There can be major differences in the background, training and expertise of those providing behavioural advice. The veterinary behaviourist must first be a graduate of an accredited veterinary school. This insures a comprehensive background in anatomy, neurology, physiology, medicine, and pharmacology, as well as the type of medical problems that might have an effect on the behaviour of the pet. The veterinary behaviourist must also receive training in normal species typical behaviour, comparative animal behaviour, the principles of learning and behaviour modification, abnormal behaviour, psychopharmacology and the effects of disease on behaviour, and must work for at least two years seeing cases under the mentorship of a board certified behaviourist. In short, the veterinary behaviourist has a unique combination of education and training, clinical expertise and medical knowledge to be able to diagnose and design a treatment programme for your pet’s behaviour problem.