The Animal Behaviour and Training Council

05/11/2025

20/10/2025

Survey from The Royal Veterinary College (RVC)

📣 Calling all adult UK-based dog owners...

🐕 Do you own a dog over 12 months of age?

💡 We are exploring how dog behaviour may (or may not) impact owners.

🧑‍🧒 If you have children aged 8-17 years, they can also get involved.

The survey can be found at the link below:

https://rvc.uk.com/living-with-dogs-survey-main

🙏 Please share with any dog owners you think might be interested.

15/10/2025

𝗔𝗕𝗧𝗖 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗨𝗞𝗔𝗦 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 - 𝗔 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿. 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴

The Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) is proud to announce that its Assessing Organisations Certification Scheme has been formally recognised by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).

Following a detailed review, UKAS confirmed that the ABTC Scheme meets the requirements of the international standard ISO/IEC 17067. In simple terms, this means the Scheme meets the high standards required for recognised certification programmes, the same framework that underpins quality assurance across many professional sectors.

This recognition, published in the UKAS Stage One Report on 6 October 2025, confirms the ABTC Scheme as suitable for use within formal certification processes. It also enables the ABTC to apply for Certification Body status under ISO/IEC 17065.

For the first time, the animal behaviour and training community has a UKAS-recognised certification scheme. This milestone strengthens ABTC’s long-term goal of embedding professional standards, supporting practitioners, and helping the public find ethical, evidence-based help for their animals.

We extend sincere thanks to the volunteers and representatives from our Member Organisations whose expertise and dedication made this possible.

“The ABTC Assessing Organisations Certification Scheme was reviewed for compliance against the requirements of ISO/IEC 17067. UKAS confirmed that the ABTC Scheme is formally recognised as suitable for use in the Conformity Assessment arena.” - UKAS Stage One Report, 6 October 2025

[Alt text: Red graphic titled “Important Announcement.” Text reads: “ABTC secures landmark UKAS recognition — a first for the animal behaviour and training sector. Driving excellence in animal behaviour and training.” Includes ABTC logo and two megaphone icons.]

10/10/2025

𝗔𝗕𝗧𝗖 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 & 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 – 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗨𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 & 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻!

We're thrilled to welcome the Director of AnimalConcepts, Sabrina Brando for a special CPD session on:

“𝗔𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲”
📅 Tuesday 18 November 2025
🕔 12.30pm BST (UK time)
📍 Via Zoom
💻 To register: Please email us at admin@abtc.org.uk

Sabrina will be delving into:

🔸 Animal wellbeing 24/7 across lifespan
🔸 Mapping out an animal’s life and day
🔸 Symptoms versus systems
🔸 Connecting with values
🔸 The importance of play and joy

The talk runs for around 45 minutes, followed by a live Q&A. Bring a brew, settle in, and get ready to think differently about how we support the other end of the lead.

We look forward to seeing you there - biscuits optional!

[Alt text: Graphic promoting ABTC’s free “Lunch & Learn” webinar on animals as agents of their life, featuring speaker Sabrina Brando. Details: Tuesday 18 November, 1230 pm BST, one-hour session with Q&A. Register via admin@abtc.org.uk.]

04/10/2025

🐾 We’re Recruiting PRC Assessors! 🐾

The Animal Behaviour & Training Council (ABTC) is looking for passionate, experienced professionals to join our Programme Recognition Committee (PRC).

✔️ Evaluate programmes against ABTC standards
✔️ Provide constructive feedback
✔️ Help shape the future of animal training & behaviour
📍 Remote | 🕒 Flexible, part-time | 💼 Self-employed

If you’ve got proven expertise in animal behaviour/training and assessment, and want to raise standards across the sector — we want to hear from you!

👉 Apply now: assessments@abtc.org.uk
Closing date 14th October 2025

[Alt text: ABTC logo]

02/10/2025

We are deeply saddened by the loss of Dame Dr Jane Goodall.

As a world-leading primatologist, Jane was a shining light in the environmental movement and an icon.

Our tribute: biaza.org.uk/news/detail/biaza-tribute-to-jane-goodall

📷 Getty Images

01/10/2025

Still time to get some great CPD from ABTC member organisation The Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS) 👇

[Alt text: Promotional banners for the SCAS Virtual Conference - Sunday 19 October 2025. Sponsored by VetSkill. SCAS and VetSkill logos are also shown, together with the speaker line up]

24/09/2025

"Across BIAZA zoos and aquariums, training has become an essential part of daily care... training is animal welfare in action." 🦈🦜

New blog! Dr Teresa Tyler, from The Animal Behaviour and Training Council on one of the core elements of a good modern zoo/aquarium 👇

biaza.org.uk/news/detail/blog-why-recognising-animal-trainers-matters-for-the-future-of-our-zoos-and-aquariums

10/09/2025

Hartpury University’s Small Animal First Aid course is a one-day, Level 4 programme designed for trainers and professionals.

Learn how to respond to real-life emergencies like choking, poisoning, drowning, heatstroke and seizures - with hands-on training from expert instructors.
Endorsed by IRVAP, CHA & NARCH.

Next course takes place on Tuesday 16 September, book your place today:

Small Animal First Aid Course | Hartpury University https://www.hartpury.ac.uk/university/courses/small-animal-first-aid-course/

Alt Text Description - White kitten with a person applying a red bandage to its paw.

25/08/2025

With apologies, we have just heard from Sabrina Brando that she will not internet access for tomorrow’s Lunch and Learn (26 August 2025) due to emergency electrical work in her street.

We have therefore had to cancel the session. Hopefully we will be able to reschedule it soon. As soon as we do we will post details here.

Everyone who has registered has been emailed and will be contacted once the L&L is rescheduled.

17/08/2025

Request for research.

Hi dog-loving friends! My name is River McDonald and I am a Clinical Animal Behaviourist currently undertaking research towards my PhD. Can I beg a little of your time to take part and help further our knowledge on dog walking equipment?

My goal is to hear from as many U.K. dog owners, with as many different kinds of dogs and using as many different kinds of equipment as possible! Your input is important and valued and has the potential to impact dog welfare in a positive way!

Taking part is anonymous and is really easy to do, just complete the online survey linked in the comments below. If you could comment done or like this post that will help others see it too! 💪🙌

Please feel free to share with your dog loving friends and family. The more dog owners I can get responses from, the more we can learn about how walking equipment impacts our canine companions!

I am also looking for Scotland based owners to bring their dogs to SRUC for a video based study too - there is an opt in for more info about this at the end of the questionnaire!

Thanks in advance for helping expand our canine science knowledge.

Follow this link to complete the online survey: https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/sruc/behavioural-and-physiological-impacts-of-walking-equipment-desi

12/07/2025

UNDERSTAND HORSES LIVE

Join us at Understand Horses Live for two packed days exploring everything from gastric ulcers and the gut–brain axis to wild horse behaviour, assessing complex behaviour problems, equine housing and more.
Expert-led talks, practical demos and real-world tools will deepen your understanding and improve your horse’s welfare. Perfect for horse lovers, students & pros looking to learn, connect and grow.

9–10 August 2025 · Nottingham Trent University

Book your place now: https://www.understandhorses.com/understand-horses-live

If you are an ABTC practitioner, or staff of an ABTC Member Organisation please email info@understandhorses.com before booking to be given a 10% discount. This discount cannot be applied via the website or retrospectively.

[ALT TEXT: Three chestnut horses stand alert in a field. Overlaid text promotes the "Understand Horses Live" event at Nottingham Trent University on 9–10 August, featuring topics such as behaviour problems, rein aids, and equine quality of life]