Pet Psychology Course

Course overview

A badly-behaved pet can cause a breakdown in a relationship which could otherwise be rewarding and positive. This course looks at the natural instincts and behaviours of a wide range of pets, along with their suitability to their owners. You will learn how these animals think and feel and why an animal exhibits ‘bad’ behaviour. The course is ideal for all pet owners and animal welfare workers, as well as students looking to provide a professional service in an ever-growing market for pet psychologists.

Syllabus

Lesson One

Introduction/Dogs

Meeting the Needs of Pets
Dogs
Introduction
Owner Suitability
Choosing an Appropriate Breed
Buying a Dog
Settling in a New Dog
Training
Psychological Problems in Dogs

Lesson Two

Dogs (Continued)

Separation Anxiety
Meaning and Sound
Hyper-Emotionality
The Dominant Dog

Lesson Three

Dogs (Continued)

Submissive Urination
Aggression
Jealousy
Barking
Scooting
Tail Chasing
Encountering Unfamiliar Dogs
Strengthening Bonds

Lesson Four

Cats

Introduction
Owner Suitability
Choosing an Appropriate Breed
Buying a Cat
Settling in a New Cat
Training
Litter Training
Coming to Call
Discouraging Hunting
Clawing and Scratching
Psychological Problems in Cats
Inappropriate Spraying/Defecation
Coprophagia
Wool Sucking
Normal v Abnormal Behaviour

Lesson Five

Cats (Continued)/ Rabbits and Rodents

Overly Aggressive Behaviour
Antisocial Behaviour
Over-Social Behaviour
Neuroses
Similarities between Cats and Dogs
The Needs of Rabbits and Rodents

Lesson Six

Horses

Introduction
Owner Suitability
Choosing an Appropriate Breed
Buying a Horse
Spooking
Bucking and Rearing
Refusal to Accept Commands
Training
Pica Behaviour
Equine Self-Mutilation Syndrome (ESMS)
Foal Rejection

Lesson Seven

Horses (Continued)/ Birds

Headshaking
Trailering
Birds
Introduction
Owner Suitability
Choosing an Appropriate Breed
Buying a Bird
Settling In a New Bird

Lesson Eight
- Birds (Continued)/ Iguanas/ Pet Therapy
  - Anxiety
  - Boredom
  - Aggression
  - Jealousy
  - Resolving Behavioural Problems
  - Training
  - Talking
  - Iguanas
  - Stress
  - Sexual Aggression
  - Pet Therapy

Practical training

No practical training is required to complete this course.

Prerequisites

You do not need to have any additional qualifications before studying this course.

Level

On successful completion of this course you will have received professional training at level 3. This is ideal if you wish to start a practice, or expand a career.

Certification

On successful completion students will receive dual awards: Award 1- The professional BSY Pet Psychology Diploma and will become a Registered BSY Pet Psychology Practitioner.

Award 2- Certificate of achievement at Level 3 from ABC Awards and Certa Awards. Registration through BSY is essential with this course.

How the course works

Upon enrolment you receive your first course lessons.

You can study in your own time, at your own pace and from the comfort of your own home. If you have any questions, or would like feedback or encouragement about your course or your studies then you can contact our friendly tutors by phone, email or post.

At the end of each lesson are a set of questions. Completing these can aid your learning and help you master each step before moving on to the next. Your next lesson will then arrive for you to continue when it suits you.

Having progressed through each lesson you can take your final examination at home, and at a date and time that suits you. Then, on successful completion you will be awarded your BSY certificate.

Additional benefits

Health and Harmony Magazine
Enrol on this course and you will receive a complimentary issue of Health & Harmony, our inspirational full colour magazine. Giving complementary and natural health updates and news, it also includes student profiles, lists the most recent award winners, and provides interesting articles and short stories.

Professional Indemnity Insurance
Once you have successfully completed this course, you will be eligible for Professional Indemnity Insurance which protects you as a practitioner against professional public liability and malpractice. This insurance cover is considered essential in protecting the interests of both practitioners and the public.

Enrol on this course from £50

There are two ways you can enrol on this course. You can:

Pay with a deposit of £50, followed by 11 monthly instalments of £35
or
Pay the total course fee of £435 in one sum and receive a voucher towards the cost of your next course