VTEC 1723 - Animal Behaviour for Veterinary Technologists

Course Description

Students learn to interpret natural animal behaviours as they relate to safe handling, restraint and management practices. Students examine and learn how to employ low stress techniques that result in a positive experience for both the animal and the handler. Students acquire knowledge of restraint techniques used in the veterinary industry for common domestic species.

Learning outcomes

1. Demonstrate appropriate behavioural management of cats and dogs to be applied in clinic, kennel and home environments (includes compounds, playrooms).
2. Observe, identify and accurately transcribe the behaviour of dogs and cats into patient files and assignments.
3. Identify common restraint techniques used in veterinary procedures including low stress handling.
4. Apply effective training techniques, using a variety of aids, to teach dogs and cats socially desirable behaviours.
5. Observe, identify and discuss normal behaviour in dogs, cats and horses.
6. Develop strategies to facilitate integration of pet behaviour counselling in veterinary practice.
7. Examine common behaviour problems of dogs and cats that may be problematic to an owner and more serious behaviour problems that may require intensive management and behaviour modification strategies.
8. Communicate with clients regarding the identification, classification and strategic management to alleviate a pet’s behaviour problems including common medications used for behaviour management.
9. Recognize with moderate accuracy certain normal and abnormal behaviours in pet birds (psitticines) and describe how bird behaviour can be modified by the application of learning principles.

Course topics

• Module 1: Small Animal Handling and Restraint
• Module 2: Overview of Animal Behaviour
• Module 3: Normal Canine—Behaviour and Social Development
• Module 4: Normal Canine—Body Language
• Module 5: Normal Feline—Socialization and Body Language
• Module 6: Normal Feline—A Day in the Life
• Module 7: Behavioural Learning Theory
• Module 8: Behavioural History
• Module 9: Behavioural Challenges
• Module 10: Horses and Birds

Required text and materials

Note: Print versions of the textbooks are strongly recommended for all VTEC courses.

Students are responsible for purchasing the required materials on their own:

• Shaw, J., & Martin, D. (2023). Canine and Feline Behavior for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses. Wiley Blackwell. 
  Type: Textbook. ISBN: 9781119765400 / 9781119765592

Note: This item can be purchased directly from the following VitalSource link.

The following textbook would have been purchased in VTEC 1713. Students who did not take VTEC 1713 and/or don't already own the required textbook, will need to purchase it. 

• Boyle, J. (2016). Crow and Walshaw’s Manual of Clinical Procedures in Dogs, Cats, Rabbits and Rodents (4th ed.). Wiley-Blackwell. 
  Type: Textbook. ISBN: 9781118985700 / 9781118985724

Note: This item can be purchased directly from the following VitalSource link.

Additional requirements

A video recording device.

Optional materials

It is strongly recommended that students have access to one of the following editions (or earlier) of a veterinary dictionary. The recommended veterinary dictionaries are:

1. Studdert, V. P., & Gay, C. C. (2020). Saunders comprehensive veterinary dictionary (5th ed.). Elselvier. ISBN-13: 978-0-7020-7463-9 (This textbook is also available as an e-text.)
2. Aiello, S. E., & Moses, M. A. (Eds.). (2016). The Merck veterinary manual (11th ed.). Merck & Co. ISBN-13: 978-0911910612 (This textbook is available online at: Merck Manual, Veterinary Manual)

Assessments

To successfully complete this course, students must achieve a passing grade of 60% or higher on the overall course, and 50% or higher on the mandatory final exam.

The following table illustrates how your final grade will be determined for this course.

Prerequisites

VTEC 1201 with a minimum grade of C

and

VTEC 1693 with a minimum grade of C

Exclusions

ANHD 1130