Lesson Structure:  Cat Psychology and Training – BAG222

There are 8 lessons:

  1. Nature and Scope of Cat Psychology

• Introduction
• Terminology
• Cat Industries
• Differentiating health and behavioural issues
• Feline Diabetes
• Kidney Disease
• Stress

2.  Cat Senses and Communication

• Understanding Cat communications
• Sounds made by the Cat
• Body Language
• Smell
• Hearing

3. Understanding Natural Behaviour in Cats

• Aggression
• Scratch Fever
• Cat Behavioural Development
• Biological Rythms and Sleep
• Sexual Behaviour
• Maternal Behaviour
• Eating and Drinking

4. Behavioural Disorders/Abnormalities

• Nature or Nurture
• Sensitive Periods
• Neurological Development
• Sleep
• Play
• Cat Temperament Tests
• How Breeds Differ

  5.Basic Training

• Aggression
• Redirected Aggression
• Maternal Aggression
• Ideopathic Aggression
• Dealing with Aggression
• Housebreaking
• Inappropriate Elimination
• Excessive Vocalisation
• Geriatric Dysfunction
• Controlling killing of Wildlife
• Eating Disorders
• Abnormal Suckling
• Separation Anxiety

6.  Obedience Training

• Forming Habits
• Train them Early
• Conditioning
• Operant Conditioning
• Socialisation
• House Training
• Grooming
• Bathing
• Scratching
• Catching Vermin
• Tricks
• Discipline

 7. Cat Behaviour Management

• Cat Doors
• Microchipping and Registering
• Coming when Called
• Energy Release Activities
• Neutering
• Drug Treatment
• Nice Smells
• Getting Used to a Cage
• Managing Climbing

 8. Operating a Cat Business

• PBL Project

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the academy, marked by the academy’s tutor and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Learning Goals:  Cat Psychology and Training –  BAG222

• Understand cat psychology and apply that knowledge to manage and influence the behaviour of cats.
• Describe how cats think, and discuss the relevance of understanding cat psychology to people.
• Explain how cats communicate; and formulate an understanding of possible ways that a human may communicate with a cat.
• Understand behaviours that are natural, hence predictable in cats; and learn to read signals that cats give.
• Explain how cats develop behavioural characteristics throughout stages of their life.
• Describe commonly occurring behavioural problems in cats.
• Describe techniques for training cats
• Implement measures to manage the behaviour of cats.
• Develop knowledge on running your own cat business.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.

General

Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.

Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.

Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.

Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.

Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.

Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.

Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.

Enrolment

Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.

Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.

Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you.

Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.

Assessment

Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.

Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.

Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –

Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.

Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.

Qualifications

Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?

A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.

Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.

Tutors

Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.

Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.

Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.