Pet behavior credentials explained: what the letters mean

DACVB, VTS, CAAB, CDBC, CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP. The letters after a pet professional’s name can look like alphabet soup. They matter because, in the United States, training and behavior consulting are not regulated. Anyone can call themselves a trainer, a behaviorist, or a behavior expert without any education. Credentials tell you what a person has studied, what they have been tested on, and, just as important, what they are and are not qualified to do.

Veterinary professionals

These professionals are licensed and trained in medicine. Only a licensed veterinarian can diagnose medical or behavioral conditions and prescribe medication.

DVM or VMD. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Your veterinarian is the first stop for any behavior concern, because many behavior changes have a medical cause, such as pain, dermatological conditions, neurologic conditions, or gastrointestinal disease.
DACVB. Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. A board-certified veterinary behaviorist is a veterinarian who has completed a residency in behavioral medicine, published research, and passed a rigorous board examination. They diagnose and treat medical and behavioral conditions, prescribe medication, and develop behavior-modification plans. You can find one at dacvb.org.
DipECAWBM. Diplomate of the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine, the European specialist equivalent.
VTS (Behavior). A Veterinary Technician Specialist in Behavior is a credentialed veterinary technician who has completed advanced training, case logs, and a behavior examination. They work with veterinarians to carry out behavior plans and are skilled at recognizing signs of pain and illness. Learn more at the Academy of Veterinary Behavior Technicians.
LVT, RVT, or CVT. A licensed, registered, or certified veterinary technician. Many veterinary technicians also hold credentials that combine medical knowledge with training skills.

Academic animal behaviorists

CAAB and ACAAB. Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, certified by the Animal Behavior Society. A CAAB has a doctoral degree, and an ACAAB has a master’s degree in animal behavior or a related field, plus supervised experience. They can help with complex behavior concerns, but if they are not veterinarians, they cannot diagnose medical conditions or prescribe medication.

Behavior consultants

Behavior consultants work with more complex concerns, such as fear, frustration, and defensive behaviors, usually alongside a veterinarian.

CDBC and CCBC. Certified Dog Behavior Consultant and Certified Cat Behavior Consultant, from the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). These require documented consulting experience, case studies, and a written examination.
CBCC-KA. Certified Behavior Consultant Canine, Knowledge Assessed, from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT).
PCBC-A. Professional Canine Behavior Consultant, Accredited, from the Pet Professional Accreditation Board, part of the Pet Professional Guild.
KPA-CTP. Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner

Trainers

Trainers teach skills, such as walking on a loose leash, coming when called, settling on a mat, or cooperative care behaviors.

CPDT-KA and CPDT-KSA. Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed and Knowledge and Skills Assessed, from the CCPDT. These require training experience, an examination, and, for the KSA, a hands-on skills assessment.
KPA-CTP. Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner; graduate of an intensive, reward-based training program.
CTC. Certificate in Training and Counseling from the Academy for Dog Trainers, a two-year program.
VSA-DTC. Victoria Stilwell Academy Dog Trainer Certification.
PCT-A. Professional Canine Trainer, Accredited, from the Pet Professional Accreditation Board.
IAABC-ADT. IAABC Accredited Dog Trainer.

Some trainers specialize, such as trainers certified in separation-related behavior. These trainers can help in some cases, but separation-related behavior can stem from different emotions, such as panic, frustration, or fear, and it often has medical causes. The best results come when a specialty trainer works with your veterinarian. Read more about dogs who struggle when left alone.

Handling certifications

Low Stress Handling® Certified. Professionals trained in Dr. Sophia Yin’s Low Stress Handling® methods. Read what Low Stress Handling® means.
FFCP. Fear Free Certified Professional, from the Fear Free program.

These certifications are open to veterinary teams, groomers, trainers, shelter staff, and other pet professionals. They show training in gentle handling, not training in behavior modification.

Titles to be careful with

Words such as “behaviorist,” “behavior specialist,” “dog psychologist,” and “pet whisperer” are not protected titles. Anyone can use them. Always ask what credential a person holds, and verify it with the issuing organization.

Staying in their own lane

Every professional has a scope of practice, the set of things their education and credentials qualify them to do. Good professionals know where their lane ends.

Only veterinarians diagnose and prescribe. A trainer, groomer, pet sitter, or behavior consultant who is not a veterinarian should not diagnose medical or behavioral conditions, recommend starting or stopping medications, or suggest specific medications, doses of medications, or supplements.
Trainers teach skills and carry out behavior plans. A trainer might notice that a dog is reluctant to sit, stiff on stairs, or snappy when touched on the back, and refer the caregiver to their veterinarian to look for a pain assessment. That is exactly the right thing to do.
Behavior consultants help with complex concerns, ideally in partnership with the pet’s veterinarian.
Board-certified veterinary behaviorists diagnose and treat medical and behavioral conditions, prescribe, and lead the plan, often with a trainer or veterinary technician handling the day-to-day work and 1:1 coaching.

Why referral is always a good option

Referral is not a sign that a professional has failed. It shows they are putting your pet first. Referral can go in two directions.

Medical referral. When behavior changes, the first question is always whether something medical is going on. Pain, gastrointestinal disease, skin conditions, urinary conditions, and age-related changes can all affect behavior. A trainer or behavior consultant should refer to the pet’s veterinarian whenever a medical cause is susspected.
Behavioral referral. When a case involves bites, intense fear, frustration, panic, a pet who isn’t improving, or a pet who may need medication, a general practice veterinarian can refer the case to a board-certified veterinary behaviorist. Trainers can and should refer too.

The best care comes from a team: your veterinarian, a qualified trainer or veterinary technician, and, when needed, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist, all working together. Read more about how to choose a trainer, and see the Get help page for options.

Sources: American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. dacvb.org. Academy of Veterinary Behavior Technicians. avbt.net. Animal Behavior Society, Applied Animal Behavior Certification. International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. iaabc.org. Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. ccpdt.org. Pet Professional Accreditation Board. Mills DS, Demontigny-Bédard I, Gruen M, et al. Pain and problem behavior in cats and dogs. Animals. 2020;10(2):318.