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CERTIFICATE IN ANIMAL PSYCHOLOGY VAG114

Duration (approx) 600 hours
Qualification Certificate

Learn to improve animal behaviour by studying principles of psychology

  • Train to work with animals.
  • Learn more about psychology, dog psychology, cat psychology, equine behaviour and animal behaviour in general.
  • There are 4 core modules of Animal Behaviour, Introduction to Psychology, Dog Psychology, Cat Psychology and Training and Equine Behaviour. Then specialise with the selection of 2 modules from a range of elective modules.

Modules

Core ModulesThese modules provide foundation knowledge for the CERTIFICATE IN ANIMAL PSYCHOLOGY VAG114
 ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR BAG203
 CAT PSYCHOLOGY AND TRAINING BAG222
 DOG PSYCHOLOGY AND TRAINING BAG221
 EQUINE BEHAVIOUR BAG216
Elective ModulesIn addition to the core modules, students study any 2 of the following 6 modules.
 ANIMAL GROOMING BAG106
 ANIMAL HEALTH CARE VAG100
 ANIMAL WELFARE BAG224
 NATURAL ANIMAL HEALTH CARE BAG218
 PET THERAPY BPS221
 ZOO KEEPING BEN208

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Understand how and why animals behave as they do

  • Learn about animal behaviour - external influences, motivation, perception.
  • Improve your knowledge of animal psychology.
  • This is an ideal course for those who wish to work with animals or who want to understand animal behaviour and train animals.
  • Course duration: 600 hours of self paced study.  Start at any time and study at your own pace.

Students will study 4 Core (compulsory) modules and select 2 Elective modules.  Please click on the links below for more information on each individual module.  Each module is available to study individually as a short course in its own right.

 

WHY STUDY ANIMAL PSYCHOLOGY?

Anyone who has a pet or works with animals in any capacity, will benefit from understanding more about how animals think and behave. This applies equally to any type of animal; whether in captivity or running free, whether in a home, on a farm, or in the wild.

People tend to have empathy with animals. They look at another living thing, and unconsciously (or sometimes consciously) think that the only difference between themselves and the animal is their inability to talk to each other. Animals are however different to people. They have different bodies, different brains, different instincts and their natural behaviours will not always be intentional in the same way that we think of actions being intentional.

Do Animals Understand Human Language?

The short answer is no. It is questionable whether even primates which have been trained to respond to human language actually understand any language. Most likely, they are responding to rewards.  On a daily basis, different forms of interaction and communication between humans and other animals can be observed. When a human speaks to an animal, the animal does not understand individual words but it can be trained to interpret the message the human is trying to convey.

Communication between animals and humans occurs both ways; a human will express its own desires by using words, tone of voice and body language (which is how an animal can interpret a humans command), while humans have acquired the ability to learn to “read” an animal’s expression by its sounds, gestures and behaviour.

An example of differentiation can be between the bark of a dog when it’s angry and the same dog barking when it’s playing. Another is when a human simply tells its dog to “go outside” with a calm tone of voice (the dog will obey and it will know it is meant to go outside and everything is still fine), and a human yelling at its dog to “go outside” with a loud tone of voice (the dog will feel like it’s done something wrong and it will step outside ashamed and sorry). The main point here is - how does that dog know what “go outside” means? This is when intelligence falls into place; the dog will be capable of understanding what the person means due to being repeatedly told and shown to go outside, and/or by an added expression which may be demonstrated by pointing the way out with an extended arm and finger (along with a serious facial grimace).

Another example can be noted by humans and horses during equestrian training and spectacles. A horse will learn to interpret what its rider wishes it to do by specific commands expressed through the legs, hands, voice and seat, also referred to as “rider’s aids”. The horse’s response will vary depending on the intensity of each command (e.g. a slight touch of the leg). A relaxed and effortless posture, on the other hand, will enable the rider to absorb and interpret the horse’s movements, as well as to “read into” any objection the horse has towards these commands.

Use this course to:

  • Enhance a career or business you are already involved with.
  • Prepare for a new career or business; improve employment prospects.
  • Lay a foundation for more advanced studies in animal management or psychology.

If you have any questions ...

You can enrol at any time and as you determine when you study, you can fit your studies around your existing life and work commitments.

If you have any questions, or to find out more get in touch with us today.

Phone us on (UK) 01384 442752 or (International) +44 (0) 1384 442752, or submit your questions to our specialist Animal and Psychology tutors - they will be happy to help you in choosing the right course to suit your own career goals.

Courses can be started anytime from anywhere in the world!

Meet some of our academics

Tracey Jones (psychology)B.Sc. (Hons) (Psychology), M.Soc.Sc (social work), DipSW (social work), PGCE (Education), PGD (Learning Disability Studies) Tracey began studying psychology in 1990. She has a wide range of experience within the psychology and social work field, particularly working with people with learning disabilities. She is also qualified as a teacher and now teaches psychology and social work related subjects. She has been a book reviewer for the British Journal of Social Work and has also written many textbooks, blogs, articles and ebooks on psychology, writing, sociology, child development and more. She has had also several short stories published.
Alison Pearce (animal)B.Sc.(Hons) in Animal Science. Masters Degree in Ecotourism. P.G.Cert. Ed. (Science). Alison's first job was in 1982 as a stockwoman, working with pigs in Yorkshire. Within a few years she of that she was working for the University of Western Australia as a Research Technician and instructor with their school of Agricultural Science.In 1989 she moved to Melbourne University as Unit Manager and Instructor in Animal Husbandry. By the mid 1990's she moved back to England to work in Animal Care and Veterinary Nursing at Cambridgeshire College of Agriculture. Throughout her career, Alison has developed and delivered courses in veterinary nursing and animal sciences for vocational colleges and universities in Australia, New Zealand and Australia. She has built a high level of expertise and an outstanding international reputation as an expert in animal sciences.


Check out our eBooks

Animal PsychologyExplore how animals think and comare how this differs between different animals (and humans)
Horse CareThis book is an accumulation of information from biology, agricultural science and veterinary medicine. It looks to explore and explain the fundamentals of appropriate horse care aims and techniques. In doing so it will consider horsemanship as a combination of art and science.
Animal HealthUnderstand animal health issues, diseases and how identify and manage illnesses and injuries. Animals can become sick for many different reasons -diseases caused by infections, injuries, poisoning, genetic disorders, poor nutrition and other things.
Caring for DogsA book for both students and dog owners. This book has been designed to complement our dog care and pet care courses; but also to provide a sound foundation for choosing the right breed, and caring for a dog whether as a pet, or a working animal. Contents cover Breeds, Creating a healthy home for dogs, legal issues, dog biology, recognising poor health, parasites, illnesses, nutrition, reproduction, dog psychology, behavioural development, training tips, behaviour problems, grooming, working in the dog industry, and more.