COAPE - Centre of Applied Pet Ethology

CDPH DipCABT ADVANCED DIPLOMA (HONOURS): STAGE 2
Diploma (Advanced Certificate with Honours) in the Practical Aspects of Companion Animal Behaviour and Training: STAGE 2.

Written and tutored by Robert Falconer-Taylor, Peter Neville and Val Strong.

OCN Accreditation - Diploma (Honours): equivalent to University study at First Year Degree Level, earning 60 credits at Level 4. Click Here for details of accreditation.

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The Centre of Applied Pet Ethology (COAPE) is delighted to announce that the Advanced Diploma in Practical Aspects of Companion Animal Behaviour and Training (DipCABT) has been upgraded by the course’s independent awarding and accreditation body, The Open College Network. From September 2010 the Diploma will be accredited and recognised at Level 4, equivalent to university study at First Year Degree level. COAPE now offers a two-stage Diploma programme:

YEAR 1: Stage 1 of the COAPE Advanced Diploma in Practical Aspects of Companion Animal Behaviour and Training is the core component of the qualification. It is a residential course taught over one academic year. Each student must attend all four weekend teaching modules and complete the written course assignments, workbooks and final practical case study. Earning 60 credits at Level 4, this is an important recognition of achievement at a university-level of study. Over 350 students have successfully graduated from this constantly updated, comprehensive course since 1997. Stage 1 will continue to be offered to all eligible students and at exactly the same price as for the past two years despite the upgrade to Level 4.

YEAR 2: Stage 2 is the COAPE Advanced Diploma (Honours). This new Honours component is only available to successful students from Stage 1 and provides further opportunity for study and practical career development. Students will be required to demonstrate the ability to engage in practical companion animal behaviour therapy through approaching organised complex case studies and completing a research project. Earning a further 60 credits at Level 4, successful students will then have gained 120 credits at an independently accredited university-level of study and be perfectly placed to pursue an independent career in companion animal behaviour therapy.

The Advanced Honours Diploma in the Practical Aspects of Companion Animal Behaviour and Training Stage 2, DipCABT (Honours) is taught over one academic year and consists of two correspondence Modules of prepared case studies, one residential Module and one Module for a research project.

The Advanced Honours Diploma Stage 2 provides further opportunity for study and practical career development. To be eligible to enrol candidates must have successfully completed the Stage 1 core component of the qualification, the Advanced Diploma, DipCABT Stage 1.

To then be awarded the DipCABT(Hons) qualification, students must successfully complete both correspondence modules of the Stage 2 course and attend the residential module. There they are required to demonstrate the ability to engage in practical companion animal behaviour therapy through approaching specially organised complex case studies, and to design and subsequently successfully complete a relevant research-based project. This will be presented as a written dissertation and form part of the final assessment for the course.

The DipCABT(Hons) qualification is worth an additional 60 credits, bringing the total number of credits earned to 120 at Level 4.

On-line Student Resource Centre
Students of this brand new course also benefit from a dedicated password protected Student Resource Centre, providing access to a range of rich media content including complex companion animal behaviour cases for study and other complementary materials, including video, sound, graphics and pictures, web links, and of course additional written content. Students also have access to a dedicated password-protected Student on-line user group where they can discuss the course, behaviour matters and help each other with their studies.

Qualification entry requirements for this course
Candidates must have successfully completed the Stage 1 core component of the qualification, the Advanced Diploma, DipCABT, before they are eligible for enrolment on the Advanced Diploma (Honours) Stage 2 course.

Please Click Here to contact the COAPE office and speak to The Registrar, Clare Tickner, who will be happy to advise you.

University of Lincoln
The Department of Biological Sciences, Riseholme Park, is the splendid venue for the residential component of the Advanced Diploma (Honours) Course in Practical Aspects of Companion Animal Behaviour and Training.

The Department, headed by Prof Daniel Mills includes two substantial research groups of international standing - The Animal Behaviour, Cognition and Welfare Group and the Reproduction & Biodiversity Research Group. Current research projects in The Animal Behaviour, Cognition and Welfare Groupinclude:

Impulsivity in dogs
Effect of owner expectation on the dog-human bond
Neuro-behavioural correlates of stereotypic behaviour in the horse
Facial processing in dogs
Effect of stress hormones on the behaviour of dogs
Environmental needs of domestic pet rabbits. Improving the welfare of cats in captivity

Please Click Here to to visit the department's website.

What happens to graduates after gaining their Advanced Diploma Stage 2, DipCABT(Hons)?
DipCABT(Hons) graduates will already be Affiliate Members of of the COAPE Association of Pet Behaviourists and Trainers (CAPBT) having passed their Advanced Diploma Stage 1, and continue to enjoy all the advantages of Membership.

COAPE Behaviour Practitioners
The practice of companion animal training and behaviour modification can be divided into several distinct segments dictated by what the trainer / behaviourist is able to offer at their particular level of expertise and experience. This in turn, must meet the expectations of the animal’s owner in relation to the particular training and/or behaviour problem being presented.

The DipCABT(Hons) opens the door to becoming a CAPBT Behaviour Practitioner, which is the way to go for those wanting to become recognised full-time behaviourists.

Click the logo on the left for the CAPBT website

In order to become a CAPBT Practitioner, an Affiliate CAPBT member must have successfully completed Stage 2, DipCABT(Hons), of the COAPE Advanced Diploma, at which point they can enter the CAPBT Practitioner Training Programme, which is OCN accredited earning 20 credits at Level 4. This is an internally moderated process of practical training and assessment, designed to cater for students at all levels of experience. Practitioners enjoy many additional benefits of access to specific practice and promotional materials designed to help them set up and succeed in independent referral practice.

All COAPE graduates have access to the resources and help they need to achieve their aims in the field of pet behaviour and to develop and extend their abilities in the challenging real world and are not just 'left to the dogs'!

What the Student will Learn

Module 1	Canine Case Studies: A number of canine case histories are studied in detail. A step-by-step approach is adopted for each case in order that the student can learn the key principles of assessing behaviour problems in dogs in a methodical and structured, evidence-based manner. The systematic approach the student has the opportunity to engage in for each case consists of 9 key stages:- Stage 1. Understand the principles of assessing behaviour problems in dogs: Critically evaluate the origins of the behaviour. Construct an assessment strategy. Evaluate any safety issues and apply a risk assessment. Make a statement relating to your personal observations. Explain the elements of veterinary referral for the case. Stage 2. Understand the implications of behavioural variability on behaviour problems in dogs: Determine the innate needs of the case with regard to behavioural characteristics. Evaluate the essential stages of canine development and explain how these may impact on each behaviour problem. Critically discuss the key aspects of socialisation and handling for a dog and explain how these may impact on the case. Stage 3. Apply the principles of learning theory to behaviour problems in dogs: Evaluate how the processes of non-associative learning and associative learning have established the problem behaviours in the case. Critically comment on the use of signals of reward and non-reward with regard to each problem behaviour. Assemble appropriate training and practical handling strategies. Evaluate which types of specialised equipment might be helpful and explain how these should be used. Stage 4. Understand the physiology of emotions in canine behaviour problems: Evaluate the neurophysiology and neurochemistry of reward and aversion, anxiety, hormonal influences and diet for the case. Evaluate the core emotional systems and discuss their influence. Critically evaluate the application and use of the EMRA approach in the case. Stage 5. Recognise when to use pharmacological intervention in canine behaviour problems: Determine which pharmacological agents might be applicable to each presenting problem behaviour. Explain the effects and actions of these pharmacological agents. Evaluate any contraindications of the use of these pharmacological agents including the licensing and legal implications for the prescribing veterinarian. Stage 6. Know how to assemble a behaviour modification plan for canine behaviour problems: Evaluate the physical and emotional limitations of the owner. Evaluate any environmental limitations. Create a goal orientated strategy and behaviour modification for the case. Critically compare the ability of novice versus experienced owners to implement the modification plan. Stage 7. Recognise public safety issues in canine behaviour problems: Summarise your responsibilities to the general public with regard to the case. Identify any legislation which might relate to the case. Stage 8. Understand the principles and responsibilities involved in creating a canine client file: Create a canine client file and explain how this information will be recorded and stored. Explain how to liaise effectively with other specialists within the field of canine behaviour e.g. referring veterinary surgeons. Put in to practice the modification plan using effective communication skills. Stage 9. Understand the limitations of modification plans in canine behaviour problems: Make a statement relating to your personal investigation of each case. Critically review your modification plan for each case and identify its strengths and weaknesses and explain the rationale behind your prognosis in each case.
Module 2	Feline Case Studies: A number of feline case histories are studied in detail. A step-by-step approach is adopted for each case in order that the student can learn the key principles of assessing behaviour problems in cats in a methodical and structured, evidence-based manner. The systematic approach the student has the opportunity to engage in for each feline case comprises the same 9 key stages described for the canine case studies in Module 1.
Module 3 (Residential) 17 - 18 March 2011	Group case history discussion: Here we have the opportunity to meet up informally to discuss the case history studies undertaken in Modules 1 and 2. Planning Your Companion Animal Research Project: Group discussion on what is involved in designing, implementing and successfully writing up a researched based project. 1. Professor Daniel S. Mills BVSc PhD CBiol FIBiol FHEA CCAB Dip ECVBM-CA MRCVS and his colleagues from the Department of Biological Sciences will describe how to conduct an experimental study in companion animal behaviour, including a walk-around tour of the Department. 2. Professor Mills together with members of his research team and post-graduate students will describe some of their current research programmes and present some of their recent findings. Many of the fascinating and innovative studies going on at Lincoln are right at the international cutting edge of academic study into how and why dogs and cats do what they do, and will further enhance the student's understanding of the Diploma course material.
Module 4	Carrying out Your Research Project: In Module 4 you engage yourself in the implementation of your chosen research project. Questions addressed in this Module include:- How to... establish an experimental protocol set out the basis for an experimental study understand the principles of experimental methodology review experimental methodology assess the feasibility of an experimental study conduct an experimental study assess an experimental strategy respond to an assessment of an experimental strategy. Presenting a Scientific Paper for Publication: Here you prepare for the write-up of your chosen research project into its final form: a Dissertation ready for presentation and assessment. Questions addressed in this Module include:- How to... construct a scientific paper - write an abstract, introduction, literature review, review of methodology, critique of methodology, present results and conclusions and recommendations, and write a bibliography.

Course Details

Course Type:	Three correspondence Modules and one residential Module taught over one academic year. Plus written coursework and a research based project to be presented as a written Dissertation.
Course Format:	Each student has access to a password-protected dedicated on-line COAPE Student Resource Centre where the case histories are presented for study along with other course materials. Students also receive Course Notes and a Workbook to complete for each Module.
Course Duration:	1 academic year. The course commences in September each year.
Additional Information:	Course notes, coffee, tea, breakfast, lunch and one night's dinner and accommodation included for the residential Module.
Course Cost:	TOTAL: £2,745 (OCN registration deposit £250 + course fee of £2,495) Course cost includes all teaching materials, access to the online Student Resource Centre, residential Module at the University of Lincoln, Department of Biological Sciences (meals and refreshments throughout the day). A deposit of £400 (or £500 after 30th June, 2011) is required in order to secure a place on the course as numbers are strictly limited. This includes the OCN registration fee.
Payment Options, Terms & Conditions:	Please click on the 'Enrol' button below for details. NOTE: You are NOT COMMITTING YOURSELF TO ANYTHING by clicking on this button.

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