Many people think of psychology as a human science. However, it is quickly becoming clear that animals are also in need of psychological care. Emotions such as fear, anxiety and aggression are felt just as much by our pets as they are by us. For this reason, it is important for pet owners and animal practitioners to be able to interpret certain behaviour.
This distance learning course has been designed to equip students with the knowledge they need to improve animal wellbeing. From cat and dog communication to rabbit psychology, this course will help learners aid the animal domestication process and prevent possible psychological issues. Altogether there are 12 modules to complete.
This course is perfect for animal lovers of all descriptions. Whether you simply want to better accommodate your own pet, or you want to secure a career working with animals, this animal behaviourist course will help you on your way.
You do not need any prior pet behaviourist qualifications to enrol on this course. You do not even need any experience with animals. All we ask is that you have an interest in animal psychology, a touch of motivation and a way to access our online platform.
On successful completion of this course, you will be able to understand better how pets think and feel and determine why they exhibit certain types of behaviour. If you want to develop your skills, you may choose to study another animal home study course at Stonebridge College.
Animal psychology is a relatively new area so there are plenty of opportunities to be taken hold of. Some require further study while others do not. Some examples of jobs in this sector include, but are not limited to:
For more information about this course, give us a call on this number: 0121 392 8288
On successful completion of your course, you will receive a Stonebridge Associated Colleges Certificate of Completion.
Your course certificate will also state the number of CPD points/hours the course is eligible for.
There is no experience or previous qualifications required for enrolment on this course. It is available to all students, of all academic backgrounds.
All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans including our Premium Credit Limited option, must be settled before certification can be ordered.
*You will have access to the course for 24 months.
Unit 1 – Pet Evolution
Topics:
Domestication
Selective Breeding
Therapeutic value
Anthromorphism
Pet fashions
Choosing a pet
By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:
Have a clear knowledge of the process of domestication
Know the functions of selective breeding
Identify the different reasons why pets have a good therapeutic value
Understand what Anthromorphism is and how to avoid it
Know how media effects the numbers of unwanted pets
Identify the different questions that need to be answered before having a pet
Unit 2 – Dog Communication
Topics:
Smell
Sound
Body language
By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:
Understand how dogs communicate through smell and sound
Identify the different ways dogs communicate to other animals and us
Understand why dogs urine mark
Know what a dog is saying by the types of sounds they use
Identify the dog’s body language
Unit 3 – Canine Normal Behaviour
Topics:
Puppy behaviour
Meal time manners
Sociology
Senior behaviour
What is normal?
By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:
Have a clear knowledge of Puppy behaviour
Know the different types of behaviour that go on at canine meal times
Understand canine sociology
Have a clear knowledge of senior dog behaviour
Identify and understand different normal canine behaviours
Unit 4 – Understanding Canine Actions
Topics:
Chasing tails
Rolling in unpleasant things
Human to dog communication
Tail between their legs
Eating grass
Rolling over
Mad moments
Circling
Muzzle grabs
By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:
Know the reasons behind dogs, circling, rolling in unpleasant things and mad moments
Identify the different ways humans communicate to dogs
Understand why dogs chase their tails and eat grass
Know how to use muzzle grabs and understand how they work
Identify why dogs roll over showing you their belly
Unit 5 – Common Canine Psychiatric Challenges
Topics:
House soiling
Jumping up
Digging
Barking
By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:
Know the different types of inappropriate elimination behaviours
Understand why dogs jump up and know how to solve it
Have a clear knowledge of digging dog behaviour
Identify, understand and modify different barking canine behaviours
Unit 6 – Canine Anxiety, Fear and Aggression
Topics:
Separation anxiety
Fear
Aggression
By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:
Understand separation anxiety in dogs and learn possible treatments
Have a clear knowledge of fear and phobias in dogs and understand how to treat them
Identify different types of canine aggression
Unit 7 – Cat Communication
Topics:
Smells
Cat talk
Cat Body language
By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:
Understand how cats communicate through smell and sound
Identify the different ways cats communicate to other animals and people
Understand why cats urine mark
Know what a cat is saying by the types of sounds they use
Identify the cat’s body language
Unit 8 – Feline Normal Behaviour
Topics:
Kitten behaviour
Cat lessons
Meal time manners
Sociology
Senior behaviour
What is normal?
By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:
Have a clear knowledge of kitten behaviour
Know the different types of behaviour that go on at feline meal times
Understand feline sociology
Have a clear knowledge of senior cat behaviour
Identify and understand different normal feline behaviours
Unit 9 – Understanding Feline Actions
Topics:
Catnip and Presents
Belly up and Halloween cat
Grooming
Catnaps
Food burying and toy dunking
Naughty Tortoiseshells
Grieving
By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:
Know the reasons behind cats showing you their belly, catnaps, grooming and food burying
Identify the Halloween cat stance and understand why cats do it.
Understand why some cats love catnip and why cats bring us presents
Identify what is special about Tortoiseshell cats and learn about grieving in cats
Unit 10 – Common Feline Psychiatric Challenges
Topics:
House soiling
Jumping up
Inappropriate activity
Cat shouting
By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:
Know the different types of inappropriate elimination behaviours
Understand why cats jump up and know how to solve it
Have a clear knowledge of inappropriate activity behaviour
Identify, understand and modify different cat shouting behaviours
Unit 11 – Feline Anxiety, Fear and Aggression
Topics:
Separation anxiety
Fear
Aggression
By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:
Understand separation anxiety in cats and learn possible treatments
Have a clear knowledge of fear and phobias in cats and understand how to treat them
Identify different types of feline aggression
Unit 12 – Rabbit Psychology
Topics:
Domestication
Rabbit talk
Smell
Body language
Normal behaviour
Prey behaviour
Common psychiatric challenges
By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:
Understand how rabbits communicate through smell and sound
Identify the different ways rabbits communicate to other animals and us
Understand rabbit domestication
Learn what a rabbit is saying by the types of sounds they use
Identify the rabbit’s body language
Understand common rabbit behavioural problems and learn possible treatments
Identify prey behaviour in rabbits
What's Included
Many people think of psychology as a human science. However, it is quickly becoming clear that animals are also in need of psychological care. Emotions such as fear, anxiety and aggression are felt just as much by our pets as they are by us. For this reason, it is important for pet owners and animal practitioners to be able to interpret certain behaviour.
This distance learning course has been designed to equip students with the knowledge they need to improve animal wellbeing. From cat and dog communication to rabbit psychology, this course will help learners aid the animal domestication process and prevent possible psychological issues. Altogether there are 12 modules to complete.
This course is perfect for animal lovers of all descriptions. Whether you simply want to better accommodate your own pet, or you want to secure a career working with animals, this animal behaviourist course will help you on your way.
You do not need any prior pet behaviourist qualifications to enrol on this course. You do not even need any experience with animals. All we ask is that you have an interest in animal psychology, a touch of motivation and a way to access our online platform.
On successful completion of this course, you will be able to understand better how pets think and feel and determine why they exhibit certain types of behaviour. If you want to develop your skills, you may choose to study another animal home study course at Stonebridge College.
Animal psychology is a relatively new area so there are plenty of opportunities to be taken hold of. Some require further study while others do not. Some examples of jobs in this sector include, but are not limited to:
For more information about this course, give us a call on this number: 0121 392 8288
On completion of your course, you will receive two certificates:
Animal Psychology Diploma issued by Stonebridge Associated Colleges, to view a sample of the college’s award, please click here.
At the end of this course successful learners will be given the option to receive a Certificate of Achievement from the Quality Licence Scheme and a Learner Unit Summary (which lists the components the learner has completed as part of the course).
The course has been endorsed under the Quality Licence Scheme. This means that Stonebridge Associated Colleges has undergone an external quality check to ensure that the organisation and the courses it offers, meet defined quality criteria. The completion of this course alone does not lead to a regulated qualification* but may be used as evidence of knowledge and skills gained. The Learner Unit Summary may be used as evidence towards Recognition of Prior Learning if you wish to progress your studies in this subject. To this end the learning outcomes of the course have been benchmarked at Level 3 against level descriptors published by Ofqual, to indicate the depth of study and level of demand/complexity involved in successful completion by the learner.
The course itself has been designed Stonebridge Associated Colleges to meet specific learners’ and/or employers’ requirements which cannot be satisfied through current regulated qualifications. The Quality Licence Scheme endorsement involves robust and rigorous quality audits by external auditors to ensure quality is continually met. A review of courses is carried out as part of the endorsement process.
The Quality Licence Scheme is part of the Skills and Education Group, a charitable organisation that unites education and skills-orientated organisations that share similar values and objectives. With more than 100 years of collective experience, the Skills and Education Group’s strategic partnerships create opportunities to inform, influence and represent the wider education and skills sector.
The Skills and Education Group also includes two nationally recognised awarding organisations; Skills and Education Group Awards and Skills and Education Group Access. Through our awarding organisations we have developed a reputation for providing high-quality qualifications and assessments for the education and skills sector. We are committed to helping employers, organisations and learners cultivate the relevant skills for learning, skills for employment, and skills for life.
Our knowledge and experience of working within the awarding sector enables us to work with training providers, through the Quality Licence Scheme, to help them develop high-quality courses and/or training programmes for the non-regulated market.
*Regulated qualification refers to those qualifications that are regulated by Ofqual / CCEA / Qualification Wales
To view a sample of the Certificate of Achievement, please click here.
On completion of this course you will be eligible to join the following Professional Associations(s):
Unit 1 – Pet Evolution
Topics:
Domestication
Selective Breeding
Therapeutic value
Anthromorphism
Pet fashions
Choosing a pet
By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:
Have a clear knowledge of the process of domestication
Know the functions of selective breeding
Identify the different reasons why pets have a good therapeutic value
Understand what Anthromorphism is and how to avoid it
Know how media effects the numbers of unwanted pets
Identify the different questions that need to be answered before having a pet
Unit 2 – Dog Communication
Topics:
Smell
Sound
Body language
By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:
Understand how dogs communicate through smell and sound
Identify the different ways dogs communicate to other animals and us
Understand why dogs urine mark
Know what a dog is saying by the types of sounds they use
Identify the dog’s body language
Unit 3 – Canine Normal Behaviour
Topics:
Puppy behaviour
Meal time manners
Sociology
Senior behaviour
What is normal?
By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:
Have a clear knowledge of Puppy behaviour
Know the different types of behaviour that go on at canine meal times
Understand canine sociology
Have a clear knowledge of senior dog behaviour
Identify and understand different normal canine behaviours
Unit 4 – Understanding Canine Actions
Topics:
Chasing tails
Rolling in unpleasant things
Human to dog communication
Tail between their legs
Eating grass
Rolling over
Mad moments
Circling
Muzzle grabs
By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:
Know the reasons behind dogs, circling, rolling in unpleasant things and mad moments
Identify the different ways humans communicate to dogs
Understand why dogs chase their tails and eat grass
Know how to use muzzle grabs and understand how they work
Identify why dogs roll over showing you their belly
Unit 5 – Common Canine Psychiatric Challenges
Topics:
House soiling
Jumping up
Digging
Barking
By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:
Know the different types of inappropriate elimination behaviours
Understand why dogs jump up and know how to solve it
Have a clear knowledge of digging dog behaviour
Identify, understand and modify different barking canine behaviours
Unit 6 – Canine Anxiety, Fear and Aggression
Topics:
Separation anxiety
Fear
Aggression
By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:
Understand separation anxiety in dogs and learn possible treatments
Have a clear knowledge of fear and phobias in dogs and understand how to treat them
Identify different types of canine aggression
Unit 7 – Cat Communication
Topics:
Smells
Cat talk
Cat Body language
By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:
Understand how cats communicate through smell and sound
Identify the different ways cats communicate to other animals and people
Understand why cats urine mark
Know what a cat is saying by the types of sounds they use
Identify the cat’s body language
Unit 8 – Feline Normal Behaviour
Topics:
Kitten behaviour
Cat lessons
Meal time manners
Sociology
Senior behaviour
What is normal?
By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:
Have a clear knowledge of kitten behaviour
Know the different types of behaviour that go on at feline meal times
Understand feline sociology
Have a clear knowledge of senior cat behaviour
Identify and understand different normal feline behaviours
Unit 9 – Understanding Feline Actions
Topics:
Catnip and Presents
Belly up and Halloween cat
Grooming
Catnaps
Food burying and toy dunking
Naughty Tortoiseshells
Grieving
By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:
Know the reasons behind cats showing you their belly, catnaps, grooming and food burying
Identify the Halloween cat stance and understand why cats do it.
Understand why some cats love catnip and why cats bring us presents
Identify what is special about Tortoiseshell cats and learn about grieving in cats
Unit 10 – Common Feline Psychiatric Challenges
Topics:
House soiling
Jumping up
Inappropriate activity
Cat shouting
By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:
Know the different types of inappropriate elimination behaviours
Understand why cats jump up and know how to solve it
Have a clear knowledge of inappropriate activity behaviour
Identify, understand and modify different cat shouting behaviours
Unit 11 – Feline Anxiety, Fear and Aggression
Topics:
Separation anxiety
Fear
Aggression
By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:
Understand separation anxiety in cats and learn possible treatments
Have a clear knowledge of fear and phobias in cats and understand how to treat them
Identify different types of feline aggression
Unit 12 – Rabbit Psychology
Topics:
Domestication
Rabbit talk
Smell
Body language
Normal behaviour
Prey behaviour
Common psychiatric challenges
By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:
Understand how rabbits communicate through smell and sound
Identify the different ways rabbits communicate to other animals and us
Understand rabbit domestication
Learn what a rabbit is saying by the types of sounds they use
Identify the rabbit’s body language
Understand common rabbit behavioural problems and learn possible treatments
Identify prey behaviour in rabbits
What's Included
Our team of course advisors are keen to help.
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