Higher Canine Behaviour and Psychology - Diploma

The aim of this course is to build on students' knowledge of the canine world. It is designed to equip participants with a more advanced understanding of how and why dogs behave the way they do.... [ Read more ]


Availability: In Stock

£522.00

Registration Fee: £33.00

Product code: CSC-HCANBP



The aim of this course is to build on students' knowledge of the canine world. It is designed to equip participants with a more advanced understanding of how and why dogs behave the way they do. It also teaches how to look beyond the physical requirements and consider psychological needs as well.

Although applications are welcomed from all, you should be aware that this is an academically demanding course with much psychological theory and life long experience of dogs is not usually sufficient to enrol directly on to this course (applicants would be at an advantage if they have successfully completed the canine behaviour and psychology programme).

All applicants for this course should discuss it with Compass first.

As well as being of interest to dog owners this course will be of particular use to anybody considering a career working with dogs.

Course Module
1. The Canine Brain and Senses
  • The canine central nervous system
  • Basic brain structure and functions
  • Structure of the dog's brain: Forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain
  • Anthropomorphism
  • Canine senses
  • The use of proprioceptors
  • Control of overheating
  • Control of overcooling
  • Structure of the ear and hearing
  • Structure of the eye and vision
  • Structure of the nose and the sense of smell
  • Canine taste
  • The sense of touch
  • The reflex arc
2. Canine Learning
  • Charles Darwin's biological adaptations
  • The nature verses nurture debate
  • Environmental influences on behaviour
  • Canine learning
  • The parental influences on learning
  • Critical and sensitive periods of the puppy's development
  • Classical conditioning
  • Chaining
  • Instrumental or operant conditioning
  • Reward and punishment in learning
  • Reinforcers and punishment in learning
  • Primary and secondary reinforcers
  • Reinforcement schedules
  • Shaping behaviour
  • Sensitisation
  • Cultural transmission
  • The importance of play
  • Insight learning
  • Habituation
3. Canine Communication
  • Advantages and disadvantages of chemical communication
  • Advantages and disadvantages of visual communication
  • Advantages and disadvantages of auditory communication
  • Advantages and disadvantages of tactile communication
  • The social need for communication
  • Communication by scent
  • Various auditory methods of communication
  • Communication by visual means
  • Facial expressions
  • The importance of eyes
  • The importance of the tail in communicating
  • The hackles
  • Play
  • Tactile communication
4. Social Behaviour and Territoriality
  • Living in groups
  • What is a pack?
  • The benefits of pack life
  • The drawbacks of pack life
  • Effective Communication
  • Good and poor commands and their meanings
  • Allelomimetic behaviour
  • Social rules
  • Group dynamics
  • Territoriality
  • Possessiveness
  • Jealousy
5. Dog Training
  • Why train dogs?
  • The senses and training
  • Schedules of reinforcement
  • Primary and secondary reinforcers revisited
  • Choice of primary reinforce
  • Benefits of using positive reinforcement
  • Putting the theory into practice
  • Basic training of house training, the recall, the sit, sit/stand and progressing to heel with problems and solutions
  • The advantages and disadvantages of using Clicker Training
  • Summary of training principles
6. Behaviour Problems and Solutions
  • How dogs learn
  • Diet related behaviour problems
  • Health related behaviour problems
  • Habit or compulsion with behaviour problems
  • Zoochotic behaviour
  • Extreme cases of learned helplessness
  • Gathering information through diaries and questionnaires for new and existing owners
  • Destructive behaviour
  • Fear and anxiety in the dog
  • Separation anxiety
  • Fouling and the reasons it may happen
  • Aggression
  • Digging behaviour
  • Chasing cars
Study Level 4
  • The study Level relates to the how demanding the course is. 1 is beginner and 5 is HND / Foundation Degree level.
  • 6 Module Course
  • This course is delivered in 6 study modules which need to be passed to gain the qualification.
    All Compass Education Ltd courses are written by industry experts and provided exclusively in the UK by Compass, they are not available anywhere else. Courses are unique to Compass and accredited by Ofqual regulated Awarding Bodies and/or Industry Professional Bodies as indicated in each course description. In common with the overwhelming majority of private educational provision in this sector they are not a part of the RQF or SCQF and they do not appear on Ofqual's register of qualifications.
  • Reviews

    No reviews were found.
    Top