Stefie Posted November 6, 2011 Share Posted November 6, 2011 Looking for advice and knowledge! I have completed a Dog Training Certificate with the NDTF but would like to branch off into dog behaviour consultancy. NDTF have a specialised Behaviour course but unfortunately it's not currently offered. I wondered if anyone has any experience with this Dog Behaviour course that is offered through "Courses Direct" via distance education. Courses Direct - Dog Behaviour Practitioner Certificate Or does anyone know a Behaviour course that s/he can recommend? Thanks for any help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corvus Posted November 6, 2011 Share Posted November 6, 2011 A PhD in animal behaviour. :p Seriously, though, it's a hard call. I don't think there is a course at the moment that covers what you need to be a behaviourist. Dog behaviour isn't really a subject in of itself. It's an extension of animal behaviour in general, made up of a lot of learning theory, ecology, species-typical behaviour, but more importantly, you have to be able to apply all that knowledge to a practical case and be able to nut out exactly what is maintaining or causing a problem and then know how to manipulate that to change behaviour. This might be a bit controversial, but I don't think there's much sense taking a special course in dog behaviour in order to be a behaviourist. I think it's just gonna come with experience if it is going to come at all. Better to find someone who is doing it and try to get them to mentor you. But don't consider them the repository of all knowledge. You really have to be prepared to drive your own education to a large extent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted November 6, 2011 Share Posted November 6, 2011 (edited) I don't think there's much sense taking a special course in dog behaviour in order to be a behaviourist. I think it's just gonna come with experience if it is going to come at all. My take on it is that theoretical knowledge is excellent to have ..and will help you in your assessments and knowing what makes dogs tick but it can not give you the experience of human/dog body language and communication - the people skills which are vitally important when you are working with dogs and owners ... or even the behaviour problems from a human POV. AS a professional, you will primarily be educating owners - so need to be as good as, or better , in assessing and ironing out their behaviours ;) Edited November 6, 2011 by persephone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefie Posted November 7, 2011 Author Share Posted November 7, 2011 Thank you for your input, corvus and persephone! I was always of the understanding that you have to have some sort of certificate before you can actually advertise as a professional dog behaviour consultant. I may be wrong. But I don't think that people like Steve Austin or Robert Holmes would have gotten where they are without any study! What I have learned in my dog training course was extremely interesting and gave me a good background in dog behaviour but, as persephone said, it would be good to have some theoretical knowledge and there is so much to learn! I think I have just scratched the surface! My aim is to learn the theory and then convert that into practice, watch the dogs and recognise what I have learned and react accordingly. And yes, it is of extreme importance to have good people skills! I always say, you can teach a dog anything, but humans are a much harder nut to crack... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corvus Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 Thank you for your input, corvus and persephone! I was always of the understanding that you have to have some sort of certificate before you can actually advertise as a professional dog behaviour consultant. I may be wrong. But I don't think that people like Steve Austin or Robert Holmes would have gotten where they are without any study! It's an unregulated industry in Australia. Robert Holmes has about 8 years of tertiary study. Steve Austin... not so much. His success is mostly built on experience. It's a good example, actually, of the different paths one can take. Robert Holmes has tonnes of experience as well, but went down the vet science route, which means he did a BVM and then a PhD on top of that. There's no way that Steve's experience can really compare to Robert's. They are very different. What I have learned in my dog training course was extremely interesting and gave me a good background in dog behaviour but, as persephone said, it would be good to have some theoretical knowledge and there is so much to learn! I think I have just scratched the surface!My aim is to learn the theory and then convert that into practice, watch the dogs and recognise what I have learned and react accordingly. I was only being semi-facetious when I said a PhD in animal behaviour. I know a few behaviourists that have gone that route and they are exceptionally good. You're right, there is a LOT of theory. I did a BSc in zoology and am now doing a PhD in dog behaviour. I can pretty much guarantee you that your dog training course did not give you a good background in dog behaviour insofar as yes, it would have just scratched the surface. That's not to say it was useless, though. I think you have to ask yourself how deep you want to go. PhDs are very specialised, but I'm still learning stacks and it all gets applied. A science background also has a big influence on the way I approach problems. It's not just knowing theory, but the way I've been taught to think. To achieve your aim as stated above, I don't think you need a PhD or even a science degree. But I don't know that courses are going to be much help, either. I would start self-educating. There are loads of text books out there. Steven Lindsay's three volume series is a great place to start for dog-specific info and a lot of it is available online. He's not the best writer and I find the books a bit heavy going and frustratingly meandering, but there's no better collection and synthesis of dog-related science that I know of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefie Posted November 8, 2011 Author Share Posted November 8, 2011 Love your input, corvus - food for thought! Have bought the Steven Lindsay books when I did my course and have read a fair bit. But as you said, they're incredibly interesting but so dry and factual! You can only take it in small doses! So for now I want to get as much information as I can without having to give up my normal job that earns me my bread and butter. And I thought a distance education course, self paced is just right. Have actually emailed Steve Austin, whom I have met during the course, if he can recommend anything for me. Awaiting reply... ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corvus Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Sounds like a good plan. It's certainly not going to hurt to do some more coursework! Have you done much basic training with dogs? If not, that might be a good place to start to get used to training different dogs and see how you like it, then branch out from there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staff'n'Toller Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Sounds as though you need to shadow someone relevant to the direction you want to take - hopefully Steve Austin can help you with that. You might be interested in the courses CASI have to offer. You've probably got some of the texts already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefie Posted November 10, 2011 Author Share Posted November 10, 2011 Sounds like a good plan. It's certainly not going to hurt to do some more coursework! Have you done much basic training with dogs? If not, that might be a good place to start to get used to training different dogs and see how you like it, then branch out from there. I am doing some volunteer work with our local obedience club but I am not getting there as often as I'd like to as it's always an hours drive from home on top of full time work. I may be moving soon - closer to the club so hopefully will get there more regularly. Sounds as though you need to shadow someone relevant to the direction you want to take - hopefully Steve Austin can help you with that. You might be interested in the courses CASI have to offer. You've probably got some of the texts already. What an extremely interesting link. The courses look GREAT! Only problem - they are in Canada! Not sure if they would firstly, take on international students and secondly, whether the study would be recognised in Aussieland. Shadowing Steve Austin while he works?! I'd kill for that opportunity! I'd quit my job, sell the house, get divorced - ANYTHING! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staff'n'Toller Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 You are correct, it isn't recognised here, but a few of the Delta Cert IV course graduates have gone on to do the Diploma, they are happy to take international students and I think it's probably your next step-up from the Cert III you have done. I was more angling towards Steve knowing someone in your area, but I agree, shadowing him would be excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefie Posted November 10, 2011 Author Share Posted November 10, 2011 My email to Steve Austin bounced back. He must have changed his email address that he gave me. I've got a phone number for him but would this warrant a phone call to him? Should I be bold?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staff'n'Toller Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 Try the website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumabaar Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 My email to Steve Austin bounced back. He must have changed his email address that he gave me. I've got a phone number for him but would this warrant a phone call to him? Should I be bold?? Be bold IMO- if its something you want then take risks to make it happen!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefie Posted November 17, 2011 Author Share Posted November 17, 2011 Just a quick update. I have eventually been able to contact Steve and had a chat to him on the phone. He gave me some great tips and advice recommending a course, better suitable for my needs that will be run by TAFE soon! I'll be taking part in that one for sure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A-B-C Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 Mind if I ask what the course is Stefie? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefie Posted November 18, 2011 Author Share Posted November 18, 2011 It's a new 8 week course that will be run by Sydney TAFE most likely in Feb next year. Not sure what it is actually called. It's not in their list of courses yet but will be put up on line within the next couple of weeks or so. It will contain 8 subjects that count toward your Cert IV in Companion Animal Services, a good basis for if you want to keep going further with your studies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koyuki Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 It's a new 8 week course that will be run by Sydney TAFE most likely in Feb next year. Not sure what it is actually called. It's not in their list of courses yet but will be put up on line within the next couple of weeks or so. It will contain 8 subjects that count toward your Cert IV in Companion Animal Services, a good basis for if you want to keep going further with your studies. hey this is my very first post on the DOL forum...and im so lucky to stumble upon this thread! I have just started researching courses available in dog behaviour and have contacted the student advisor about the same course it appears you have completed!! This may be a silly question, but were there any hands on type placements you were required to do? or is it all theory? To be honest im not even 100% sure that i want to follow a career in this field but i one day hope to become a breeder and be part of breed preservation of a specific breed and i feel that any knowledge i can arm myself with would be useful. thanks for your time!! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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