Animal Behavior Consultant

Module 1 – Theory

Block 1 Biological mechanisms of animal behaviour

• Anatomy and physiology of dogs and cats. Fundamentals of the anatomy and physiology of dogs and cats. Digestive system. Respiratory system. Circulatory system. Endocrine system. The excretory system. The nervous system. Coating system. Reproductive system: female and male. Locomotor system. The most important differences between species. (online classes)
• Neuropsychology and biological mechanisms of animal behaviour. Structure of the nervous system.
• Fundamentals of genetics
• Veterinary prophylaxis. Puppy immunization calendar – according to the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, Standard Program, Early Program, Late Program. Vaccination against rabies. Additional vaccinations. Infectious diseases; distemper, parvovirosis, kennel cough, canine infectious hepatitis (Rubarth’s disease), rabies, feline leukaemia, feline viral rhinotracheitis, feline calicivirosis, feline panleukopenia. Prophylaxis against ecto- and endo-parasites. Parasitic diseases. Vector diseases (transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks).
• Influence of disease on behaviour. Effect of systemic disease on behaviour. Schemes of management and schemas differentiating between behavioural and disease disorders. Pain concept.
• Rhythm of physiological activities. The role of sleep.
• Hormones and their action. Endocrine glands and the hormones they synthesize. The influence of hormones on behavior. The most common disorders of the secretion of endocrine glands in animals; hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, Cushing’s disease. Hormone-dependent neoplastic diseases. The difference between castration and sterilization. Advantages and disadvantages of castration and sterilization.
• Memory, thinking, intelligence.
• Emotions (Jaak Panksepp). Learning-> wanting-> liking system.

Block 2 Fundamentals of ethology

• Basic concepts: behaviourism, behaviour, instinct, drive, motivation, motive, motivational tension, distribution of drives, conflict of drives.
• Stress as a state of mobilization of the whole organism according to Sely’s concept. The concept of homeostasis. Survival strategies and protective activities.
• Emotions – Fear, anxiety, anxiety and phobia, aggression, territorialism – biological basis.
• The concept of well-being in light of the current law.
• The origin of dogs and cats. The domestication process – the latest research. Dominance theory – facts and myths.
• The concept of temperament and personality. Assessment methods (C-BARQ, DMA)

Block 3 The learning process

• Types, processes and mechanisms of learning. Habituation.
• Classical and instrumental conditioning. The square of the reinforcements. Punishment and reward concept. Positivity and negativity of punishments and rewards. Acquisition, extinction and spontaneous renewal, stimulus generalization, stimulus differentiation.
• Ritualization and habits.
• Learned helplessness.
• Learning and behaviour modification theory

Block 4. Behaviour of dogs and cats

• Canine Behavior: Zoosemiotics – Sensory Action and Signal Analysis in the Canine World. Evolution of behaviour and mental development
• Cat Behaviour: Zoosemiotics – Sensory Action and Signal Analysis in the Cat World. Evolution of behaviour and mental development
• Assessment of behaviour and emotional state. Test batteries, individual assessment of the dog using a questionnaire (ratings of individual dog), observational tests and expert ratings of breed prototypes. Use of diagnostic tools: EMRA model (COAPE®), C-BARQ questionnaire, Ethoplanet- Behavioral NEW® questionnaire (Needs – Emotions – Welfare)
• Behaviour Regulation Training (BAT Technique)
• Behaviour analysis

Block 5 Reproduction of dogs and cats

• The decision to breed.
• The breeding association’s powers.
• Sexual maturity in males and females. Ovarian cycle phases in a bitch. Phases of the ovarian cycle in a female cat. Mating.
• The course of pregnancy in a bitch. The course of pregnancy in a female cat. Confirmation of pregnancy.
• Childbirth and its phases. The harbinger of labour. The causes of heavy labour. Disorders of the postpartum period; mastitis, vaginal prolapse, tetany / postpartum eclampsia.
• Substitute milk preparations. Procedure for weaning puppies.
• Socialization of puppies and kittens

Block 6 Behavioral problems of dogs and cats

• Stress – analysis of stressors in everyday life
• Types and causes of aggression in dogs and cats.
• Fear, anxiety, phobias – diagnosis, causes, treatment.
• OCD- causes, the latest reports, treatment.
• Hyperactivity – what is it basically? Diagnostics, causes, treatment
• CDS- diagnosis, causes, treatment.
• Depression- diagnosis, causes, treatment.
• Other behavioural disorders

Block 7 Ways of dealing with specific problems

• Diagnostics
• Interview
• Planning of therapy
• Procedure Algorithms – Ethoplanet Form- Behavioral Diagnostic Algorithm BDA®
• Review of the most common behavioural problems, problem-solving
• Case study
• Problem-solving methods
• Nosework

Block 8 Nutritionist

• Effect of diet on behaviour.
• Obesity and anorexia – influence on behaviour
• Food allergies
• PICA, coprophagia, polyphagia, polydipsia and other digestive disorders
• Food behaviour – food intake. Neophilia and neophobia.
• Diet manipulation
• Supplements

Block 9 Pharmacotherapy of behavioural disorders in dogs and cats

Block 10 Behaviorist work – work with humans and animals. Learning dialogue.

Module 2- Practice

Workshops

• Case studies – diagnosis and problem-solving.
• Zoophysiotherapy: Relaxing massage. Symptoms of dysfunction.
• First aid course for companion animals – resuscitation on a professional phantom.
• Rehabilitation training – practical classes with dogs – OP technique – Counterconditioning and desensitization
• Dog communication – situation assessment – film analysis
• Basics of working with a dog – basics of guidance, environmental manipulations, prevention. Scheme of behaviour change according to S. Friedman. Controlled provocation of a problematic situation. Learning to put on a muzzle and to be in a muzzle. Learning to stay in a playpen / cage / bedding. Use of play in building a relationship with the dog. Learning to have fun.
• Basic Behaviorist Equipment – Learning to use therapeutic and training equipment
• Proceeding in emergency situations, working with an aggressive dog

Work placement (consultation with the client as an apprentice) and apprenticeship in a shelter!

Form of credit: Final examination, theoretical and practical part (thesis with a case). Final work during the conventions.

Subject program of the course:

We spread it in installments! In order to spread the payment in installments, please contact us by e-mail: kontakt@ethoplanet.com

The price includes:

• teaching materials
• behaviorist forms, instructions, interview questionnaires
• suitcase of the behaviorist “Ethoplanet”
• tutor’s care throughout the course
• practical classes with dogs
• practice under the supervision of a leading behaviorist in the form of patient consultations
• First aid course for companion animals (separate certificate issued!)
• Training: Legal basis for keeping a dog or cat (separate diploma issued!) With adv. Karolina Kuszlewicz
• ONE COURSE – 7 CERTIFICATES!
  1. FIRST AID COURSE FOR ACCOMPANYING ANIMALS,
  2. LEGAL BASIS FOR KEEPING A DOG OR CAT,
  3. BEHAVIORIST-ZOOPSYCHOLOGIST ETHOPLANET,
  4. The basics of PET BUSINESS,
  5. ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY FOR BEHAVIORS,
  6. THE THEORY OF LEARNING AND BEHAVIORAL MODIFICATION
  7. BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS
• lunch during stationary meetings
• coffee breaks during stationary meetings
• access to an extensive e-learning zone
• gift package

The first attempt at theoretical and practical exams is included in the price. Each subsequent attempt is payable PLN 150 / exam. Each participant receives a course completion certificate after passing both exams. The certificate entitles you to work in the profession of Zoopsychologist / Behaviorist. The certificate is issued on the model of the Ministry of National Education, and our students receive a separate Ethoplanet diploma.

Number of hours: 350

Number of weekend meetings: 8

Place: Conference and Apartment Center “Mrówka”, Warsaw

IMPORTANT! We form the Ethoplanet Behaviorists community! Only with us, you have free advertising on our website!

* The organizer reserves the right to change the schedule In order to receive the certificate, a copy of the secondary school or university graduation certificate must be provided