College of Pet Animal Studies

Dog Psychology Level 2
A course in basic canine psychology

A flexible learning course for those interested in the psychology of the dog, and use of psychology in shaping behaviour.

People are interested in canine psychology for many reasons - to understand their own dogs better, and so make their behaviour more acceptable, or as part of their working environment, where the understanding of dogs is vital to both safety and success. Either way it is a fascinating subject, and should be thoroughly enjoyed by those taking part.

In all psychology, that which one person proves today, someone else disproves tomorrow, and the theories that can be proved to be fact in one experiment can be proved to be unworkable in another! This is the reason why reading books and trying to apply the theories to your own problem does not always work, no matter if you are studying the psychology of humans, elephants or dogs.

Each living being is psychologically unique. We are all shaped by our drives, motivations, biological needs, early experiences, and genetic factors. We learn in different ways, and have different reactions to stress - and dogs are no exception. It is the way in which these factors interact which is so interesting, and this is what we are going to study on this course.

All early human psychology was based on animal experimentation and the results applied with varying success to humans. We shall look at the work of Pavlov, Skinner, Thomdike and Watson, the first behaviourists, and see how we might apply it, agree and disagree with their findings, forming our own individual conclusions. Studies of their work can be found in many psychology texts today in every main library in Britain, and you will find conflicting opinions and evaluations by leading psychologists.

To help you with this, you will be shown how to use textbooks, and how to pursue your individual research projects.

Modern animal psychologists have made great leaps forward in the understanding of the dog's mind and behaviour, and we shall be studying their work in behaviour shaping, studying the various techniques which can be employed and comparing their usefulness with individual animals. We shall study, and critically analyse videos of trainers at work. and provide dogs for hands on experience during workshops. Assessment will be by means of written questions, oral questions, practical tests, and projects based on your own research. You will be assessed on each unit, as it is completed. Should you have difficulty in providing written answers, this work may, be submitted on audio tape. The assessment procedures do not seek to test your skill as a writer, but merely to test your knowledge and understanding of the subject as we progress.

You may either attend group or one to one workshops, to help you with your correspondence course, or rely on tutorial support.

Weekend Courses, Seminars and workshops are available throughout the year, individually costed. Keep your eye on the Newsletter, or ask to go on our emailing list.

email: petsbehaving@aol.com
Telephone: 01746 764332