Professional
When to call a professional
Disciplines you should not attempt alone at home.
There are areas of training that need a certified specialist: aggression, severe fears, sport protection, service cats, mantrailing, explosive or drug detection. This isn't about pride — it's about safety for your family, your cat and the people around you. This level explains what can be achieved and how to pick the right specialist.
Any owner whose cat shows aggression, extreme fear or needs a working specialty.
Varies by specialty
6 months to several years
Goals of this level
- Behaviour modification for reactive or fearful cats
- New-cat introduction therapy and stress reduction
- Service, medical alert or emotional support cat
- Cat shows and exhibitions: handling under a judge
- Film and advertising: obedience under camera
How to pick a professional
Ask for proper certification (e.g. IAABC, ISFM, AVSAB), ask about their approach (positive, stress-reduction), ask to watch a session before hiring and be suspicious of anyone promising results in days or using physical punishment.
Warning signs to call now
Aggression toward people or cats, paralyzing fears, separation anxiety that destroys furniture or hurts the cat, compulsive behaviours (tail-chasing for hours, licking until bleeding).
Real specialties
Basic cat trainer, behaviour modifier, ethologist, show and exhibition handler, service and medical-alert cat trainer, environmental enrichment and multicat stress reduction.