Dr Freddie Hurly, a veterinarian with a special interest in Companion Animal behaviour, presents this course.

The Basic Animal Behaviour Course: Cats is essentially done through correspondence with the optional attendance of a two-day seminar. Most of the students who enrol for this course work full-time and the course is therefore designed to be done on a part-time basis.  Being a private company Ethology Academy is very flexible. As long as students communicate with us we are usually able to accommodate them in various ways should personal circumstances develop during the year which make it difficult for them to continue with their studies and complete the course successfully.

The Basic Cat Course is recommended by both the South African Board for Companion Animal Professionals and the Animal Behaviour Consultants of South Africa.

The Basic Cat course is a pre requisite for enrolling for the Advanced Cat Course.

The Basic Animal Behaviour Course: Cats is also recognised and accepted by ThinkingPets as a qualifying course for the ‘Diploma in the practical Aspects of Companion Animal Behaviour and Training’ or ‘CDPDipCABT Advanced Diploma).

The content of the Basic Behaviour course: Cats is divided into four modules:

• Introduction and approaches to the study of animal behaviour.
• Ethological Approach
• Experimental or instrumental approach. (This section deals with the way animals learn and the different conditioning techniques that are used in training of animals)
• The developmental approach (Pre-natal – Ageing, development calendar)
• The Physiological approach (the nervous and endocrine systems as well as pheromones)
• Social behaviour (groups, relationships, factors influencing rank, social spaces and communication)
• Problem behaviour and possible resolutions
• Contextual assessment
• Assessment by classification of behaviour problems
• Assessment of animal welfare
• Assessment of responsible companion animal ownership
• Resolutions:
• Indirect approach
• Direct approach
• A report for record purposes
• Applied cat behaviour
• Genetic background ( domestication and breed traits)
• Behaviour background
• Most common behaviour problems
• Care and welfare of cats including human-animal interaction, genetic selection for breed purposes, nutrition, exercise, training, social needs, environmental enrichment, transport, hygiene and preventative measures, handling, breeding and housing facilities

How the course is presented:

To enable students from all walks of life and all areas of the country to enrol for this course, the course is presented by normal correspondence (via the South African Postal Service). This has proven to be a reliable method and very easy for the student to manage. Exceptions will be made for students with special needs to do the assignments via e-mail.

After enrolling, the student receives all the study material via registered mail. Included will be “Student Letter” giving detailed information on every aspect of the course. Also included will be eight assignments (two on every module) each with an addressed envelope to make submitting them as convenient as possible.

Assignments:

The student will be expected to submit eight assignments during the period March to October.  The assignments will be marked and returned to the students. The marks obtained for the 8 assignments constitute the year mark, which will give the student entrance to write the final examination in November. The assignments are not difficult, because all the answers are in the notes. It should not take more than 2 – 3 hours to complete an assignment.

Final evaluation;

A formal examination will be scheduled for early November. It consists of a two-hour paper and the pass mark is 50%. To pass the exam requires a fair amount of studying and insight. Students are therefore advised to start well in advance with their examination preparation. Students will be able to sit for the exam at a venue in close proximity to where they live.

NB:
In addition to the content of the study material, we recommend purchasing a book on different cat breeds as the study material does not include information on specific breeds. Make sure to buy one that pays attention to the typical temperament of the breed.

Seminars:

Students are also invited to attend a two-day seminar. Cat seminars are annually hosted Pretoria (30 & 31 July) Banana Beach (close to Port Shepstone, 9 & 10 October), Cape Town (26 & 27 August) and Port Elizabeth (10 & 11 September). These dates are not yet final. Students can attend any one of the seminars. Attendance is not compulsory (students are not penalised for not attending) but highly recommended. The attendance fee for the seminars is included in the enrolment fee, but students are responsible for their own travel and accommodation expenditures.

Registration and Fee:

Registration for this course takes place from 7 January to 28 February every year. The enrolment fee for the Basic Behaviour Courses for 2010 is R5000-00 VAT inclusive. The fee includes the study material, attendance of the seminar and the examination fee. 

Enrol here

Do not hesitate to get in touch should you need more information.