Mat Ward BSc MVS CCAB dog and cat behaviourist

Knowledge and experience

In Scotland, anyone can call themselves a qualified dog or cat "behaviourist", "trainer", "psychologist", "listener", or "whisperer". Why choose me?

• I am a Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB), one of only 24 in the UK, and the highest standard achievable for behaviourists.

• I have a Bachelor of Science degree (Psychology and Zoology double major) and Master of Veterinary Studies degree with first class honours (Companion Animal Behaviour).

• I have fifteen years experience and over 4000 hours of consultation time with clients and their dogs and cats.

• I have extensive hands-on training experience with dogs, cats, and other species (3000 hours).

• My advice works - for you and your dog or cat. A study undertaken to investigate the success of my advice showed high levels of success and client satisfaction.

I am recommended by vets. Over 130 veterinary clinics in Scotland have referred behaviour cases to me.

• I am a full member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors. Full membership is achieved after undergoing a rigorous selection process, ensuring that dog and cat owners and their veterinarians can identify the most qualified and experienced behaviourists in the UK.

I use methods that improve the lives of both pet owners AND their pets, rather than using pain, fear, or intimidation to superficially suppress undesirable behaviour.

• My clients can often claim on their pet insurance for my services.

I am an independently vetted member of the UK Register of Expert Witnesses (dog behaviour specialist).

The only letters I place after my name are those of my university qualifications and accreditation as a Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB). Be wary of unqualified behaviourists that attempt to use their membership to an organisation as if it is a qualification. Other self-proclaimed "behaviour experts" may cite the completion of a poor-quality behaviour course as evidence of their qualifications.

Read more about Mat

Testimonials

Mylo:"Within a day or two of seeing Mat we had noticed a big difference. It was really night and day, and in an incredibly short period of time Mylo was back to his happy self.  Mylo is now the perfect dog!"

Astar: "With just one word I'm able to stop her aggressive behaviour. It feels like she has really started thinking before acting. She has almost completely stopped her mad barking. I thought she was untrainable."

Badger: "Mat’s explanations and suggestions made perfect sense to me and allowed me to see things from Badger’s point of view. His advice really was enlightening. The positive change in Badger was immediate, and his behaviour has continued to improve."

Willow: "After an afternoon of calm observation and engaging retraining work, Willow was already responding.  I put into practice the clear and detailed instructions in Mat’s report and over a couple of weeks we had our old dog back again, even better than before."

Moseley: "We now have our hall back, a clean floor, no smell and use of the front door again!  Oh, and we now have a much happier and contented cat.  We are all friends again.  I can't thank Mathew enough."

Bracken and Geordie: "Mat came along and after spending time discussing my concerns, asking questions and calmly observing and interacting with “the boys”, he outlined an insightful and practical approach which to my delight ended up resolving the issue. This was something I had lost hope of achieving after consulting previously with other dog behaviour "experts".

Jum Jum: "My gorgeous Burmese cat Jum Jum preferred to poo on the floor rather than use the litter tray. For a year I had tried everything I could think of to encourage him to use the litter tray but everything failed. With Mat’s advice the problem was sorted literally overnight and Jum Jum has been happily using his litter tray full time since!