As well as being an enjoyable course, this is designed to be a serious introduction to the fascinating subject of feline behaviour. Obviously, the subject matter is huge and it would be impossible to cover it all in a course of this size, however more advanced courses are planned.
Course Modules:
2. Sexual Behaviour and Birth
• Reproduction: Asexual and Sexual
• Sexual maturity in cats
• The anatomy of reproduction in the queen
• The behaviour of the queen
• The anatomy of reproduction in the tom
• The behaviour of the tom
• Courtship and mating
• Artificial Insemination
• The Pregnancy
• Birth and problems during the birth
• After the birth
• Problems occurring after the birth
3. Kitten and Young Cat Behaviour and Psychology
• The first few hours of the kitten’s life
• Physical development of the kitten
• Behavioural development of the kitten
• Genetic and environmental influences
• The learning skills including grooming and social learning
• Weaning
• Socialisation
• Classical and Operant Conditioning
• Positive and negative reinforcement
• Natural selection theory
• Innate and learned behaviours
4. Behaviour and Psychology of the Adult Cat
• Development Psychology of the adult cat
• Nature and Nurture debate
• Evolution of the cat
• The feline sense of sight
• The feline sense of smell
• The feline sense of taste
• The feline sense of hearing
• The feline sense of touch
• Maturity: Sexual, Physical and Psychological
• The cat as a social animal
• Cat’s vocal communication
• Multi-modal communication
• The elderly cat
5. Unusual Feline Behaviour
• What is normal feline behaviour
• Innate behaviours
• Unwanted behaviour
• Redirected behaviours
• Stereotyptical behaviours
• Learned helplessness
• Feline psychogenic alopecia
• Feline hyperesthesia
• Feline responses to situations
• The social world of the cat
• Marking territory
• The difference between marking and spraying and inappropriate elimination
• Learned Aggression
• Attacking behaviour
• Fear Aggression
• Behavioural changes in the elderly cat
• Why might a cat learn unwanted behaviour
• How cats learn
6. Avoiding Problem Behaviour
• The effects of early environment on a kitten
• Toilet training
• Playing
• Stress in cats
• Minimising stress
• Introducing other animals
• Introducing children
• Cats and dogs
• Training cats
• How cats learn
• Behaviour shaping
• Clicker training
• An example of clicker training cats
• Punishment
Course Details:
Study Level 3
The study Level relates to the how demanding the course is. 1 is beginner and 5 is HND / Foundation
Degree level.
6 Module Course
This course is delivered in 6 study modules which need to be passed to gain the qualification.
Fees: Including VAT
Course fee – R7920 (includes registration and 6 modules)
or
Pay as you learn option – R1750 registration (once off) and R1210 per module.
