About me
Animal BehaviourIST | Aggression & Behavioural Risk | Expert Assessor & Media Consultant
19 years professional experience | MSc Applied Animal Welfare & Behaviour | Founding Member, Irish Veterinary Behaviour Association | Expert Witness & Media Consultant
Suzi Walsh is an animal behaviourist specialising in canine behaviour, aggression, and complex behavioural cases. She holds an Honours Degree in Zoology and a Master’s degree in Applied Animal Welfare and Behaviour, and has worked professionally in behavioural consultancy for over 19 years.
Suzi’s professional interests centre on aggression, behavioural development, and the complex relationship between welfare, environment, and human-animal interaction. She is particularly interested in translating real-world behavioural casework into broader discussions around public safety, ethics, and evidence-based practice, with the aim of strengthening collaboration between practitioners, veterinary professionals, and academic research.
Alongside private behavioural consultancy, Suzi contributes to public education and professional discussion around animal behaviour. She is a contributing writer for The Journal and regularly appears on Irish radio providing expert commentary on dog behaviour, welfare, and human-animal relationships. She delivers workshops, seminars, and professional training for pet guardians and industry professionals, and is frequently consulted as an independent behavioural assessor in complex or high-risk cases.
Suzi’s professional experience spans companion animal, welfare, and zoological settings. She has previously worked with Dogs Trust Ireland and served as a supervisor with Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. She also collaborated with the veterinary department at Dublin Zoo on a nutritional research project involving captive wild animals, contributing to interdisciplinary welfare work.
Her broader behavioural experience includes work with a wide range of species across domestic, agricultural, and zoological environments, informing a holistic understanding of behaviour, welfare, and human-animal interaction.
In recognition of her work with rescue dogs, Suzi was nominated for an Ireland Involved Award in 2009 in the Animals and Environment category.
She maintains a particular interest in early behavioural development and prevention of behaviour problems, as well as improving public understanding of aggression, communication, and welfare in companion animals. In addition to consultancy work, she has contributed behavioural expertise to television and film productions and continues to support animal charities in a voluntary capacity.
VETERINARY JOURNAL IRELAND PAIN AND BEHAVIOUR
Qualifications and Certifications
BSc. Honours Degree in Zoology from University College Dublin, 2001-2006
MSc. Masters Degree in Applied Animal Welfare and Behaviour, Edinburgh University, 2006-2007
Approved behaviourist with Allianz Insurance (vet referral required).
Certificate in Canine First Aid (canine first responder course), 2009 & 2011
FETAC level 6 Canine Obedience & Training, Dog Training Ireland, 2012
Qualified Puppy Trainer , Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, 2010
Companion Animal micro-chipping certification, International Animal Care College, 2011
Competency Assessment Programme in Clicker Training – Level 1
Member of the Pet Professionals Guild
Associate member of the IAABC
Certificate in Dog daycare from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
Certificate in Dog Emotion and Cognition, Duke University, 2015
Certificate in Feline Body Language, 2017
Certificate in Dogs with resource guarding issues from International College of Canine Studies
Certificate in Dog Body Language ICC
Certificate for the reversal of aggression in dogs and cats Dr Sophia Yin
Certificate in dog aggression ICC
Certificate in Treatment and Prevention of Dog Aggression Dr Ian Dunbar, 2017
Certificate in Canine Anxiety ICC, 2018
Certificate in reactive dog training Dr Ian Dunbar, 2018
Certificate introducing babies to dogs, 2019
Certificate in common behaviour problems in dogs Dr Ian Dunbar, 2019
Certificate in training advanced recall, Pet Professional Guild, 2019
Certificate in Understanding and Solving Separation Anxiety in Dogs, ICC, 2019
Advanced Accredited Certificate in Canine Reactivity Behaviour, Canine Principles, 2019
Certificate in Canine Impulse Control, 2019
Certificate Motivating Dogs (for dogs who won’t work for food), 2019
Certificate in Dog and Cat behaviour problems, Dr.Ian Dunbar 2019.
Certificate in dog behaviour (in the dogs mind), Victoria Stilwell, 2019.
Certificate in Dog - Dog Aggression and Reactivity, Scott Sheaffer, 2019.
Certificate - Neurological Versus Behavioural, Karen Overall, ACVB, 2025
Owner-related distance increasing behaviour, Donovan Behaviour, 2025
“Return, Rehome or PTS. Managing difficult decisions in veterinary behavioural medicine”, IVBA, 2025.
Companion animal empathy and the impact of this on our relationships with them, Dr Karen Hiestand, 2025.
Castration & Behaviour: Should castration be recommended and if so, when? Sue McCabe, XL Vets, 2025
How Biological Needs affect Behaviour in Bull Breed Dogs, APBC, 2025.
How Chronic Pain Can Impact Behaviour and How to Diagnose It, Forte, 2025.
Treating separation related disorders in dogs, Sarah Heath, 2025.
Qualifications and Certifications continued
Certificate in Practical Ethology: Breeding Selection and Training Choices, Chris Redenbach, 2020.
Trainer & Behaviourist COVID-19 Certificate, Sarah Whitehead, 202o.
Canine Pharmacology Accredited Advanced Certificate certification, Canine Principles, 2020.
Certificate in Keeping Dogs Safe - Barbara Handelman M.Ed., CDBC, 2021.
Certificate in Rescue dogs - Canine Principles, 2021.
Remote Consultations for Aggression Cases, Raising Canine, 2021.
Certificate Canine Sex, Hormones & Neutering, Sarah Whitehead, 2021.
Certificate in Separation Anxiety - Simply Behaviour, 2021.
Heelwork (How To Stop A Dog Pulling On The Lead) Instructor Course, Simply Behaviour, 2021.
Recall (how to train your dog to come back) Instructor level, Simply Behaviour, 2021.
Certificate in Canine Play and Bonding, Canine Principles, 2021.
Certificate in Loose lead walking, Canine Principles, 2021.
Certificate Inspiring Resilience In Fearful and Reactive Dogs, Canine Principles, 2021.
21 days to a clever dog course. Sarah Whitehead, 2021.
Certificate in Canine Nutrition & Behaviour, The School of Canine Science, 2021.
Certificate in Canine Enrichment, 2021.
Certificate in the impact of dog play groups, Aimee Sadler, 2022.
Certificate in assessing pain in Dogs, Vet Ed, 2022.
Course Learning How to Recognize and Understand Pain in Dogs , Dr. Hannah Capon, 2022.
Recognizing Brewing Fear and Aggression in Dogs and Cats, Dr. Sophia Yin, 2022.
Rapid Reversal of Fear and Aggression in Dogs and Cats, Dr. Sophia Yin, 2022.
Restraint of Difficult Dogs and Cats, Dr. Sophia Yin, 2022.
Low Stress Handling® Silver Certification program, Dr. Sophia Yin, 2022.
Certificate Working with dogs who are not food motivated, Kathy Sdao, 2022.
Certificate Impulse control level 1 & 2, Donna Hill, 2022.
Reactivity in Herding Breeds, Emily Priestley, 2023.
Certificate Cooperative Care for Touch Aggressive Dogs, Sarah Dixon, 2023.
Identifying discomfort in dogs, APBC, 2023.
Certificate How to spot pain through movement and posture, Gemma Hodson, 2023.
Certificate Phantom pregnancy the silent killer, Dr Sara Davies, 2023.
Course in Puppy development and socialisation, Amplified behaviour. 2023.
Certificate Reactivity and Over Arousal, FDSA, 2023.
Certificate Tackling reactivity, Spirit Dog Training, 2023.
Certificate Forensic Dog Bite Investigations, Dr James Crosby, Amplified Behaviour, 2023.
Certificate Stop Jumping Course, Spirit Dog Training, 2023.
Course Car Chasing to Calm, Sarah Hederly, 2023.
Course Selecting drugs for pain trials, Dr. Kathy Murphy, BehavioUr Vets, 2024.
Course Stop Pulling! Loose Leash Walking, Grisha Stewart, 2024.
Cooperative Care, Dr.E’Lise Christensen, Behaviour Vets, 2024.
Behaviour-Supporting Medications and Supplements, Behaviour Vets, 2024.
Silence is Golden (solving barking issues) with Leslie McDevitt, 2024.
Separation Case Study Masterclass, Lauren Hewitt-Watts, 2024.
Defensive Handling with Aggressive Dogs, Michael Shikashio & Trish McMillan, IAABC, 2024.
Incorporating Enrichment into Your Behaviour Modification Plan, Allie Bender, IAABC, 2024.
Course Canine Compulsive Disorder, Toni Shelbourne, Canine Principles, 2024.
Course Reactive and aggressive behaviour, BehaviourVets, 2024.
Course on the Power of Play, BehaviourVets, 2024.
Course Resolving Resource Guarding, Sarah Dixon, IAABC, 2024.
Recognizing Pain: Physical vs Behavioural, Debbie Gross Torraca, IAABC, 2024.
Working with Separation Issues in Dogs, IAABC, 2024.
Functional Assessment Tracking, Suzanne Clothier, 2024.
Patellar luxation - diagnosis and management, John Innes, 2024.
Working Complex Aggression Cases, Laurie Lawless, IAABC, 2024.
Predation Substitute Training New Ways to Manage Predatory Chasing, Simone Mueller, 2024.
Handling Reactive Dogs in the City, Dr. Sarah Shapiro-Ward, 2024.
How Animals Communicate Pain - Matt Gurney, FABC, 2024.
Pheromonatherapy: Update on Clinical Applications and Related Science - Daniel Mills, FABC, 2024.
Giardia and behaviour - Dr Amber Batson, 2025.
Increasing owner understanding and compliance, Helen Zulch, 2025.
Socializing Puppies with Dr. Karen Overall - MMBC May 2025