Diploma in Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling (Feline) + Mentorship
Diploma in Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling (Feline) + Mentorship
Transform Your Career with My 14-Week Feline Behaviour Mentorship Programme
This veterinary approved and externally accredited diploma programme is written and designed by an experienced, ABTC registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CAB) with a busy behaviour referral practice, who is also a qualified registered veterinary nurse and qualified teacher. It has been designed for aspiring and practising feline behaviour professionals who want to build confidence, refine their clinical skills and develop a structured approach to feline behaviour counselling.
Whether you’re just starting out in feline behaviour counselling or already offering services and looking for expert guidance, this 14-week mentorship programme combines a comprehensive diploma-level course with personalised one-to-one coaching from Caroline Clark. You’ll receive personalised support and feedback from Caroline, whether you need help refining your clinical skills, managing current cases or simply boosting your confidence in your work. This programme is also a great companion to the level 5 and 6 ABTC recognised courses that are a pre-requisite towards CAB recognition, as it complements the syllabus in an applied way.
This mentorship programme provides everything you need to build confidence, expand your skills and enhance your professional portfolio. You’ll gain practical, real-world skills you can apply immediately to your work with cats and their caregivers.
Written with the benefit of real-world clinical behaviour experience and informed by current behavioural science.
The programme is designed to be studied week by week, but with the flexibility to self-pace when life gets busy. You’ll have six months to take your private coaching sessions, and in your first call with Caroline you can plan a learning pathway that works around your circumstances.
Not sure if it’s right for you?
If you’re unsure whether this programme suits your needs, don’t hesitate to get in touch for advice. I’ll be happy to answer your questions and help you decide if this is the right step for your career.
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Learning outcomes:
- Learn how to develop and provide a professional feline behaviour counselling service, including choosing appropriate consultation methods and developing the counselling skills needed to support caregivers effectively.
- Understand the factors that influence problematic feline behaviour, including genetics, breeding, early life experiences and the unique challenges that arise as cats age.
- Develop the skills to analyse feline behaviour, gather case information, carry out a structured stress review and apply behaviour evaluation systems to support a thorough assessment.
- Gain a thorough understanding of the pressures of domesticity on cats, including how living with humans, pain, fear, anxiety, stress and frustration contribute to feline behaviour problems.
- Learn practical training techniques for cats, including counterconditioning, desensitisation, carrier training, cooperative care and safe handling and restraint in the workplace.
- Gain practical experience through real-life case studies, including analysing client questionnaires, reviewing medical histories and designing professional behaviour modification plans.
- Develop a thorough understanding of common feline behaviour problems, including house-soiling, aggression, feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC), Pandora syndrome and compulsive disorders such as psychogenic over-grooming, feline hyperaesthesia syndrome and pica.
- Explore the role of behavioural adjuncts and psychoactive medication, including dietary supplements, pheromone therapy, enrichment for cats in contained environments and veterinary prescribed medication.
- Complete an assignment based on a real-life case, carrying out a full behaviour analysis and preparing a professional behaviour modification plan.
Mentorship benefits:
- Diploma Level Course: Gain an accredited course to showcase your expertise in feline behaviour counselling.
- Tools for Success: Gain skills to create actionable behaviour plans, set up in-house feline behaviour clinics and prepare for CAB/CCAB accreditation.
- Expert Mentorship: Included are 4 x 1 hour private coaching sessions with Caroline*, a practising Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CAB), to guide you through complex cases and build your confidence.
- Media Library of Webinars and Presentations: Access a programme of webinars and live presentations with visiting speakers on key topics, with recordings available for later viewing.
- Practical Support: Learn to handle a wide range of feline behaviour problems, communicate effectively with clients and collaborate with veterinarians and other specialists.
- Private Group: Join a community of like-minded professionals for ongoing advice and encouragement.
- CPD Documentation: Includes a certificate of completion, CPD transcript and reflection document for your professional portfolio.
This course includes:
- 16 modules
- Bitesize lessons
- Access on all devices
- Lifetime access
- Webinars & videos
- Download handouts & templates
- References, resources & research
- Assignment assessment
- Accredited certificate of completion
- CPD transcript
- Tutorial & technical support
Who this course is for:
- Aspiring feline behaviour counsellors
- Practising animal behaviourists
- Cat trainers
- Veterinary surgeons
- Veterinary nurses
- Rescue and shelter staff
- Cattery workers
- Those working towards CAB/CCAB accreditation
Before you enrol:
*Coaching Requirement: You will need to have completed at least two coaching sessions before your diploma certificate can be downloaded. Sessions are bookable via Caroline’s availability calendar and must be used within six months of the programme start date. You'll receive a recording of your session, which will expire within 1 year of recorded date.
Group Presentations: Scheduled throughout the year, covering key topics. Recordings are available for those unable to attend live.
No Additional Discounts: As this programme is heavily discounted, further student discounts cannot be applied.
This course includes videos with English subtitles. We design our courses to work with the way you learn — not against it. Whether you are neurodivergent, have a sensory or physical difference, or simply prefer flexible ways to study, the features below are here to support you.
- Reading Ruler: Highlights one line at a time to help maintain focus. Toggle it on/off from the toolbar at the top of each lesson.
- Table of Contents: Longer topics display a Contents button in the toolbar for quick navigation between sections.
- Dark Mode: Reduces eye strain in low-light environments. Toggle it from the sidebar panel (top-right icons).
- Reading Time: Each topic shows an estimated reading time in the toolbar so you can plan your study sessions.
- Auto-Generated Subtitles: Available on all of our videos (approximately 95% accurate). Enable them using the CC button in the video player.
- Video Transcripts: Text versions of video content with timestamps, allowing you to follow along or revisit specific sections.
- Adjustable Playback: Video quality adjusts automatically based on your connection. Use the gear icon for manual control, or adjust playback speed to suit your pace.
- Feature Boxes: Key information is presented in visually distinct boxes, helping break down content and improve focus for neurodivergent learners or those with reading difficulties.
- Colour Contrast: Our course materials use high-contrast colour schemes to aid readability, particularly for learners with colour blindness or visual impairments.
- Downloadable Resources: Slides and supporting materials accompany webinars, enabling you to take notes and refer back at your own pace.
About the instructor:
Course curriculum:
-
Introduction
- Welcome Updated
- Navigating Your Course Updated
- The PET Resource Library
- Using the Discussion Group Updated
-
Week 1: Developing a Feline Behaviour Counselling Service
- Providing a Feline Behaviour Service
- Why a Cat May Need Behavioural Help
- Exploring Consultation Methods: Choosing the Right Approach
- Counselling Caregivers: Essential Qualities and Skills Updated
- Suggested Tasks & Key Take Home Points Updated
-
Week 2: Feline Development and Some of the Factors that Influence Problematic Behaviour
- Week 2 Introduction
- Genetics and Breeding
- Feline Behavioural Development and Early Learning Updated
- The Ageing Cat and Associated Changes that Impact Behaviour Updated
- Case Studies: Demonstrating How Genetics, Early-Life Experiences and Ageing Can Impact Behaviour
- Suggested Tasks & Key Take Home Points Updated
- Case Studies: My Thoughts
-
Week 3: Analysing Feline Behaviour
- Week 3 Introduction & Approaching a Behaviour Case
- Gathering Information
- Carrying Out a Stress Review Updated
- Observing the Behaviour and Making a Behavioural Diagnosis Updated
- Suggested Tasks & Key Take Home Points Updated
-
Week 4: Applied Behaviour Analysis & Formulating a Behaviour Modification Plan
- Week 4 Introduction
- Modifying the Environments
- Behaviour Evaluation Systems
- Factors Affecting the Success of a BMP
- How to Present a Behaviour Modification Plan (BMP) Updated
- Key Take Home Points & Suggested Task Updated
Student reviews:
- Students gained confidence to pursue careers in feline behaviour counselling through Caroline's supportive mentorship and coaching.
- Reviewers valued the diverse learning materials, including videos, webinars, research papers and the comprehensive PET library resource.
- Students appreciated shadowing live consultations, which helped them apply theoretical knowledge to real-world feline behaviour cases.
- Learners felt well-supported throughout the course by Caroline's approachable teaching style and one-to-one mentorship sessions.
Based on 20 published student reviews across all star ratings for this course.
Amanda J B.
VerifiedA Comprehensive and Invaluable Feline Behaviour Course
I found the course extremely comprehensive and very well paced, with an excellent mixture of videos, webinars, reading and research papers, which made the learning both engaging and varied. Caroline was always on hand to provide support, either by email or through one-to-one coaching sessions, which was invaluable. The PET library is an exceptional resource, with a wealth of materials, including practical examples and handouts that can be used directly with clients. The course really was “soup to nuts” and would be hugely beneficial both to anyone new to feline behaviour and to those looking to enhance their existing knowledge. The lifetime access is a fantastic bonus, particularly as new materials and videos are continually being added. I would highly recommend the course, whether your aim is simply to understand your own cat better or to pursue a career in animal behaviour.
Heather T.
VerifiedI learnt so much!
Hugely enjoyable course. I have learnt so much around feline behaviour to add to my existing knowledge of dog behaviour. The course is well laid out and in digestible chunks and I can't think Caroline enough for her support in my mentorship sessions.
Diane L.
VerifiedA must for all feline guardians!
I really enjoyed the course and especially the opportunity to take part in a live consultation. As a cat lover, guardian as well as having worked with cats, I learned additional aspects to a cats behaviour and welfare that will benefit both my own cat family and the cats in the local animal shelter that I volunteer with. The course provides additional material from published papers to dive deeper into the topic and having the library full of information is great to learn from.
From the course, I have highlighted a couple of areas for my own cats to benefit from as well as looking to progress my learning in order to look at a career in animal behaviour.
I would definitely recommend this course to anyone with a feline family.
Jürgen K.
VerifiedThe content was clear, engaging, well-structured & motivating! Highly recommended!
This online course on cat behavior was fantastic! The content was clear, engaging, and well-structured. I learned so much more about feline habits and communication. Caroline was knowledgeable and approachable, making complex topics easy to understand. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to deepen their cat behavior knowledge!
Sarah P.
VerifiedLoved this course!
Another fantastic course from Caroline! The perfect progression from the Feline fear, anxiety and aggression certificate. The course itself is clear, concise and thorough and there's a wealth of additional resources to expand the lessons further. The learning environment is supportive and encouraging, I would thoroughly recommend this course to anyone that's interested!
Lorraine W.
VerifiedA must for anyone who loves cats!
I highly recommend this course. Whether to develop professionally or to gain amazing insight into your own cat/s.
Caroline is amazing and so supportive. I was doubting myself before I signed up but after talking to Caroline the encouragement and belief she gave me in enabled to sign up with confidence. I can not thank her enough!
The course in broken down in to modules that you work through at your own pace. The content is written clearly and is easy way to follow and understand. There are also webinars and links which are so useful as you work your way through the course.
Along with personal mentorship and group sessions you are not alone on this course.
Included is access to the PET Reference Library which is bursting with fantastic information/papers/recommended books to read to aid you in your study and to help you learn.
This course has has been so valuable to help me in my career as Bach Flower Remedies Councillor. I can now work with my clients with so much more confidence due to the knowledge I have gained through this course.
The quality of this course is 1st class and is a must for anyone who works with cats or has cats.
To put it simply - just to do the course! You will not regret it.
Keep growing — CPD courses chosen for you…
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The Misunderstood Cat
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