SMALL ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR AND TRAINING
VET1SAB
2020
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
This subject offers a thorough and practical introduction to the basics of small animal behaviour and training at a level appropriate for student veterinary nurses. Students will develop the underlying knowledge and basic skills required to conduct puppy classes, and advise owners on common behavioural and training problems. Students will learn to take a thorough history and to perform a careful behavioural "triage" to enable a sound decision as to when veterinary intervention is required. Students will also develop the skills required to assist with behaviour modification as directed by veterinarians in the treatment of behavioural problems. Through a work integrated learning (WIL) placement, students will have the opportunity to observe and assist with the care of a wide number of hospitalised and visiting dogs and cats. An integral part of these interactions will involve applying behaviour and training theory, and critically reviewing how they have seen veterinary team members do the same.
School: Life Sciences (Pre 2022)
Credit points: 15
Subject Co-ordinator: Dimuthu Wijesinghe
Available to Study Abroad/Exchange Students: No
Subject year level: Year Level 1 - UG
Available as Elective: No
Learning Activities: N/A
Capstone subject: No
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites: Must be admitted in the Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing (SBVN)
Co-requisites: N/A
Incompatible subjects: N/A
Equivalent subjects: N/A
Quota Management Strategy: N/A
Quota-conditions or rules: N/A
Special conditions: N/A
Minimum credit point requirement: N/A
Assumed knowledge: N/A
Learning resources
Decoding your dog
Resource Type: Book
Resource Requirement: Prescribed
Author: Horwitz D, Cirabassi J & Dale S.
Year: 2014
Edition/Volume: N/A
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
ISBN: N/A
Chapter/article title: N/A
Chapter/issue: N/A
URL: N/A
Other description: N/A
Source location: N/A
Canine and feline behavior for veterinary technicians and nurses
Resource Type: Book
Resource Requirement: Prescribed
Author: Shaw, K & Martin, D
Year: 2015
Edition/Volume: N/A
Publisher: John Wiley
ISBN: N/A
Chapter/article title: N/A
Chapter/issue: N/A
URL: N/A
Other description: N/A
Source location: N/A
Career Ready
Career-focused: Yes
Work-based learning: Yes
Self sourced or Uni sourced:
Uni Sourced
Entire subject or partial subject: Partial subject
Total hours/days required: 39 hours
Location of WBL activity (region): Domestic - metro
WBL addtional requirements: N/A
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
Graduate Capabilities
Intended Learning Outcomes
Epping (Melbourne Polytechnic), 2020, Semester 2, Blended
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Dimuthu Wijesinghe
Class requirements
Placement - Off SiteWeek: 31 - 43
One 3.00 hours placement - off site per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
WIL placement
Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 31 - 43
One 1.00 hour unscheduled online class per week on any day including weekend during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via online.
Delivered as reading material, quizzes, video clips.
WorkShopWeek: 31 - 43
One 3.00 hours workshop per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Category | Contribution | Hurdle | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10 x 5 min Pre-workshop online Quizzes (850 words equivalent)2% eachWeeks 2 -12 | N/A | N/A | No | 20 | SILO1, SILO2, SILO3, SILO4 |
1 x 20 min practical skills presentation (1000 words equivalent)Practical skills assessments by tutor with simulation models and/or live animals and role plays | N/A | N/A | No | 25 | SILO1, SILO2, SILO3, SILO4 |
Behaviour Modification Action Plan (600 words)Students select an animal case where the animal has a behaviour problem that they have been involved with in placement or in their own personal experience, and to develop a behaviour modification action plan for that case | N/A | N/A | No | 15 | SILO3 |
Team Client handout (Puppy Class Plan) (600 words/student)Student team (of approx. 4 students) to create a plan for a puppy class around puppy socialisation and an accompanying owner handout. 2400 words total assessment | N/A | N/A | No | 15 | SILO3, SILO4, SILO5 |
5-minute individual video presentation (500 words equivalent) with instructional handout (250 words)Student to create a video record of an animal before, during and after a planned animal training intervention, and to reflect on the training plan and process during the video | N/A | N/A | No | 25 | SILO3 |