Hi, I'm Daniel
Leading cat & dog behaviourist with over 12 years experience in the sector
Thanks for joining me on my website. I am a Clinical Animal Behaviourist who is affiliated with the professional organisations ABTC and APBC who attempt to set standards and regulate the animal behaviour industry.
As well as my private behaviour work I have spent well over a decade working as a behaviourist and trainer with some of the UKs leading dog and cat charities. Dealing with animals showing some of the most challenging behaviours, in the most challenging environments.
As well as my private working and continued work as a behaviourist in the animal charity sector, I am also a volunteer dog trainer for the charity Dog A.i.D. This small, but impactful, charity helps people with disabilities train their dogs (where suitable) to become fully accredited assistance dogs. I get to work with clients and support them to better train their dogs.
I have had the pleasure in being able to communicate the importance of animal behaviour and welfare in many different mediums. I regularly speak at industry conferences as well as education events for members of the public. I regularly write for a number of different publications and I often provide comment for a number of different national newspapers and media outlets on all sorts of issues relating to animals.
I am also frequently involved in working with the veterinary profession to provide CPD and education around canine and feline behaviour.
Like most people in the animal behaviour sector, I started working in the field due to a love of all animals that started at an early age. I have an undergraduate degree in Zoology & Animal Behaviour, from the University of Wales and a Masters degree from the University of Winchester in the area of Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law.
Most importantly though, I currently live with a tabby cat called Lady Bug (that's her over to the left in the very professional and proper photo).
What to expect when working with me
Choosing a behaviourist can be a daunting prospect and it is important to get it right. A good rapport with your behaviourist is essential as you will need to buy into what they are telling you, so you feel confident to action their advice.
A key saying of mine is, "happy pet, happy owner". What this means is that I am not just interested in a quick fix approach, my aim with a behaviour consultation is to ascertain the under-lying reason why the behaviour issue is occurring and address that. Modifying the under-lying motivation of the animal in a positive way leads to a happy pet and a happy owner.
I concern myself deeply with the ethics of animal welfare and as such conduct my behaviour work in such a way. This isn't just a job to me, I genuinely want to see animals happy and thriving, and by proxy their owners too.
I have a fairly relaxed approach to my work, I believe in the saying, "take what you do seriously, but don't take yourself seriously". I want owners to feel relaxed and not judged, nor talked down to during the sessions.
As a member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) I am bound to follow a code of conduct that sets a standard of professionalism in my work. The code of conduct is there to support owners and hold members accountable.
