The Animal Behaviour and Training Council

03/12/2025

You are invited to join us at our fifth virtual annual conference on this Saturday - 6th December 2025 "Can I cope? Do I feel safe? A fresh look at an old problem"

Please use the code FABCABTCCON5 for members and staff of ABTC associated organisations to purchase your reduced price ticket at £75 (full price £85).

You can find further information on our FAB speakers and topics and book your place at Annual Conference.

https://fabclinicians.org/annual-conference/

27/11/2025

One day, your puppy is perfect, the next, it feels like they’ve forgotten everything they ever knew. Around five months old, many dogs hit that tricky adolescent stage where impulse control, recall, and focus seem to vanish overnight. However, this stage isn’t a disaster waiting to be survived; it’s a vital period of growth that needs to be understood.

Join Eryn Martyn-Godfrey for The Witch’s Way: Lessons from Lupin – Mayhem to Magic and discover how to enjoy this chapter rather than endure it.

Through real-life stories, behaviour science, and gentle humour, Eryn shares practical ways to help you and your dog build calm connection and confidence, even in the middle of the mayhem.

Date - Wednesday 3rd December 2025
Time - 19:15 pm

https://www.apdt.co.uk/event-details/the-witchs-way-lessons-from-lupin-mayhem-to-magic-1

26/11/2025

The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors is proud to announce the dates for our next conference at the Mercure Daventry Hotel on June 20th and 21st 2026.

This conference will discuss topics around the lives, welfare and impact of companion animals and their guardians living in urban environments - Pets and the City - Utopia or Dystopia?

The conference will cover companion species that live in cities and towns - dogs, cats, equids, birds, small furries and reptiles - something for everyone!

We welcome back our patrons, Cat Henstridge and James Greenwood, who will lead discussions from world-renowned experts.

Only 100 Early Bird tickets available until 31 December 2025 — swoop in and book your place before they fly away.
(Standard tickets cost £425 from 1st of January 2026)

https://www.apbc.org.uk/conference/landing/

26/11/2025

A survey request from a Sparsholt student.

I'm conducting a research study for my BSc (Hons) Applied Animal Behaviour degree, exploring the link between diet type and behaviour in dogs.
The questionnaire only takes around 5-10 minutes, and all responses are anonymous.
Please take a moment to complete it and feel free to share.
Thank you so much for your help!

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=oRj48HntdUuJqXvFrwbN-xgRer78SYFGhTdYPfJcoTNURjI0OTExUkZQVjlHNEo2VDlBVlA2M09LQS4u&route=shorturl

23/11/2025

Looking to start the Christmas shopping this weekend?

Check out the ABTC shop and get 10% off

https://shop.abtc.org.uk

21/11/2025

This week's sudden cold snap is a reminder that winter is on the way, and we won't be the only ones feeling it 🥶

Small pets, like rabbits and guinea pigs, need extra care during this time of year. Guinea pigs are happiest when the temperature is between 15-20 degrees, and rabbits originally lived in burrows which protected them from the cold, wind, and rain.

So imagine how they feel when the temperature suddenly drops? You can keep your small pets happy and healthy during the winter by following our tips ❄️

Learn more:
Keeping rabbits warm in winter - https://pdsa.me/4Zi4
Keeping guinea pigs warm in winter - https://pdsa.me/eYgH

[Visual description: An infographic titled 'preparing small pets for winter' it features tips such as bringing them inside, placing pet-safe heat pads in their homes, wrapping their water bottles so they don't freeze, giving them extra bedding, and protecting their homes from rain and snow.]

12/11/2025

Survey request

I am completing a PhD in Veterinary Companion Animal Sciences at the University of Glasgow, exploring the knowledge, attitudes, behaviour and practice of small animal nutrition.

My current project aims to:
- explore how caregivers choose food for their children and pets
- evaluate caregivers’ use, trust and acceptance of nutritional guidance and information.

Results of this research will help to:
- establish the relevance and importance that caregivers place on nutrition-related care, information and advice
- enhance our understanding of caregivers' dietary decision making
- help inform the approaches required for effective nutrition-related communication and education in veterinary and human healthcare.

The project has been granted ethical approval by the University of Glasgow MVLS College Ethics Committee (ref. 200230319).

https://uofg.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_czNqoxO4d10csCy

11/11/2025

Remembrance Day

Today we recognise all those who served in conflict or in support roles, and the animals whose varied contributions helped sustain them. This day invites reflection on courage, sacrifice, and the enduring connections formed through shared experience.

We remember every life touched by war.

08/11/2025

Looking for some CPD - check out ABTC Practitioner Organisation Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians forthcoming virtual conference, packed with fabulous speakers and content. 👇

Join our Virtual Annual Conference 2025 on Saturday 6th December "Can I Cope? Do I feel safe? A fresh look at on old problem"
Full of FAB speakers, this is a day of CPD not to be missed! 🐶🐱🐴

Book your ticket now at https://bit.ly/3cmVnLR For those of you unable to join us on the day, don't worry! It will be recorded so you can catch up later 💻❤️

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.]