COURSES

EXCITING NEW COURSES FROM THE CENTRE OF APPLIED PET ETHOLOGY (COAPE) IN THE UK ARE NOW BEING OFFERED IN SOUTH AFRICA FOR THE FIRST TIME!

South Africa is professionalizing fast, especially in terms of Behaviour and Training in the Companion animal fields, and ThinkingPets Behaviour Practice is leading the way. COAPE's cutting edge Diploma in Practical Aspects of Companion Animal Behaviour and Training (www.coape.org) is also leading the way in behaviour in the UK and elsewhere. ThinkingPets' Karin Landsberg has completed COAPE's Diploma, and ThinkingPets is also one of Dr Peter Neville's consulting practices in South Africa. (www.pneville.com)

Internationally the modern approach to behaviour and training is evolving fast and moving away from treating pets with behaviour problems as having diseases and in need of medication or punishment. We are also moving away from treating each case in the same way using standardized treatment, and into a much more advanced and scientific based approach.

New individual approaches in the UK take account of all the aspects involved in the owner/dog relationship as well as each individual pet's development and history when assessing and addressing problems. Another really big step forward is that science is now taking the emotionality of pets and owners alike into consideration when looking at behaviour problems.

This new approach means working with all owners and their pets over a period of time to assist in resolving behaviour problems. This service has never been more needed in times when aggressive dogs especially are on increase and the human demands on pets are increasing and diversifying into not only the psychological relationships, but also when expecting our dogs to fulfill complex (and often contradicting) roles such as being our guard dogs and companion family animals at the same time.


The Centre for Applied Pet Ethology in the UK (Coape) has a long and well established history with some of the most prominent key players in the field of Animal Behaviour and training as their Directors. For more information on this, please visit www.coape.org.

The courses offered by COAPE (and now, ThinkingPets Behaviour Practice) are accredited by the UK NOCN, a huge awarding body for on-going education in the United Kingdom. The NOCN is famous for their high standards and properly run system, and this accreditation is internationally recognized. (www.nocn.org.uk)

The COAPE/ThinkingPets Behaviour Practice ethos is to improve the lives of companion animals and their owners through a better understanding of the behaviour of pets, and a professional appreciation of their emotional needs.

ThinkingPets Behaviour Practice is proud to launch COAPE's "Think Cat" and "Introduction into Canine Behaviour and Training" courses in South Africa in March 2008.

CO3: THINK CAT

This constantly updated six unit course can be successfully completed by anyone who is genuinely interested in developing a close and satisfying relationship with their cats. It will also provide an excellent basis for further study, and successful students automatically fulfil the qualification requirements for the CDP COAPE Diploma Course.

This course will enable you to understand the more subtle aspects of feline behaviour and the human-feline relationship, and enable you to look at what cats do in a different light. The knowledge gained can greatly enhance the pleasure that you can get from any feline/human relationship and help others to do the same, whatever your current involvement with cats.

WHAT THE STUDENT WILL LEARN:

Unit 1: Introduction. History of man's relationship with cats, understanding owner attitudes.

Unit 2: Feline design as a hunter: how the predator relates to its environment, senses and cognition.

Unit 3: Psychology of how cats learn; instinctive behaviour, early development.

Unit 4: Social behaviour of cats. Understanding Feline/Human and feline/feline relationships.

Unit 5: How to approach feline behaviour problems and treat inappropriate elimination.

Unit 6: Aggression problems.

Special Study: A Research based project of the student's choice.

COURSE DETAILS

Course Type: Correspondence.
Course Duration: Nine Months
Course Cost: OCN registration + Course fee = R6 000


CO4: INTRODUCTION TO CANINE BEHAVIOUR AND TRAINING

An Advanced Award for vet nurses, trainers and anyone working with dogs wanting to know more about dogs, the human/canine relationship and how to run exceptional dog training classes.

Our understanding of canine behaviour and the various relationships that we enjoy with our dogs is advancing rapidly. This constantly updated course is designed to provide the very latest information for those keen to study dogs and apply their new understanding in a professional capacity.

For example, what makes a successful dog training class? Fulfilling what the owners' want - a sociable and well trained dog where both get the very best out of the relationship. Author Val Strong is an international expert in training Emergency Response dogs for people with Epilepsy and other complex medical conditions. Val also has many years experience in the training and rehabilitation of problem dogs and is an expert in the effects of diet on canine behaviour and training. Val has been training dogs for 15 years and now encapsulates all her expertise and knowledge in this CANINE BEHAVIOUR AND TRAINING course.

In this course you will learn:

- Basic, essential dog training techniques; the core of any successful class.
- How to motivate owners.
- Running successful puppy classes.
- How to accommodate special needs dogs or owners into your training classes.
- How to successfully promote and market your business.
- Practical opportunities to work in a training class.


If you are already running a training class, or thinking of starting one, then this course is for you. Packed full with fresh and practical techniques, advice and ideas that cut to the quick of running great dog training classes, this course will give you the resources you need to kick start your business.

This nine month course can be completed by anyone who wants to gain an insight into how to structure and run successful dog training classes and successful students automatically fulfill the qualification requirements for the CDP COAPE Diploma course or the ThinkingPets Behaviour Practice Advance Certificate in Companion Animal Behaviour and Training.

WHAT THE STUDENT WILL LEARN:

Unit 1:
Man's best friend. History of man's relationship with dogs. Breeds and types. Dominance - the myths. Developmental biology.

Unit 2:
Why, when and How? Choosing a venue. Home visits vs. Class training. Safety first.

Unit 3:
Both ends of the lead. Teaching and Learning styles. Client needs. Special dogs. Owner expectations. Motivation. Progression.

Unit 4:
How dogs learn and factors affecting learning. Learning theory. Clicker training. Effects of Diet. Basic neurophysiology. Emotionality.

Unit 5:
Training vs. Behaviour. Difficult dogs and difficult owners. Aggression. Case histories.

Unit 6:
Special Study. A personal study concerning any aspect of dog training.

COURSE DETAILS:

Course type: Correspondence + 3 weekend lectures + practical dog training sessions.

Course Duration: 9 months

Course Cost: OCN registration deposit + Course fee: R6 000