Become a cat trainer and get your cat behavior training by enrolling in Animal Behavior College’s Cat Training Program. While teaching your feline friend tricks, like giving a high five, is fun, most importantly you’ll learn how to correct negative cat behaviors like spraying, biting and yowling through positive reinforcement training techniques. Our comprehensive curriculum consists of 11 stages that cover the history of the domesticated cat, basic feline care and behavior modification, just to name a few topics. As part of the curriculum, you’ll also have the opportunity to work with cats as a volunteer at a local shelter, humane society or rescue group near you.
Stage 1 – A BASIC OVERVIEW OF CATS – 21 Days
In the first cat training stage, you’ll learn about the cat’s evolution from Felis Catus to modern-day pet, cat breeds and coat types, and feline anatomy. In addition, you’ll learn the different feline development and socialization periods as well as the feline reproductive system.
Stage 2 – LEARNING THEORIES AND THE FELINE MIND – 14 Days
Dive into the mind of your favorite feline. In this cat training stage, you’ll learn about cat psychology, behavior and communication. You’ll also learn how to effectively read cat body language and why it’s important to train a cat.
Stage 3 – CAT TRAINING TOOLS, BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION PRODUCTS & ESSENTIAL CAT CARE ITEMS – 14 Days
In order to train a cat, you need to have the right training tools and cat behavior modification products. You’ll learn all about food treats, lures and cat calming products. A detailed guide on cat care essentials is also included.
Stage 4 – PREVENTING UNWANTED BEHAVIORS – 21 Days
Taking preventive measures is key to kitten training. Here, you’ll learn how to properly socialize kittens and introduce them to new environments. Information in this cat training stage may also be applied to older cats to prevent an unwanted behavior.
Stage 5 – BASIC CAT TRAINING – 28 Days
In this cat training stage, you’ll be given step-by-step instructions on basic cat training cues as well as solutions to challenges encountered during cat training. Topics that will be covered include training a cat to: sit, down, stay, come and off. In addition, instruction on traveling with a cat via leash or stroller will also be provided.
Stage 6 – CAT BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT & TREATMENT – 28 Days
Once you learn preventive methods, you’ll then learn how to correct existing bad cat behavior. Common issues will be covered, such as avoiding the litter box, cat spraying and biting. You’ll acquire knowledge on why these common cat behaviors occur and how to resolve them.
Stage 7 – CAT NUTRITION AND BASIC CARE – 14 Days
Caring for a cat goes beyond providing food and shelter. Be prepared to expand your knowledge in areas, such as: common cat health problems, cat vaccinations, cat grooming tips and cat nutrition.
Stage 8 – SAFETY CONCERNS, TECHNIQUES & PRACTICES – 14 Days
Cat safety is an important topic every cat trainer should be well versed in. Here, you’ll learn how to cat-proof homes and how to handle reactive cats safely. Cat safety products and examination methods are also taught.
Stage 9 – BUSINESS BUILDING – 21 Days
Whether you decide to start your own cat training business or work for an established cat training organization, you’ll need a strategy. Included in this cat training stage is step-by-step instruction on how to set up your business, how to market yourself, and how to write a resume and effectively interview.
Stage 10 – SHELTER EXPERIENCE & PET CPR AND FIRST AID CERTIFICATION
Apply your new cat behavior knowledge in a professional setting. This portion of our Cat Training Program provides you the opportunity to observe and interact with cats while volunteering a minimum of 25 hours at a local shelter, humane society or rescue group near you.
Pet CPR and First Aid Certification
Being a professional in any animal care career is accompanied by the responsibility of being able to react calmly and safely in the event of an emergency. Animal Behavior College’s Pet CPR and First Aid Certification will give you the knowledge needed to respond safely and effectively to medical emergencies like choking, heat stroke, bleeding injuries and poisonous bites from insects and snakes.
You’ll also learn how to artificially keep a pet’s heart and lungs working until you can seek veterinary help along with many other vital life-saving skills. By learning what can happen and how to respond appropriately, you may prevent many pet emergencies from ever happening and thereby help ensure the safety of not only your own pets, but also any pets in your care.
Stage 11 – GRADUATION
In this last stage, you’ll be tested on your knowledge of cat behavior and training. Upon successful completion, you’ll become an ABC Certified Cat Trainer (ABCCT).
By choosing ABC, you can keep your present job while you enroll in our cat training school. The ABC online portion of the program brings the classroom to your living room, which means no added expenses will be incurred for housing at a remote location and no time will be wasted by driving back and forth to a classroom. Plus, with our online student center, your cat behavior college curriculum will be at your fingertips for reference on your computer or mobile device anytime and anywhere!
You can study around your current work or school schedule, making this program a custom fit. With this flexibility, completion time is approximately 8 months.
Although the first portion of the program is done in the privacy of your home, you are never on your educational journey alone when you enroll with Animal Behavior College. An ABC Program Manager will be appointed to you upon enrollment. They will be there to guide you through the entire cat trainer program, counsel you, answer your questions and grade your exams. Your personal Program Manager will contact you shortly after enrollment to get acquainted and welcome you into the program. At that time, you’ll be given the Program Manager’s contact information for all future interactions as you journey through the program. Have more questions? We are always here to help. Call 800-795-3294.
ABC offers Short Term Programs to those individuals interested in continuing their education. Although you may sign up for any of the Short Term Programs upon enrollment, you will only be granted access once you have successfully completed stage 3. This is done to ensure you have the knowledge necessary to maximize your learning experience.
Training Shelter Dogs
As an ABC Certified Dog Trainer, you may encounter dogs temporarily residing in shelters and rescues due to owner relinquishment. This devastating situation calls for immediate attention. This program consists of 250+ pages of digital material authored by Teoti Anderson, former president of the APDT, with contributions from Kelly Gorman-Dunbar and numerous members of the ABC staff. The wealth of information provided discuss understanding the different kinds of shelters, how to approach them, identifying dogs for adoption and defensive handling, as well as temperament assessments, including some excellent information from the ASPCA MYM Safer Program.
Upon completion of this program, you’ll have a solid foundation of knowledge regarding the training and treatment of shelter dogs with specific attention to re-homing. You’ll also learn the skills that could help launch an animal shelter or dog rescue training program. You may hold classes for dog owners and/or seminars to improve the knowledge of people in your community. As an ABC Certified Dog Trainer, you may have the opportunity to not only train shelter dogs, but to place them in permanent, loving homes as well. Every hour spent with a shelter dog makes a world of difference and, upon completion of the Training Shelter Dog Program, you’ll have the knowledge to positively transform the lives of shelter dogs.
This Short Term Program is approved by the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP) and the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI) for CEU credits.
The Art of Selling and Teaching Private Lessons
Understanding how to conduct private dog training sessions is a crucial component of a professional dog trainer’s career. There are several reasons why learning how to offer quality private lessons is greatly beneficial to your training repertoire. Some clients are better served by one-on-one, individualized, personalized training rather than a group class atmosphere— perhaps the client’s schedule is especially hectic, her puppy is not of age to attend group classes or her older dog’s shyness renders him uncomfortable when forced to interact with other dogs. Regardless of the particular client’s reason, the demand for private-lesson training can be a wonderful opportunity for the professional dog trainer.
The Art of Selling and Teaching Private Lessons is comprised of approximately 300 pages of highly-detailed digital information on conducting private lessons. Authored by Teoti Anderson, former president of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), this Short Term Program will bolster your knowledge of proper private-lesson training and will instruct you on such imperative topics as sales techniques and tips, understanding communication styles, the different types of private training, developing effective training plans, how to teach off-leash behaviors, and how to achieve client compliance in order to maximize your training. Additionally, this program covers advanced tips for marketing yourself and your business and includes information on liability protection.
Upon completion of this program, you’ll have the knowledge to offer and conduct private lessons within a client’s home, at a local park or at your own facility. Your knowledge of how to obtain clientele and conduct efficient private lessons may assist you in growing your business and maximizing its potential.
This Short Term Program is also approved by the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP) and the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI) for CEU credits.
Pet Sitting and Dog Walking
This program provides detailed information on the proper care of and interaction with a variety of pets—dogs, cats, birds, small mammals, fish and reptiles. Subjects include understanding animal communication, such as body language and vocalization, basic nutrition and hygiene, and first aid and safety. You’ll also learn how to: build relationships with clients and their pets, ensure personal and homeowner safety, create and maintain schedules, build clientele, and much more—everything you need to know to start your own pet sitting and/or dog walking business. Upon completion of this course, you’ll have a new and highly sought after service to provide to existing and future clients and their pets.
Pet Nutrition and Diet
The Pet Nutrition and Diet Short Term Program discusses basic pet nutrition, the regulations governing commercial pet foods, and the nutritional needs for both cats and dogs. In this course, you’ll learn how to read pet food labels, including the importance of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and protective nutrients. You’ll also learn about the different types of diets (i.e. dry food, canned food, raw food, supplements, etc.) and how food can play a huge role in a pet’s behavior. After the completion of this program, you’ll have the knowledge to educate your clients on how to provide their animals with proper nutrition based on their pet’s individual age, weight and health condition.
Pet Massage
The Pet Massage Short Term Program gives pet groomers, dog trainers and veterinary staff the knowledge on how to calm each pet they interact with. The ability to soothe and calm dogs through touch improves the human-animal relationship and promotes trust and bonding. This comprehensive course includes step-by-step instructions that guide you through the details of the choreography of a massage for different sizes and types of pets. Topics include: general anatomy and physiology, principles and concepts for different types of massage, creating your workspace, preparing yourself, details for how to develop a pet massage business, and much more!*
This Short Term Program is also approved by the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP) and the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI) for CEU credits.
*State and federal laws regarding the practice of Pet Massage vary widely and are subject to change. Since ABC has no jurisdiction regarding state and federal laws revolving around the practice of Pet Massage, ABC highly recommends that potential students educate themselves on the state and federal laws and regulations and how that may affect their practice of Pet Massage before purchasing the ABC Pet Massage Short Term Program. It’s the responsibility of potential students to determine what laws and regulations their state has adopted to govern the practice of Pet Massage. ABC doesn’t assume any responsibility for state or federal regulations that prohibit or limit the practice of pet massage by the student.
Doggie Daycare
Dog daycare service is rapidly expanding; it has grown by more than 12 percentage points over the past 10 years and will continue to do so. Done correctly, doggie daycare service can be incredibly lucrative. Learn how to do it right and reap the benefits of this growing market by enrolling in ABC’s Doggie Daycare Short Term Program.
In this course you will find everything you need to know to start and run a successful doggie daycare. This program contains over 400 pages of detailed digital material, covering facility considerations, insurance, licensing and permit requirements, equipment needs, marketing and promotional advice, daily care and activities for dogs, and working with owners.
This Short Term Program is also approved by the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP) and the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI) for CEU credits.
Pet Fostering
The Pet Fostering Short Term Program instructs you on how to work with an animal shelter or rescue to set up a pet fostering program. You will learn how to select and retain volunteers as well as match foster animals with volunteers, along with other skills essential to maintaining a pet fostering program.
Pet Fostering is approved by the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP) and for CEU credits.
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