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 an online 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 animal behaviour 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 - Animal Behaviour
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
Study Hours
Estimated duration 50 Hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% Online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Testimonials
Studying with Australian online courses was a pleasure, and the flexibility of the course was amazing
A.Hermann, Takura, QLD | Certificate of Animal Behaviour
Was amazing and highly recommended this course!
K. McCarthy, Mareeba, QLD | Certificate of Animal Behaviour
I thoroughly enjoyed my experience studying with AOC. Time frame for completion was very generous, notes for the course were comprehensive
D. Granger, Greenvale, VIC | Certificate of Animal Behaviour
The lesson plans were comprehensive and informative, and I enjoyed attempting the assignments and self-assessments.
S. Upendra, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India | Certificate of Animal Behaviour
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrol Online: Click Add to Cart/View Cart on the course page.
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Enrol via Purchase Order/Tax Invoice
Enrolling Multiple Staff?
To enrol multiple staff, please complete the Employer Enrolment Form. We’ll be in touch within 60 minutes during business hours!
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and Direct Deposit.
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;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18. In some circumstances, enrolments from younger people may be considered. Please complete the AOC Parent Guardian Consent Form prior to enrolling and submit here.
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.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS 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 only 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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