Rachel Peake A.Dip CBM, MISAP, ICB.

28/03/2026

28/03/2026

Thinking of working as a Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CAB) or Animal Behaviour Technician (ABT)?

The APBC believes that both trainers and behaviourists should be qualified, assessed and regulated.

That is why the APBC is a member of The Animal Behaviour Training Council (www.abtc.org.uk).

Acceptance as a full APBC member via our ABTC approved assessment process means you can register as a CAB (or ABT) with the Animal Behaviour and Training Council.

Find out more here: https://bit.ly/4fbO7SN

07/03/2026

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0376635709001004

Anthropomorphisms are regularly used by owners in describing their dogs. Of interest is whether attributions of understanding and emotions to dogs are…

07/03/2026

I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be taking the stage at DogX 2026 this October! 🎤🐾

If you haven’t heard of DogX, it’s not your typical dog training conference. Think TEDx style: fast-paced, high-impact talks from some of the best minds in canine science and behavior. I'm excited to be part of this amazing line-up with Dr. Anne McBride, Jamie Pound, the charity Bravehound (represented by Kirsten Dillon), and Dr. Emmanuel Oloyede.

✨ THE CRUFTS SPECIAL: In honor of Crufts weekend, you can grab a ticket for a reduced rate of just £135 (saving a huge £50!).

This is the final time tickets will be at this price. The deal ends at 1:00 PM (UK time) this Monday, March 9th. *Link in bio* Scroll down to events and click the link to the DogX website, then scroll down to where you can buy tickets. Don't miss out, tickets are already 50% sold.

Come for the science, stay for the networking, the great food, and the community. I’d love to see you there!

For those of you not in the UK: The conference takes place in Wi******er, which is a historic cathedral town in the south of England, not far from London. The conference itself is at a state-of-the-art facility at the University of Wi******er. So if you feel like a trip to England, it's worth exploring what else you can do while there :)

07/03/2026

28/02/2026

British Veterinary Behaviour Association have their Study Day on 18 March 2026 in Birmingham.

‘One’s company, two’s a crowd?

Issues, solutions and case studies in multi-animal households’

https://www.bvba-org.co.uk/news-and-events for tickets.

28/02/2026

Following the formal recognition of the ABTC Assessing Organisations Certificate Scheme by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) in October 2025, we are pleased to announce an important update to the assessment process for Animal Trainers and Animal Training Instructors.

From 31 January 2026, assessment of knowledge and understanding for these two roles will be achieved through either,
a) Completion of an ABTC recognised course or
b) Completion of the new APEL assessment with one of our ABTC Assessing Organisations
Assessment of knowledge and understanding must be complete before practical skills for the role are assessed.

This updated APEL assessment has been developed collaboratively with representatives from across our Assessing Organisations. We are extremely grateful for the time, expertise and commitment that have contributed to this work.

The introduction of a standardised knowledge and understanding assessment (APEL) aims to improve consistency, clarity and fairness in how the ABTC Standards are interpreted and applied across the sector. This forms a key part of the ABTC’s progression towards applying for certification body status under ISO/IEC 17065.

And by ensuring that practical skills are assessed alongside a robust underpinning of knowledge, this approach strengthens assessment integrity, helps reduce the risk of unsafe or unintended practice, and protects practitioners, animals and the people they work with. It also aligns with external quality assurance expectations, enhances credibility and supports long-term sector progression.

We encourage animal trainers and animal training instructors who are not yet registered to consider applying for assessment of both Knowledge and Understanding (K&U) and practical skills through any of our ABTC Assessing Organisations. Becoming an ABTC registered Animal Trainer or Animal Training Instructor demonstrates a high standard of professional competence, promotes animal welfare and supports ethical, evidence-based practice across the industry.

As we look ahead to 2026, this is an ideal time for practitioners to reflect on their professional development and consider taking the next step towards ABTC registration.

25/02/2026

07/02/2026

I can never resist a fiddle!

30/01/2026

Expert Alyssa Ralph says many dog owners mistake what their pet is actually telling them

15/01/2026

Here are a few simple tips to help keep winter walks safe and enjoyable for you and your pet. ❄️