Clinical Animal Behaviourist
Postgraduate course in Clinical Animal Behaviour
Humans live in close contact with animals. The foundations for a lifelong happy human animal relationship are created when proper care is provided. When the biological, behavioural and emotional needs of the pet are not met the welfare of the animal is at risk. It may develop health or behavioural problems which may result in a breakdown of the relationship and well-being of both the animal and its owners.
The goal of Odisee’s Companion Animal Training, Behaviour Counselling and Welfare program is to provide professionals in the animal care sector with an accredited course based on the latest scientific knowledge. We focus on companion animals being dogs, cats, small mammals and horses. We choose for a multidisciplinary approach, drawing on scientific knowledge and techniques from ethology, biology, psychology veterinary science, anthrozoology, animal cognition, law and ethics and welfare science.
Click the link below to check if you meet the profile of Clinical Animal Behaviourist.
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 humane approaches to prevent and address behaviour and welfare problems including behavioural disorders in companion animals. You want to develop specialist knowledge based on the latest scientific knowledge in the field of companion animal behaviour and counseling to develop a behavioural diagnosis and implement a behaviour modification program for dogs and cats (obligatory) and horses or small mammals (Optional. You should choose one option) and want to meet the academic requirements of the profession of clinical animal behaviour counselor. You have an extensive understanding of clinical animal behaviour and the related scientific/clinical literature.
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 10 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. Five days are scheduled during the first year and five during the second year of the course.
Course content
This course takes two years in total. Modules (total: 60 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: Anatomy and physiology and the interaction between health and behaviour - 10 ECTS credits
- M5: Animal law and ethics - 4 ECTS credits
- M6: Clinical procedures - 12 ECTS credits
- M7: Research methods and practice - 16 ECTS credits
In year 1 we will treat modules 1-2-3-4 (28 EC); in year 2 we continue with modules 5-6-7 (32 EC). A more detailled program will be published later. 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 (€375): 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 assess the behaviour and welfare of companion animals
- Have the theoretical knowledge to diagnose behaviour problems and to compose behaviour modification programmes including the use of psychopharmacological interventions in cooperation with a veterinarian if you are not a qualified vet yourself.
- 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 Postgraduate course in Clinical Animal Behaviour (PG CAB) costs:
- CAB year 1: €3.500 (28 ECTS credits)
- CAB year 2: €4.000 (32 ECTS credits)
Small companies in Flanders can pay this course through kmo-portefeuille (number DV.O215752).
Key words
- postgraduate course
- online course
- 60 ECTS credits
- two years
Partners
- Odisee University College (Belgium)
- Davalon, Knowledge in Pet Coaching (The Netherlands)
Timetable
Which postgraduate course?
Read more on the difference between Clinical animal behaviourist and Animal behaviour technician.Certificate
After successful completion of the course you will receive a Postgraduate certificate in Clinical Animal Behaviour of Odisee University College. This certificate is an academically recognized qualification.
Entry requirements
You have (at least) a bachelor degree (level 6) with a good command of the English language. You are a EU citizen (+ Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein).
Optional: introduction to the scientific study of CABW
If you do not have or have limited experience of writing in a scientific style, we advise you to participate in this optional module. Read more on this link.
Workshops in Covid19-times

What if the workshops in this course cannot take place?
The worldwide outbreak of Covid19 has an enormous impact on our lives and also on this course. In case we cannot organize the workshops in a safe way at the planned date (due to any reason), we will search for a new date. If this is also not possible, we will offer an alternative program consisting out of online group sessions and tutorials and additional practical assignments to assure that students will be able to achieve the learning aims as formulated for these modules.
Interested in some modules?
You can follow one or more modules of this course without subscribing to the whole course. Please mention this explicitely in your registration form. Fee is €125/ECTS credit.
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the SPPD (Platform professionele diergedragsdeskundigen) for cats and dogs. The NVGH (Nederlandse Vereniging voor Gedragstherapeuten) will audit the course by the end of 2020.

Deadline registration
Registrations for the Postgraduate courses Clinical Animal Behaviourist and Animal Behaviour Technician are possible until 15th September 2020. Late subscriptions are accepted only after agreement of the course coordinator.
Info session
We do not plan another online info session for 2020-2021. The next info session will be announced here and will probably take place in April 2021.
Should you have any questions, please contact us by email.
Check the ECTS-files of this former course.
ECTS Postgraduate Course Companion Animal Behaviour and WelfareRead more on the former program in our brochure.
BrochureFormer postgraduate course
Odisee offered a Postgraduate Course in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare (46 ECTS credits) as from 2015-2016. In 2018 we made some changes to the program. Students can now choose between the following roles: Clinical Animal Behaviourist or Animal Behaviour Technician. You can find more information on the former course in the ECTS-files and brochure.