Applied Animal Behaviour for Vets
Module 1 Learning Theory
- What is learning? An introduction to learning theories
- The different ways dogs learn
- Habituation
- Classical and operant conditioning
- Stimulus generalisation and stimulus discrimination
- Types of reinforcement
- Vicarious learning
- Learning through experience, trial and error learning and one-trial
learning and the effects on future behaviour
Module 2 The External Environment
- The external factors that can affect the behaviour of animals
- The environment in which the animal lives, and the experiences it
has had
- The interactions between conspecifics and people
- The importance of socialisation in early life
- Scientific research that has been carried out into the social
development of young
- The problems that can occur due to poor socialisation
- The importance of consistency when training animals
- The effects of a kennel environment on behaviour and stress levels
- This module introduces some case studies for analysis to identify
causes of problem behaviour
Module 3 Theory of Mind
- Do animals think?
- Do they experience emotions?
- Do they recognise themselves in a mirror?
- Are they aware of the intentions of others?
- Can we define intelligence and what it means?
- A review of the scientific research that has been carried out on
animal emotions
- An analysis of the selfish gene theory
Module 4 Behavioural Diagnostics
- The many possible causes of a particular behavioural problem (root
causes of behaviour)
- Environment, nature, nurture, pharmacological, physiological
causes, and how more than one of these could be the cause of a problem
- How we can diagnose the cause of behaviour, by asking questions and
analysing the situation
- Drawing on knowledge gained from the previous modules to discuss
all the possible reasons why a dog is behaving in a certain way
- Designing history sheets to use during client consultations
Module 5 Application of Theory
- The way we interact when dealing with dogs, and how our own
behaviour can potentially influence theirs
- Fear and how to deal with it
- Aggression and why it might occur and how to deal with it
- The scientific study of behaviour, including presenting reports,
interpreting data and graphs
- Carrying out an observational study of your own on canine behaviour
- Analysing different methods of dealing with a behavioural problem
to determine the likely success of different approaches
Module 6 Animal Aggression
·
Examines the many
factors that contribute to aggressive behaviour,
·
Defines
aggression
·
Aggression as an
adaptive survival tool and the different approaches utilised by prey and
predator.
·
The effect and
requirements of domestication
·
How breeding for
temperament interacts with natural drives behind aggressive behaviour
·
The neurology of
aggression.
Module 7 Human Animal Bond
·
The human/animal
bond research and has proven to be a fundamental factor when examining
behaviour.
·
The therapeutic
advantages of such a bond with companion animals are becoming more and more
evident with advancing research
·
Understanding of
the neurobiological mechanisms at work are essential part of the education of a
behaviour specialist.
Module 8 Companion Animal Loss
·
Grief as a powerful emotion
·
and companion animal loss inevitably represents
·
Coping with the end of the bond
·
Different people react in different ways to
grief and it is this process that is examined in this module.
Module 9 Attitudes and Ethics
·
How people develop attitudes,
·
What influences their formation and who they
choose to associate with through a common interest is often then reflected in
society’s values and legislature.
·
Strength of opinion can ultimately cause
problems with cultural and religious differences
·
The law and animal rights,
·
It is critical that the student is equipped with
the knowledge to take account of how different people regard their animals.
Module 10 Case Studies
- Analysis of case studies to pull together all the knowledge gained
throughout the course.
- The examination of ten different behavioural problem case studies
- Suggesting how you would go about assessing and solving the
problems.
- Demonstrating knowledge of all factors that might affect canine
behaviour, including learning, genetics, and biological and environmental
factors
- Suggestions for solving problem behaviour
- Production of professional reports and letters to clients and
veterinary professionals
Module 11 Critical Analysis
In this final module students are required to offer a
critical analysis of two 'real' cases that were video recorded. Case notes and
the video material is provided. Critical thinking is crucial skill for all
behaviourists.
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