How to choose a dog trainer or behaviourist in Liverpool

This guide is general information, not a substitute for a qualified trainer or vet. If you're worried about your dog's behaviour or health, speak to your vet first.

A good trainer can make a real difference to life with your dog, from puppy class to tricky teenage months. Here's what trusted UK organisations say to look for, and what to avoid.

Anyone can call themselves a trainer

The Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) says animal trainers and behaviourists in the UK aren't regulated by government, so anyone, whatever their training or experience, can call themselves a trainer or behaviourist (ABTC). The RSPCA warns that some training methods can be harmful or cause behaviour problems, so it's important to find a good trainer (RSPCA).

Reward-based versus aversive methods

Reward-based training uses things your dog likes, such as praise, treats, toys and play, to make the behaviour you want more likely. The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) recommends it, and says research shows reward-based methods are more effective and less likely to have unwanted side effects than aversive methods (BSAVA). Blue Cross also recommends positive, reward-based methods (Blue Cross).

Aversive training uses something unpleasant, frightening or painful to stop a behaviour. BSAVA recommends against it. Its examples include shouting, hitting, shaking, smacking, lead jerking, electric shock collars, prong collars, spray collars, choke chains and electric containment fences (BSAVA). BSAVA says these can be stressful, painful and frightening, may cause injuries, and often lead to long-term problems such as fear and aggression (BSAVA). Blue Cross adds that dogs find it hard to learn when they're stressed, and that fear can damage your relationship with your dog (Blue Cross).

The ABTC says it doesn't agree with using aversives to train animals, and that methods shown to harm welfare aren't used by trainers and behaviourists on its registers (ABTC). It also explains that "dominance" and "pack leader" ideas came from studies of captive wolves that weren't behaving normally, and that these ideas have since been shown to be unfounded (ABTC Ethical Dog Training leaflet).

Shock collars and the law: the British Veterinary Association says electric shock collars are banned in Wales. A planned ban in England was announced in 2023 but delayed (British Veterinary Association; BSAVA). Check the current position if you're unsure.

Trainer or behaviourist?

Trainers teach you how to use rewards to teach your dog what you'd like them to do, such as not jumping up or settling quietly (Dogs Trust). On the ABTC registers, an Animal Training Instructor teaches owners how to train their dog, for example in classes (ABTC).
Behaviourists help with problems that are more emotional for your dog, which simple training won't fix (Dogs Trust). ABTC-registered Clinical Animal Behaviourists and Veterinary Behaviourists work on veterinary referral (ABTC). A Veterinary Behaviourist is a Clinical Animal Behaviourist who's also a vet (ABTC).
See your vet first for any behaviour problem or change. Pain or illness can affect behaviour, and your vet can refer you (Dogs Trust; RSPCA). The ABTC says behaviourists on its clinical registers will ask you to contact your vet before booking an appointment (ABTC).

Not sure which you need? Our adult manners guide covers reactive and anxious dogs.

Qualifications and accreditation to look for

ABTC registers. The ABTC sets and oversees standards of competence and animal welfare in training and behaviour work. The RSPCA recommends ABTC-registered Animal Training Instructors for training, and ABTC-registered Clinical Animal Behaviourists or Veterinary Behaviourists for behaviour problems (RSPCA; RSPCA). Dogs Trust also points owners to the ABTC to find a trainer (Dogs Trust). Practitioners on its registers must keep up their professional development (ABTC). You can search the ABTC Practitioners Directory.
APDT UK (Association of Pet Dog Trainers). APDT UK describes itself as the UK's largest not-for-profit organisation for dog training instructors, with assessed membership and reward-based training (APDT UK). It's listed by the ABTC as an organisation that can add members to the Animal Training Instructor register (ABTC).
CCAB (Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist). CCAB Certification Ltd assesses clinical animal behaviourists and keeps the public register of CCABs. The scheme started under the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB) and became independent in 2023 (CCAB Certification). Dogs Trust suggests CCAB as a good place to find a behaviourist (Dogs Trust).
IMDT (Institute of Modern Dog Trainers). To become an IMDT Member and "IMDT Qualified Dog Trainer", a trainer has to pass the IMDT's own assessment, which includes delivering a group class, a puppy home visit and a practical training session (IMDT). IMDT wasn't on the ABTC's list of practitioner organisations when we checked on 18 October 2026 (ABTC), so if ABTC registration matters to you, ask the trainer directly.
Other ABTC organisations. The ABTC's list also includes organisations such as the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) and the Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians (ABTC). Check the current list on the ABTC site.

Puppy and pet dog classes may also follow the Royal Kennel Club's Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme, with a Puppy Foundation course and Bronze, Silver and Gold awards (Royal Kennel Club). That's a training programme and award, not a qualification for the trainer, so it's still worth checking the trainer's own credentials.

Questions to ask

These questions are based on what the RSPCA, Dogs Trust and the ABTC advise owners to check.

Which organisation assessed you, and are you on an ABTC register? (ABTC; Dogs Trust)
What methods and equipment do you use? Dogs Trust says to find out the methods a behaviourist uses, and to make sure you feel comfortable and confident they put your dog's welfare first (Dogs Trust).
Can I watch a class first, without my dog? The RSPCA recommends this (RSPCA).
How many dogs are in a class? The RSPCA says the APDT UK recommends no more than 8 puppies in a class, with an instructor and one assistant (RSPCA).
How do you help an anxious dog? The RSPCA suggests watching whether the instructor helps anxious dogs and their owners, and whether the class lets dogs relax before joining in (RSPCA).
Will you work with my vet? Dogs Trust says accredited behaviourists work alongside a vet (Dogs Trust).
Do you need my dog's vaccination records? Clubs usually ask to see them (Royal Kennel Club).

Dogs Trust also suggests checking whether your pet insurance covers behavioural support (Dogs Trust).

Red flags

Fear or pain. The RSPCA says don't join a class if its techniques rely on fear, pain, choke chains, shouting or hitting (RSPCA).
Aversive equipment. Prong collars, spray collars, shock collars and lead jerking are all on BSAVA's list of aversive methods (BSAVA).
Stressed dogs. Be wary if dogs in later classes are cowering, have their tails tucked or won't make eye contact. Lots of shouting or barking points to high stress (RSPCA).
"Dominance" talk. The ABTC says ideas about dominance and being the "pack leader" are unfounded, and trying to be "more dominant" than a dog means using force or intimidation (ABTC Ethical Dog Training leaflet).
Promises of a quick fix. The ABTC's marketing guidelines say practitioners must not make unsupported claims or create unjustified expectations (ABTC). It also notes that TV shows edit "transformations" to fit a half-hour slot (ABTC Ethical Dog Training leaflet).
Medical or serious behaviour advice from a class instructor. The RSPCA says instructors shouldn't advise on medical problems or serious behaviour issues. They should refer you to your vet or a clinical animal behaviourist (RSPCA).
No checkable qualifications. Anyone can call themselves a behaviourist, so Dogs Trust says to check they belong to an organisation that upholds good standards (Dogs Trust).

Finding a trainer in Liverpool

Browse puppy classes, Kennel Club courses and one-to-one trainers on our Liverpool dog trainers page. Use the checks above, and the ABTC and CCAB registers, before you book. For behaviour worries, start with a practice on our Liverpool vets page.

In Liverpool: Fast Track Dog Training in Belle Vale (L25) runs reward-based puppy classes for puppies up to 18 weeks old at the start (Fast Track, checked 18 Oct 2026). Wag n' Waves (L24) runs reward-based puppy and adolescent classes and one-to-one sessions (Wag n' Waves, checked 18 Oct 2026). Precious Paws (L24) runs owner workshops, including scent work (Precious Paws, checked 18 Oct 2026). We list these from their own websites; we haven't checked their qualifications, so use the checks above before you book.

Choosing a walker or day care too? See our guide to choosing a walker, boarder or day care, or browse licensed day care and dog walkers.

More in our training series:

There are no affiliate links on this page. Affiliate disclosure. This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Always speak to your vet.