How are the Courses Structured?

The Institute's Certificate courses have been designed to be flexible enough to fit your lifestyle because you are in total control of your study timetable. This means you can apply as many hours to your course as you want to and complete it as quickly as you can, or take your time and study at a more relaxed pace. This is known as Flexi-learning, and it is a special feature of all our Certificate courses.  

Here's how the courses work... 

Our Certificate in Companion Animal Behaviour (Canine & Feline) incorporates ALL eight (8) course units below for both canines and felines.

Our Certificate in Canine Behaviour incorporates the first seven (7) units below, however the there is no feline content within any of the course units.

Course Structure:

1.    Origin, Behaviour & Communication:

• Evolutionary origins  

• Determinants of behaviour (genetics, learning, external and internal influences)

• Behaviour and intelligence

• Verbal communication and body language

2.    Physiology:

• Senses: Taste, hearing, vision, olfactory (sense of smell)

• The importance of touch

• Body temperature and respiration

• Personality

• Genetics Vs Learning

• Myths and misconceptions  

3.    Care & Wellbeing:

• Choosing the right pet

• Male and female differences

• Creating the right living environment: Bed and bedding, home safety  

• Nutrition & feeding

• Grooming

• Breeding

4.    Breeds:

• Intelligence by breed

• Personality traits by breed: Activity, excitability, vocality, dominance & aggression, safety with children, destructiveness, playfulness, demand for affection

• Sociability by breed

• Breed groups

5.    Development Learning:

• The stages of developmental learning

6.    Classical & Operant Conditioning

• Operant & classical conditioning theory and practice

• Operant & classical conditioning in application

7.    Dog Behaviour Problems:  

• Excessive barking

• Separation anxiety

• Aggression types and treatment

• Behaviour modification Techniques

• Destructive chewing

• Problem digging

• Canine Compulsive Disorder

• Basic obedience training

8.    Cat Behaviour Problems:

• Aggression in cats

• Fear desensitization

• Separation anxiety

• Keeping the family awake at night

• Jumping up on counters and benches

• Urine marking indoors

Let's take a look at the student support features we offer.

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