Animal Behaviour Technician

Your profile

You are interested in companion animal behaviour, welfare and training for the prevention of or dealing with problem behaviours and want to obtain an academically recognized qualification.
You want to participate in the whole course to obtain a thorough theoretical understanding of the field based on the latest scientific  knowledge and to develop the necessary practical training and communicative skills or follow a specific module only to top up your knowledge.

You are (or will be) working in the animal care sector, with responsibility for planning and managing the prevention of welfare and behaviour problems and humane approaches to the treatment of behaviour problems . This involves understanding, evaluating and address inappropriate or problematic behaviours within individual animals, through the development of suitable environments and effective training programs based on best practice and scientific evidence. You might be working with the animals and their owners yourself for rehabilitation training or prevention purposes or assisting a Clinical Animal Behaviourist with the implementation of the behaviour modification plan and advising other persons or organisations.

Practical workshops

Our courses combine online learning with practical workshops. Online lectures given by international experts in the field are used to introduce theoretical concepts, provide information that is not easily accessible through other sources or discuss and highlight specific topics. Academics that are at the forefront of the field facilitate and guide the learning of individual students towards achieving the learning outcomes of the courses.  During the practical workshops in small groups you develop under the supervision of tutors your practical skills in animal training and communication.

This course includes 8 days of intensive training in groups with a maximum of 4 to 6 students  in animal handling, training and the development of appropriate communication skills  at the animal shelter ‘Dierenbeschermingscentrum Limburg’  situated in Born The Netherlands. Four days are scheduled during the first year and four during the second year of the course.

Course content

This course takes 2 years. Modules (total: 40 ECTS credits):

• M1 Ethology of companion animals - 8 ECTS credits
• M2 Learning theory and animal training - 6 ECTS credits
• M3 The welfare of companion animals - 4 ECTS credits
• M4 Animal law and ethics - 4 ECTS credits
• M5 Anatomy and physiology and the interaction between health and behaviour - 10 ECTS credits
• M6 Clinical procedures - 8 ECTS credits

In year 1 we will treat modules 1-2-3-4 (22 ECTS points); in year 2 we continue with modules 5-6 (18 ECTS points). The course is given in English. A good knowledge of the English language is essential.

Optional: Introduction to the scientific study of CABW - 3 ECTS credits. We strongly advise you to participate in this module if you do not have or have limited experience of writing in a scientific style. In this module is included how to search for scientific literature, the interpretation of scientific papers and how to write assignments correctly using scientific based knowledge.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course you:

• Have an in-depth understanding of the normal behaviour, behavioural needs and welfare of companion animals
• Have the expertise to provide prophylactic behavioural advice to owners/handlers/keepers
• Have the expertise to assess the behaviour and welfare of companion animals
• Have the theoretical knowledge to diagnose behaviour problems and to compose behaviour modification programmes
• Have the practical handling and training skills to implement behaviour modification programmes in practice
• Have professional skills in client counseling and effective communication

Tuition fee

Fees are paid on a year-by-year basis at the start of each year. The course of Animal Behaviour Technician costs:.

• Year 1: €2.750 (22 ECTS credits)
• Year 2: €2.250 (18 ECTS credits)

Small companies in Flanders can pay this course through kmo-portefeuille (number DV.O215752).