Curriculum
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.
Don’t Just Take Our Word For It
Cat Trainer Career Earning Potential
*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, ZipRecruiter & Indeed.com 2024. Hourly rates may vary in your area.
Cat Training Program Curriculum Description By Stage
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).
Benefits of the ABC Cat Training Program
Study From the Privacy of Your Own Home
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!
Flexible Hours
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.
Personal Program Manager
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.
Short Term Programs
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. Check out our Short Term Programs here and increase the skills you can offer to your clients!
