Course Title: Domestic Dog Behavior - 103
Credits: 3 (Approx. 42 work-hours)
Instructor: James O'Heare, CABC
Course Description
Domestic Dog Behavior is a 4 month in-depth exploration of domestic dog behavior. This course is designed to cultivate in the student a strong foundational knowledge of the evolution, domestication, behavioral development, senses and communication of the domestic dog. Students will learn how evolution by natural selection works and explore the prominent hypotheses regarding the speciation event and domestication of the domestic dog. The senses of olfaction, touch, vision, hearing and scent are explored as well as postural, vocal, chemical and tactile communication systems. The sensitive periods in dog development are covered and social systems examined. Finally, the student explores a topic of their choice related to the human-dog relationship.
Students should emerge from this course with a solid understanding of the the following:
Course Texts
- The Domestic Dog: its evolution, behaviour and interactions with people edited by James Serpell.
- Canine Behavior: A Guide for Veterinarians by Bonnie Beaver.
- How Dogs Think: What the World Looks Like to Them and Why They Act the Way they Do by Stanley Coren
- (Recommended but not required): Dogs A Startling New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior & Evolution by Coppinger and Coppinger
- (Recommended but not required): Language of Dogs by Sarah Kalnajs. DVD
Enrollment Package Includes
- Coursework document with assignments and course notes
- Student Handbook
- Access to Classroom, with transcripts from Guest Visits and handouts
- Free membership with IIACAB and to all issues of its journal JACAB
- Access to your Instructor for one-on-one guidance
Schedule
The course begins as soon as your enrollment is complete and you receive your enrollment package. Although we allow 4 months for this course, you are free to complete the course sooner if you can, and we do allow extensions if need be.
Prerequisites: None
CCPDT Credits: 6.5
Tuition
$350 Cdn. (Currency Converter) + 4% fee for for online payments. Textbooks not included in tuition. They may be purchased through http://www.dogwise.com, http://www.amazon.com, http://www.abebooks.com or http://www.half.com in most cases. Also check the Student Library. Canadian Residents 5% GST.
Enrollment
Visit the "ENROLL" page and follow the application instructions.