The Diploma in Animal Behaviour is only available to students who have successfully completed one of the COAPE Beginner or Intermediate courses OR show evidence of learning to an approved equivalent standard or beyond. Please don’t hesitate to ask us is your qualification entitles you to enrol for the Diploma.
What the student will learn
The COAPE Diploma in Animal Behaviour is accredited as a Continuing Professional Development course by the South African Veterinary Council.
SAVC CPD ACCREDITED: CPD points for SAVC accredited courses are valid for qualified veterinarians and para-veterinary personnel in S.A.
Course Content
Unit 1
Dog domestication (including ethology of the dog, their perceptual abilities, social behaviour and selective breeding for function ((predatory motor patterns)), as well as how this impacts their behaviour today).
Cat domestication (including ethology of the cat, their perceptual abilities, social and predatory behaviour).
Type classification.
Behavioural Ontogeny: The emotional and behavioural development of puppies and kittens, including sensitive periods of development and key behavioural milestones.
Dominance in dogs.
Unit 2
Functional neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology – the nervous system and its role in behaviour, including neural plasticity.
Neurotransmitters and their relevance in behaviour.
Learning Theory (operant and classical conditioning, habituation, sensitization, schedules of reinforcement, non-associative learning, desensitization and counter-conditioning).
Understanding signals of reward and non-reward, using clickers and reward markers in behavioural therapy.
The ethics of punishment and why it has no place in modern behaviour therapy.
Unit 3
CORE emotional states in animals and their relevance in modern behavioural practices.
The Neuroscience of CORE emotional states.
The Science of Emotionality: Core affect space, dimensional and discrete emotion theories.
MHERA™: an emotional and behavioural wellness assessment protocol.
Cognitive Bias.
The Behavioural Inhibition System.
MHERA™ Applied.
Introduction to ESTA™ (Emotional Systems Therapeutic Application).
ESTA™ Applied – helping animals resolve emotional challenges.
Unit 4
Psychopathology of Animals: anxiety and depression.
Epidemiology and Classification in humans.
Physiological Mechanisms and Pathology.
MHERA™ and ESTA™ Applied: Marking in Cats.
MHERA™ and ESTA™ Applied: Separation Related Distress.
Risk assessment for the Practitioner.
Learned Helplessness or Default Passivity.
Control and Consent.
Unit 5
Behavioural pharmacology for cats and dogs (classifications, uses and limitations as well as legislation).
Biological mechanisms of Pharmacology.
MHERA™ and ESTA™ Applied: Aggression.
General dietary influences on behaviour for dogs and cats.
Diet Manipulation for dogs.
How to conduct a consultation.
Professional conduct.
Report writing: Behaviour modification programs and vet reports.
Unit 6
Two Case Studies, where students are required to explore complex behaviours and interventions.
The field of animal behaviour and training plays a crucial role in enhancing our understanding of animals’ cognitive processes, emotions, and behaviours. The final Module of the COAPE Diploma in Animal Behaviour offers a comprehensive exploration of this field by requiring students to successfully complete two Case Studies. These Case Studies serve as a practical application of theoretical knowledge, providing valuable insights into the complexities of animal behaviour and the interventions required to address challenges. The COAPE Diploma in Animal Behaviour’s final Case Studies exemplify the program’s commitment to providing students with the practical skills and knowledge required to navigate these complexities. These case studies underscore the multifaceted nature of behavioural challenges and the importance of considering various factors in crafting bespoke and effective interventions. By completing these case studies, students gain a deeper appreciation for the ethical and evidence-based approaches to animal behaviour modification, contributing to the broader advancement of animal welfare and understanding.
COAPE prides itself on keeping up to date with the latest developments in the field of Animal Behaviour and making sure that our course content is always cutting edge. As such, the content and format are often updated as the field expands. Rest assured though that any changes will be incorporated into the students’ current courses.
