Animal Behaviour and Psychology Short Course

Sneak Peek

Learn about animal behaviour

What's going on in the animal brain.

• What's the difference between a domesticated cat and a feral cat?
• Can animals feel joy and sadness?
• How do animals show anger?
• Learn how to decode animal behaviours with this short course. .  

There are general, broad factors at play though in any animal species. Getting to know those factors is the basis for dealing with those animals more appropriately, whether in the wild or captivity.

Covering everything from instincts and ritualised behaviours through to domestication, Animal Behaviour and Psychology provides a solid foundation in the workings of how animals think. Excellent for anyone owning a pet, working on a farm, in a zoo, a wildlife refuge, in animal control, in vet care, and more.

Lesson Structure

There are 8 lessons in this course:

1. Introduction to Animal Behaviour
   • Interpreting Animal Behaviour
   • Descriptions of Animal Behaviour
   • Factors that Influence Behaviour
   • Additional Reading (Goats, Cats, Dogs)
2. Animal Perception and Cognition
   • Introduction
   • Perception
   • Sight
   • Hearing
   • Smell
   • Taste
   • Touch
   • Dexterity
   • Cognition
   • Additional Reading (Animal Perception, Types of Stimuli)
3. Innate or Native Behaviours
   • Innate Behaviours
   • Instincts
   • Fixed Action Patterns
   • Innate Releasing Mechanisms
   • Ritualised Behaviours
   • Maturation
   • Feeding Behaviour
   • Other Eating and Drinking Adaptations
   • Orientation
   • Locomotion
   • Biological Rhythms
   • Sexual Behaviour
   • Reproduction
   • Additional Reading (Feeding Cats, Dog and Cat Obesity, Sexual Behaviour, What Animals Eat)
4. How Animals Learn
   • What is the Point of Learning?
   • Types of Animal Learning
   • Environment and Learning
   • How Instincts and Learnt Behaviour are Related
   • Animal Attachments
   • Animal Parenting
   • Additional Reading (Why Animals Learn, Equine Behaviour, Conditioning)
5. Specific Types of Animal Behaviour
   • Mating
   • Social Behaviour
   • Dominance
   • Territoriality
   • Aggression
   • Additional Reading (Social Behaviours, Horse Temperament, Aggression in Dogs)
6. How Animals Communicate
   • Introduction
   • What is Communication?
   • Types of Animal Communication
   • Do Animals Understand Human Language?
   • How Animals Communicate
   • Additional Reading (Communication in Dogs, Understanding Cat Behaviour)
7. Animal Mentality
   • Animal Intelligence
   • Animal Emotion
   • Animal Psychopathology
   • Additional Reading (Dog Depression, Bird Behaviour Problems, Five Ways to Ensure a Happy Pet)
8. Managing Animal Behaviour
   • Our Need to Manage Animal Behaviour
   • Why Do We Domesticate Animals?
   • Canines - Managing their Behaviour
   • Felines - Domestic and Wild Cats
   • Equines - Training Horses
   • Cattle
   • Training Wild Animals in Captive Environments
   • Equine Therapy and Rehabilitation
   • Dog Problems
   • Final Assessment

Who is this course for?

• Anyone with a passion for animals
• Anyone who works with animals - livestock, pets, wildlife
• Animal owners
• Anyone wanting to improve their employment or career prospects to work in animal industries.