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Dear Prospective Student,
Thank you very much for enquiring about the
Basic Animal Behaviour
Course: Dogs.
Drs. Hannes Slabbert (a veterinary ethologist) and Frédérique Hurly
(a veterinary behaviourist) present this course. Due to the
relatively large number of students who annually enrol for this
course they are assisted by ‘agents’ with the marking of assignments
and mentorship of students in the different regions of the country.
The Basic Animal Behaviour Course: Dogs is essentially done through
correspondence with the optional attendance of a two-day seminar.
Most of the students who enrol for this course work full-time and
the course is therefore designed to be done on a part-time basis.
Being a private company Ethology Academy is very flexible. As long
as students communicate with us we are usually able to accommodate
them in various ways should personal circumstances develop during
the year making it difficult for them to continue with their studies
and complete the course successfully.
The Basic Dog Course is recommended by both the South African Board
for Companion Animal Professionals (www.sabcap.org.za) and the
Animal Behaviour Consultants of South Africa (www.animal-behaviour.org.za).
The Basic Animal Behaviour Course: Dogs is a prerequisite for
enrolling for the Advanced Behaviour and Management Course: Dogs
presented by Ethology Academy.
The content of the Basic Behaviour course: Dogs is divided into four
modules:
Introduction and approaches to the study of animal behaviour
• Ethological Approach
• Experimental or instrumental approach. (This section deals with
the way animals learn and the different conditioning techniques that
are used in training of animals)
• The developmental approach (Pre-natal – Ageing, development
calendar, development of behaviour)
• The Physiological approach (The nervous and endocrine systems as
well as pheromones)
• Social behaviour (Groups, relationships, factors influencing rank,
social spaces and communication)
Problem behaviour and possible resolutions
Assessment:
• Contextual assessment
• Assessment by classification of behaviour problems
• Assessment of animal welfare
• Assessment of responsible companion animal ownership
Resolutions:
• Indirect approach
• Direct approach
• Complementary therapies
• A report for record purposes
Applied dog behaviour
• Genetic background ( domestication and breed traits)
• Behaviour background
• Most common behaviour problems ( like aggression, coprophagia,
attention seeking and destructive behaviour, dogs that dig, and
more)
Care and welfare of dogs including human-animal interaction,
genetic selection for breed purposes, nutrition, exercise, training,
social needs, environmental enrichment, transport, hygiene and
preventative measures, handling, breeding and housing facilities.
How the course is presented
After enrolling, the
student receives all the study material via registered mail.
Included will be a “Student Letter” giving detailed information on
every aspect of the course. Also included will be eight assignments
(two on every module). Students will receive an electronic copy of
the assignments that can be used if the student elects to submit the
assignments via email. Alternatively assignments can be posted using
the Post Office service.
Evaluation
The student will be expected to submit eight assignments during the
period March to October. The assignments will be marked and returned
to the students. The marks obtained for the 8 assignments constitute
the year mark, which will give the student entrance to write the
final examination in November. The assignments are not difficult,
because all the answers are in the notes. It should not take more
than 2 – 3 hours to complete an assignment.
Seminars
Students are invited to attend a two-day seminar. Dog seminars are
annually hosted in Gauteng and Cape Town. Should student numbers
allow a seminar will also be hosted in KZN and Port Elizabeth.
The seminar dates for 2017 are:
Benoni, Gauteng: 21 July 2017 (full day) and 22 July 2017 (morning
only)
Bloubergstand, Cape Town: 28 August 2017 (full day) and 29 August
2017 (morning only)
Should there be a high number of students in KZN and/or PE area,
seminars will be held in
these areas. Please enquire about this possibility in March.
Students can attend any one of the seminars. Attendance is not
compulsory (students are not penalised for not attending) but highly
recommended. The attendance fee for the seminars is included in the
course fee, but students are responsible for their own travel and
accommodation expenditures.
Final evaluation:
A formal examination is scheduled for Saturday, 4 November 2017. It
consists of a two-hour paper and the pass mark is 50%. To pass the
exam requires a fair amount of studying and insight. Students are
therefore advised to start well in advance with their examination
preparation. Students will be able to sit for the exam at a venue in
close proximity to where they live. Students who complete the course
successfully will receive a certificate. Distinctions are awarded to
students who pass with a mark of 75% or more.
The study material does not include information on specific breeds.
You may want to purchase a book on breeds, but then ensure that the
book pays attention to the typical temperament of the breed.
Alternatively, some internet searching can provide you with that
information as well!
The course is presented from February to November each year.
Registration for this course takes place from 2 January to 28
February 2017. Students may enrol earlier (in 2016) but the study
material will only be posted as from the 2nd January 2017 and once
proof of payment has been received. The course fee for the Basic Dog
Behaviour Course for 2017 is R 7 300. The fee includes the study
material, assignments, attendance of the seminar and the evaluation
fee. Travel to and accommodation at the seminar is not included in
the course fee.
How to enrol for this course:
Go to the website www.ethology.co.za
• Click on ‘Enrol’
• Read ‘Terms of
Agreement’
• Complete and submit the enrolment form and financial agreement form if
only the registration fee is paid when enrolling.
• Pay the appropriate fee
• Provide Dr Frederique Hurly admin@ethology.co.za with confirmation of
payment
Do not hesitate to get in touch should you need more information.
Best regards
Dr Frederique Hurly
BVSc, MPhil, MANZCVS
(Veterinary behaviour)
Course administrator, Ethology Academy
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