Animal behaviour is a fascinating field, whether you own pets or work with them in a voluntary or professional capacity. It’s also an important area of study, as safely managing animals starts with understanding them.
The Certificate of Animal Behaviour is a professional development program that will help you to understand, anticipate and modify animal behaviour, which is vital for animal psychologists, veterinary assistants, dog groomers, animal trainers, park rangers, pet owners, and farmers.
In this professional development course, you will discover various theories and models of animal behaviour and specific characteristics of different species. You will learn to identify animal behaviour types, understand what drives behaviour and recognise the psychological impact of different handling techniques.
You will also study the role of genetics in behaviour, understand the interactions between different types of animals, as well as gain an understanding of abnormal, reproductive, territorial and social behaviour.
On completion of this course, you will have a solid foundation knowledge of animal behaviour, enabling you to interact safely and effectively as a pet owner or a professional working with animals.
Course Structure
Unit 1 - Introduction: influences and motivation
- Ethology
- What is behaviour
- Purpose of animal behaviour
- What motivates behaviours
- Behaviour types (Reactive, Active, Cognitive)
- Learned behaviours (Classic conditioning, Reinforcement, Extinction, Operant Conditioning, Skinners experiments)
- Other influences (external stimuli, internal stimuli, physiological responses, psychological responses)
- Terminology
- Observing animals
Unit 2 - Genetics and behaviour
- Understanding basics of genetics
- Terminology (eg. alleles, allelomorphs, genes,phenotype, mitosis, homozygous, genotype, etc)
- Environmental affect
- Heritability
- Epigenisis
- Innate behaviour
- Interaction between different species
- Survival
- Case study: inherited traits in horse behaviour
Unit 3 - Animal perception and behaviour
- Animal communication and perception
- How animals perceive things
- Imprinting
- Types of stimuli; Visual, Auditory, Tactile, Chemical
- Monocular and binocular vision
- Terminology
- Neural control
Unit 4 - Behaviour and the environment
- Orthokinesis
- Klinokinesis
- Navigation
- Homeostasis
- Thermoregulation
- Motivation
- Biological Clocks
- Biological clocks
- Sun Compass
- Migration
- Tolerance
- Acclimatisation
- Hibernation
- Sexual and reproductive behaviours
Unit 5 - Social behaviour
- Animal societies
- Aggression
- Fight or flight response
- Social constraints
- Sexual behaviour
- Social order
- Bonding
- Courtship
- Territorial behaviour
- Feeding
- Vocalisations
- Case Studies; birds, dogs
- Terminology
Unit 6 - Instinct and learning
- Shaping
- Extinction and habituation
- Instrumental learning
- Thorndykes Law of Effect
- Operant and respondent behaviour
- Biological aspects of learning
- Cognition
- Associative learning
- Case studies: early learning in dogs, early learning in cats
- Comparative intelligence
Unit 7 - Handling animals
- Domestication of animals
- Problems Handling animals
- Psychological affects of different handling techniques
- Preventing problems with pets
- Training animals (examples: birds, rabbits, horses, cattle etc).
- Terminology
Unit 8 - Behavioural problems
- Abnormal behaviour (eg. psychotic, neurotic)
- Domestication of animals
- Diagnosing behaviour
- Psychotic disorders
- Case study; behavioural problems with cats; various types of aggression and other problems
- Training cats
- Case study; aggression and other problems with dogs
- Training dogs
- Case study; behavioural problems with pigs
- Terminology
Assessment
Assessment Information
When you study with Australian Online Courses, you will be assessed using a competency-based training method.
Competency-based training focuses on the achievement of skills and knowledge against set criteria to meet industry-standard and is not benchmarked against other students’ work.
In this course, the assessment will be comprised of written assignments and exercises, which may include short answer questions, reports, essays, research projects and reflective tasks.
If you do not achieve a competency result on your first attempt, you have two more attempts to pass your assessment. So, you have three attempts in total to obtain a competency result.
In this way, you can complete your course in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- No entry requirements;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support;
- Easy to understand course content;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Certificate of Attainment/Completion issued for your CV (hard copy provided); and
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
How long will it take to complete this course?
The approximate study hours for this course is 50 hours. We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply).
Can I purchase optional printed materials?
While printed materials are not available for purchase, PDF copies are available for download and self-printing for this program.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
Will I receive a certificate upon completion of this course?
Yes! You will receive a Certificate of Attainment upon successful completion of your assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our e-learning system and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
- Kennel Workers
- Pet shop Assistants
- Farm Workers
- Animal Charity Workers
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