COAPE - Centre of Applied Pet Ethology

Got a Dotty Dog or a Crazy Cat?
Is your dog’s behaviour driving you mad? Is your cat making your house a mess? Are you worried that someone, or another pet may be injured by your pet? Don’t panic! Help is at hand with COAPE, the UK largest network of specifically qualified pet behaviourists.

COAPE Association Behaviour Practitioners are professionally available on referral from your vet to help you assess and treat emotional and behavioural problems in your cats and dogs, and other species such as horses, rabbits and even parrots!

Cases for treatment include aggression, destructiveness, house-training problems, indoor marking, unwanted barking, anxiety and phobias, car travel, livestock chasing, self mutilation and general control.

Some COAPE Behaviour Practitioners specialise in particular areas, such as in the treatment of canine aggression or feline problems, or specific expertise in handling particular breeds. Others may also offer useful related services, which do not require veterinary referral, such as dog training classes, agility and puppy socialisation classes.

What happens at a behaviour consultation?
Consultations are held on an appointment basis, either at one of the behaviourist’s regular clinics or in your own home. The initial consultation normally lasts 1 - 2 hours, ideally with all your family present.

A history of the problem will be taken and your pet’s behaviour assessed, and then the behaviourist will work with to you to devise an individual treatment programme. This may involve several subsequent sessions, especially with aggression problems.

The COAPE behaviourist works in close co-operation with your vet and keeps him or her informed of progress and developments.

NOTES & GUIDANCE FOR VETERINARY SURGEONS
Please click HERE for further information about the COAPE Association of Behaviour Practitioners and case referral procedure.

Who are COAPE Behaviour Practitioners?
All holders of the Coape Diploma (DipCABT) in Practical Aspects of Companion Animal Behaviour and Training (which is independently accredited by the UK’s Open College Network), are first admitted to the COAPE Association as Affiliates. Many Affiliates are vets, vet nurses, animal welfare professionals etc who incorporate their behaviour work into their existing professional activities. To become registered as a COAPE Behaviour Practitioner available for general referral of behaviour problems from vets, an Affiliate must be practically assessed internally by COAPE for his or her competence. Having passed this rigorous assessment, he or she then signs up to the COAPE Code of Practice and becomes registered as a Practitioner.

COAPE Behaviour Practitioners maintain their state-of-the-art competence and knowledge through attending various Continuing Professional Development courses offered by COAPE and others, and through the back up and support of their tutors and colleagues via the extensive and very busy Members Section of the Association. You can be assured of the very best of qualified and up to date help with a COAPE Behaviour Practitioner!

Please click anywhere on the panel below to find your best source of local COAPE qualified help for all pet behaviour and training matters.

COAPE - CLICK HERE for help with a behavioural problem