Animal Behavior College to Offer New Cat Training Program

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Cat owners face some of the same behavioral challenges as their canine counterparts. Frustrating behaviors, such as aggression, biting, scratching and having accidents in the house, have led many to seek expert advice. With more than 40 percent of dog owners also having cats, professional dog trainers have seen an increased demand for feline behavior counseling services. Due to these facts and that there are 85.8 million cats in the United States kept as pets, according to the 2015-2016 American Pet Products Association (APPA) National Owners Survey, Animal Behavior College will introduce a core Cat Training Program this April.

“At one time, many people didn’t believe cats could be trained because they are generally more independent than dogs,” said Steven Appelbaum, president and CEO of Animal Behavior College. “Cats can learn every bit as quickly as dogs. Our new program is designed for our Dog Obedience Program graduates, dog trainers and anyone who wants to offer their cat owner clients solutions that address a myriad of common and treatable unwanted behaviors.”

The Cat Training Program teaches cat lovers everything they need to know about cats and how to train them, including learning theories, training tools, preventing unwanted behaviors, safety techniques and practices, behavior management, feline care and nutrition and business building. It also includes a shelter practicum, pet first aid and CPR certification. The distance learning program will take a student between 8 to 12 months to complete.

“The program provides invaluable knowledge to those who wish to add a comprehensive understanding of feline behavior to their training repertoire,” said Crystallynn Hetlinger, ABC’s animal behaviorist and contributing curriculum author. “The modification techniques contained in the curriculum are useful in a variety of practical professional settings.”

Aside from cat lovers and dog trainers, the school will also market this program to veterinary professionals who wish to offer cat-training options to their clients. Upon completing the program, participants will be certified by ABC as Animal Behavior College Certified Cat Trainers (ABCCT).

With pet cats outnumbering dogs (77.8 million dogs to 85.8 million cats), the Cat Training Program provides participants with invaluable knowledge, which in turn enhances their service offerings and can help build their businesses. Animal Behavior College believes learning how to manage, train and treat cat behaviors can be a profitable venture.

“The APPA estimates that pet owners in the U.S. will spend an estimated $62.75 billion on their pets this year alone,” Appelbaum said. “Pet owners are expected to spend $5.73 billion on training and other services. We believe there is an untapped market for cat behavior and training skills, which makes this an excellent opportunity for dog trainers to grow their business and for career changers to start a business.”