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Originally Posted by matese

Dog Trainer: When you're thinking about a “dog trainer,” think of a teacher or coach. A dog trainer will help teach your dog new skills, such as sit, stay, come, or how to walk on a leash without dragging you down the street.
Dog Behaviorist: When you think about a “dog behaviorist,” think about a therapist. The behaviorist will help you solve behavioral issues like fear, aggression, out-of-control barking, destructive chewing, biting, and separation anxiety. The behaviorist will help you modify or totally change behaviors. After conducting a thorough interview and analyzing your dog, the behaviorist will design a plan based on that analysis.


When searching for a dog behaviorist you may want to look for someone who is certified. Certification shows you that your professional has educational training, experience in the field, and has passed a comprehensive competency exam. Looking for a behaviorist is like trying to find a good tutor for your human kids. If you find a behaviorist who came highly recommended and isn’t certified, that shouldn’t stop you from trying him/her. There are no legal regulations for behaviorists, so in your search, you are very likely to meet many self-taught candidates. It’s not uncommon to have behaviorist who is self-taught.
Other Tips:
Ask for referrals from your veterinarian, groomer, local pet store, family, or friends OR go through a Certifying Agency. An agency will often have a directory of professionals you can search through
Ask your potential behaviorist for references.
Ask your potential behaviorist how long they’ve been training dogs and if they have any formal education/certifications.
See if they are a member of any professional trainer or behaviorist associations.
Find out what type of services the person offers.
Ask what type of equipment they use during training.
Make sure they use positive and humane methods that you are comfortable with.
Make sure you can be present during training sessions.
Do they offer any guarantees? The answer to this one will probably be no. After all, you are your fur baby’s caretaker and will be the one who must practice any methods that you’ve been taught. Your professional is limited to the time he/she spends with you and your dog. So, in the end, it will be your follow-through for success.
You must be consistent and diligent with using the tools the behaviorist taught you.
Before You Start with a Behaviorist
It’s always a good idea to get your dog checked out by your vet to make sure there are no underlying medical issues sparking the behavioral problem!

A trainer can also help with those issues you listed for a behaviorist. That’s why generally my first stop would be a trainer unless dealing with bad aggression.