Puppy Trainers vs. Behaviourists

Here are some important differences to note between trainers and behaviourists. Behaviourists can and often are trainers and/or veterinarians, but this is not always the case. Trainers are taught to handle the symptoms, but not necessarily the root causes of the symptoms. A trainer can help you discourage any unwanted behavior in your puppy and encourage prefered  behavior. They teach your puppy the basics such as house-training, crate training, and correcting bad behaviors lsuch as digging, barking, chewing, and pulling on their lead.

A trainer will teach a dog/puppy how to cope with being alone which would help reduce separation anxiety. The root cause of the separation anxiety would then need to be studied by a behaviourist, who would then refer you to a trainer if they are not able to help with the training side of the issue. Dog behaviourists have an in depth knowledge of your puppies mind and will use psychology to get the desired behaviour from your puppy. 

Always check your trainers certifications and qualifications and investigate which organisation they have been issued from. Social media groups related to your area and trainer will also be available for you to investigate.  You can also ask for references from previous students.