Certificate of Cat Psychology and Training

Cats are popular pets and fascinating wild animals with a reputation for being fiercely independent and challenging to train. But through understanding feline psychology, you can manage and influence cat behaviour. This course is ideal for cat-lovers and essential for people who work with cats.

The Certificate of Cat Psychology and Training is an online program that will teach you about cat psychology so that you can apply this knowledge to manage and influence the behaviour of cats.

In this professional development course, you will explore cat communication and learn to identify signals that indicate natural behavioural characteristics or problem behaviour.

This course will also cover business skills and knowledge required to operate a successful business with cats, such as a pet shop, cat café, cattery or a breeding or cat grooming business.

On completion of this course, your knowledge of cat behaviour will enable you to respond appropriately to manage cats in a personal or professional capacity.

Printed learning materials may be available free to print for this course. Requests can be made by contacting us.

Course Structure

Unit - Cat Psychology and Training

Unit 1 – Nature and scope of cat psychology

Cat nature and history of domestication
Terminology
Nature and scope of cat psychology
Introduction to cat behaviour
- Instinct
- Intelligence
- Cognition
- Sentience
Terminology
Cat industries
Differentiating between health and behavioural issues
Naming a cat

Unit 2 – Cat senses

Understanding communication
Vocalisation
Body Language and posture
Other behaviours
Senses
- Sight
- Smell
- Hearing
- Cat’s whiskers

Unit 3 – Understanding natural cat behaviour

The nature of cats
Aggression
Offensive, defensive postures
Overt aggression
Biological rhythms and sleep
Kinds of cat sleep
Sexual behaviour
Maternal behaviour
Eating and drinking
Reasons why cats stop eating and drinking

Unit 4 – Cat behavioural development

Nature or nurture cats
Behavioural characteristics
Sensitive periods
Neurological development
Summary of early cat development
Sleep
Play
Cat temperament tests
Personality types
How different breeds differ

Unit 5 – Cat behavioural problems

Aggression
Medical conditions
Redirected aggression
Maternal aggression
Idiopathic aggression
Dealing with aggression in cats
Housebreaking
Inappropriate elimination
Excessive vocalisation
Geriatric dysfunction
Controlling and killing wildlife
Eating disorders
Abnormal suckling
Separation anxiety

Unit 6 – Basic cat training

Forming habits
Train them early
Conditioning
Operant conditioning
Socialisation
House training
Grooming
Bathing cats
Scratching furniture
Jumping on kitchen counters
Catching vermin
Tricks
Discipline for owners

Unit 7 – Cat behaviour management

Cat doors
Microchipping and registering
Moving house
Coming when called
Energy release activities
Neutering
Behavioural disorders
Smells
Getting used to a cage
Managing climbing
Introducing a new cat into the household
Cats with babies and children
Introducing a dog
Cats and other cats

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.

Approval and Recognition

Australian Online Courses Pty Ltd is an approved and recognised member of IARC. The IARC is an International association that recognises quality and excellence in tertiary education providers.

Career Outcomes

Professional Development for:-

Cat Owners
Pet Shop Staff
Veterinary Assistants
Animal Control Officers

Was an excellent experience, I enjoyed the course very much.