have undergone the most comprehensive and rigorous assessment process, proving your exceptional competence and dedication to animal welfare. This recognition sets you apart as a trusted and highly skilled professional in the sector.

02/12/2024

New research from the University of Liverpool, led by APBC Full CAB Member, Professor Carri Westgarth: Is having a pet actually good for your kids? New study challenges popular beliefs

Researchers at University of Liverpool examine impact of pet ownership on child development, finding limited positive effects and, in some cases, worse outcomes for children with pets

28/11/2024

We offer a safe space for any APBC member (all membership levels welcome) to discuss cases and to support each other in our unique roles as animal behaviour counsellors.

Join the APBC to benefit!
https://bit.ly/3wzreH8......

27/11/2024

Wonderful news from the ABTC!

𝗭𝗮𝘇𝗶𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗱 𝗣𝗵𝗗 𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗕𝗧𝗖
The Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) is thrilled to announce that , PhD, renowned animal behaviour expert and award-winning author, has joined the organisation as a Patron. This marks an inspiring collaboration in advancing ethical, science-led practices in animal behaviour and training.

Zazie Todd is widely respected for her contributions to the field of animal behaviour and training. She is the author of the bestselling books Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy, Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy, and the recently released Bark! The Science of Helping Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Dog. Zazie is also the creator of the popular blog Companion Animal Psychology psychology and a regular columnist at Psychology Today – helping to make complex behavioural science accessible and impactful for a global audience.

Read the full statement at
https://abtc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Zazie-Todd-becomes-Patron-of-ABTC-26.11.24.pdf

Welcome aboard Zazie!

27/11/2024

This webinar will look at what Giardia is, how it affects dogs and in turn, how that may influence their behaviour.

The interplay between gut health and Giardia infection in our pets is complex. The interplay between inflammation and other gut change & behaviour in our pets is also complex.

Amber will use up to date science presented in a practical way to consider the relevance of this common issue in our dogs and what we can do once the issue is suspected or identified.

https://bit.ly/3BdTgKm......

26/11/2024

The APBC’s ASK scheme (APEL Smart Kit) is a great way to help support you through the process of gaining Provisional membership through APEL (Assessment of Prior Experience and Learning).

Our next friendly cohort kicks off in January and you can find out more here: https://bit.ly/3ygWL19.........

21/11/2024

Having successfully completed their BSc in Animal Behaviour and Welfare (Clinical
Animal Behaviour) from Harper Adams - we're delighted to welcome Robyn as a Provisional CAB member of the APBC!

Find out why YOU should join US at: https://bit.ly/3wzreH8

20/11/2024

Who's joining us tomorrow for this AMAZING webinar with Roz Pooley?

Don't worry if you can't join LIVE, just sign-up and you'll be sent a replay link.
https://bit.ly/4gBTA5A

20/11/2024

We have an EXCITING give away - thanks to Performance Dog UK

Thankfully, dog training today is light years away from the dark days of making a stark choice between reward and punishment. Alongside Vickie Davenport, Melissa Fallon, an APBC Academic member, has written this new book 'Training for Dog Trainers'.

They review:

Which training method should we use?

What are the pros and cons?

What are the consequences?

What effect is it having on the dog?

In this book, the authors have gone back to basics and imposed a structure on all the methodologies using a variety of diagrams and tables, to make complex material more accessible, allowing readers to make informed choices and, most important of all, to train every dog as an individual.

It is essential reading for all students and professionals involved in dog training and behaviour as well as providing guardians with the resources to better understand their dogs.

TO WIN A COPY - please comment 'TRAINING' below and we'll do the draw on Friday 29th November at midday.

If you'd like to buy a copy - there is a pre-order special currently running via:
https://bit.ly/4hVE19u

Facebook is not the sponsor, endorser, administrator, or associated with this competition.

19/11/2024

Congratulations to Isabelle Cowen who has become a Provisional CAB member of the APBC!

Provisional members are those that have demonstrated that they meet the ABTC role standard for required Knowledge and Understanding. This may have been via an ABTC recognised course or via the APEL assessment route. Provisional members are able to conduct behaviour consultations but have not yet achieved the requisite experience to become Full members.

18/11/2024

APBC Full CAB Member Karen Wild reveals what your pet is really saying with their body language https://bit.ly/3YQXL5D

14/11/2024

Congratulations to Emma Austin of Harmony - Professional Dog Training who has successfully completed the APBC's assessment process to become a Full CAB member and an ABTC-CAB.

Find out more about our assessment process at: https://bit.ly/3KxKGaF

13/11/2024

Congratulations to APBC Full CAB member Jane Williams who has a new book coming out next month!

Keeping captive tortoises healthy and well is a significant challenge. Because they are ectotherms, these reptiles are totally dependent upon external sources to maintain body temperature and therefore metabolic function. Their physical environment is vital for them to remain healthy, and as owners, we have to provide sufficient choice in the environment for them to be able to experience as near optimum conditions as we can. Covering all aspects of tortoise husbandry and welfare, this book advises on: - Suitable temperature ranges, light sources, humidity, substrate, space, and seasonal changes according to individual tortoise species; - Specific dietary requirements, and opportunities for expression of natural behaviours including reproduction. - Variety of environments, ranging across indoor and outdoor accommodation options, to achieve optimum conditions for tortoises in captivity

Written by Jane, this book is an important read for anyone involved in tortoise welfare, from students and zoo rescue staff, to pet owners and the veterinarians advising them.

https://amzn.to/3YJVPvO