Learn about:

• Cat communication - domestic and wild cats 

• Cat behaviour training - domestic cats

• Cat behaviour

• Cat business management 

Course duration and pace: 100 hours of self paced study. Start the course at any time and study at a pace to suit you. Take 12 months to complete the course with as much or as little tutor guidance or support as you need. 

Each lessons is comprised of the study text, set tasks for practical and applied learning, and an assignment which provides an opportunity for personal interaction with an expert tutor.

The lessons are:  

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 Rhythms 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 the 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

• Problem Based Learning Project which is designed to help you think about your cat business. Work closely with your tutor for support. 

Course Aims

• 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 for operating your own cat business.

Communicating with Cats

To communicate with cats, you must learn to send them messages which they can comprehend, and also understand messages which they send back to you.

A cat can become very distressed and/or stressed if they are being misunderstood, so it is important to be aware of what their different methods of communication are and what their signals mean. 

Cat communication is the method a cat uses to communicate with other cats, animals and humans. A cat may communicate through movement, posture, noise and chemical signals.  The communication processes a cat uses have been changed by the process of domesticating them into the human world.

Why Study This Course

• The industry desperately needs trained people now! There are not enough people with the formal knowledge for the jobs available. 

• For working directly with cats (in a pet shop, as an animal behaviour consultant or cat trainer etc). 

• For working for any cats protection or welfare agency. Almost every role requires the staff to have developed understanding of cats. 

• To work in control of feral cats or in land based industry. 

• For insights into working with wild cats (eg. lions, tigers) in paid or voluntary posts. 

• To work in self-employment and have credentials and a skills-base to give your customers confidence in your service. 

• To develop some key skills as an online learner. 

What are you waiting for ... the opportunities are limitless!