Note that our seminars and training are currently only in French. We can offer them in English on demand.
The brand new FelineXperience camp (2 days); in French only… for now!
The FelineXperience course is recognized for credits by the ATSAQ.
Warning: the translation of this page does not correspond to the update made in the French version. English update to follow shortly.
NEXT DATES IN QUEBEC: New dates to come
This course is meant for animal lovers (general public and professionals). Through lectures and practical workshops, you will learn how cats – and animals in general – perceive their environment and what makes them tick. In several of these workshops, you will get to work with animals in a UNIQUE opportunity. The FelineXperience camp will open your eyes to the world of animal behaviour.
Understanding feline behaviour through immersion with animals
In this course, you will learn to analyze animal behaviour, and thus understand the motivations behind certain behaviours, as well as their consequences. You will also learn about frequent interpretation mistakes, too often encountered on the internet.
This course aims to teach how to decipher and analyze various behaviours in order to apply specific solutions to possible future problems. You will learn how cats perceive their environment, how they interact with it, and how they react in it while fine-tuning your understanding of feline communication.
In addition to lectures, the course offers several workshops, which will address frequent situations. You will have the opportunity to interact with animals and practice the acquired notions, from reading body language to training animals.
New workshops on training and desensitization to handling will be offered, in which you will be taught principles that can be applied to your cats.
Although several solutions to the most frequent behaviour problems will be taught over the weekend, the FelineXperience camp will not make you a feline behaviour consultant. However, you will acquire the solid and necessary basics to analyzing and understanding troublesome behaviours in order to resolve them. We recommend taking this general public course before undertaking the more advanced Cat Educator courses. From experience, numerous consultants who have not learned the material taught at the FelineXperience camp commit easily avoided mistakes, such as suggesting the wrong solution to the wrong problem.
Finally, of course, you’ll get to enjoy the dynamic energy and humorous touch of the Cat Educator team, which makes courses so interesting!
Course content
COURSE CURRICULUM
Days will be divided into a series of one to two-hour lectures, followed by workshops in which you will get to practice the previously acquired notions:
- Behaviour analysis methods;
- Understanding how cats think without the mistake of entering their mind;
- Mechanics of learning;
- Motivation and the different ways of learning in cats;
- Identifying what triggers a behaviour;
- Practical workshops with videos and scenarios;
- Avoiding interpretation mistakes and anthropomorphism;
- Training methods;
- Initiation to handling and voluntary care;
- Understanding feline communication (body language);
- Training animals in the field;
- Elimination behaviour of the cat;
- Analyzing house soiling problems;
- Feline agonistic behaviour;
- Methodology and resolution of conflict between cats;
- Disruptive behaviour (meowing at night, furniture destruction, cable chewing, etc.);
- Environment enrichment;
- The cat’s perception of its environment.
Note that the classes will be taught by different teachers. Cat Educator calls to the experience and knowledge of its team members, as well as to external specialists for some workshops.
Who is this course for?
- Pet owners who wish to live out their passion and better understand their cat;
- Animal care professionals (behaviourists, AHTs, veterinarians, pet supplies stores or shelter workers, groomers, canine educators, etc.);
- Cat lovers who have previously taken some Cat Educator courses and wish to further their knowledge.
There are no prerequisites for this course. Scenario workshops will be separated in levels, allowing you to choose the appropriate difficulty level. Workshops on the basics of feline behaviour will be offered at the same time as more advanced workshops for professionals who wish to further their knowledge. You will be free to choose which workshop you wish to participate in, according to your interests or knowledge.
What does the course include?
- 2 days of lectures and practical workshops;
- 1 printed handbook of all presentations;
- Housing according to the chosen package (see packages);
- Access to the facilities
Is the material identical to that of the former Felinetensive camp?
Although it was inspired by the Felinetensive camp, this new course is relatively different. First, it takes place over the course of two days as opposed to three and is, therefore, more affordable. Moreover, while the Felinetensive camp was aimed primarily to animal care professionals to teach them to diagnose and resolve behaviour problems, the new FelineXperience camp is intended for the general public. It focuses mainly on interactions with animals, as well as the behaviour, motivation and perception of cats. At the end of this 2-day course, you should be able to analyze and understand most behaviours of housecats without committing interpretation mistakes, and apply the training and voluntary care methods you will have acquired.
Even though you will learn about the most frequently encountered behaviour problems and their solutions (house soiling, aggression, meowing at night), the course will not make you a feline behaviour consultant. We will focus mainly on interacting with animals through various workshops, one of which will be about voluntary care.
That being said, animal care professionals will get their fair share with special lectures; before one may resolve behaviour problems, one must first be able to understand behaviour without interpretation mistakes. This is why the FelineXperience camp stands out and excels.
If you took part in the Felinetensive camp more than two years ago, you will find about 50% new material and will get to refresh previously acquired notions.
Where does this animal behaviour class take place?
The FelineXperience camp takes place in the dreamy decor of Jacinthe Bouchard’s Zoo Académie by the St-Lawrence in Nicolet (Trois-Rivières), 1h30 from Montreal and Quebec City: 4055 Rang des Soixante, Nicolet, QC J3T 1P5.
You will get the unique opportunity of close encounters with many wild animals, such as Canada lynxes, wolves, foxes, raccoons, ravens, etc. There are also chickens, horses, rats, miniature horses and several other animals, which you may train if they are available, healthy, and cooperative.
IMPORTANT – THE FINE PRINT
- Animals on site: we cannot guarantee that you will be able to interact with every animal on site. Interactions will depend on the availability, mood and health of the animals, as well as other criteria, at the discretion of Zoo Académie. Although interaction with animals is a big part of the FelineXperience camp, it remains a course;
- Practical workshops: workshops and demonstrations with animals may be modified depending on the number of animals available, as well as their physical and mental state; Cat Educator will always put animal welfare first. However, workshops will take place regardless;
- No cats: although this may seem paradoxical in the context of a feline behaviour course, we will not bring cats on-site to spare them unnecessary stress. Resident cats may take part in workshops, should they feel like it. All material about cats will be taught through videos and examples, and all notions acquired through workshops may be applied to cats.
ABOUT THE ZOO ACADEMIE FACILITIES
At ZOO ACADÉMIE, you will have access to every facility, and will get to interact with some animals, such as lynxes*, wolves*, foxes*, raccoons*, chickens*, horses*, ravens*, etc. The unique opportunity of a lifetime!
CLASSROOM: lectures will take place in a large conference room.
DORMS: the spotless summer camp-style rooms each have four bunk beds. Depending on the number of attendees, you may be alone in your room. A common parlour and bathroom with showers will be at your disposal. However, you need to bring your own sleeping bag, pillow and personal hygiene products (towel, shampoo, washcloth, soap, etc.).
HOTEL: if you prefer a hotel room, a transportation service to Zoo Académie will be provided (10 minutes). Unless you choose double occupancy, you will get an individual room with a private bathroom.
* Access to the animals will depend on their health, as their wellbeing takes priority. Thus, you will get to interact with them if they are healthy and available. If not, you will still be able to see them up close, and will get to interact with other animals throughout the course.
ACCESS TO THE SITE ON FRIDAY NIGHT: you can add one night to your package if you wish to arrive the day before; fees will apply.
Day 1: Saturday – 9h to 18h – Followed by a campfire on the beach
Day 2: Sunday – 9h to 17h
Packages and course prices
| Packages | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Description of items | TOTAL IMMERSION | COMFORT EXPERIENCE | ECONOMIC |
| Certificate recognized by the ATSAQ (15 credits) | X | X | X |
| Course notes | X | X | X |
| Training certificate | X | X | X |
| Access to site facilities, access to animals and interaction with them under conditions and supervision | X | X | X |
| Accommodation | An overnight stay on the training site (see details of the facilities below) | An overnight stay at the hotel or hostel 10 minutes from the site | |
| It is possible to add one night on the Friday before the training. A fee will be applicable. Ask for it. | X | X |
TOTAL IMMERSION PACKAGE:
- One night on the training site : Chambre au Zoo Académie où se tiendra le FélinTensif (Video only in French);
- Certificate recognized by the ATSAQ (15 credits);
- Course handbook;
- Training certificate;
- Access to site facilities, animals, and interactions under certain conditions and supervision;
- It is possible to add one night if you wish to arrive on Friday (fees apply). Just ask!
Inscription
We prefer the credit card payment method via our online store for its simplicity and speed . However, we understand that some prefer not to use this method of payment. To these people, we offer the possibility of paying by cheque or interac transfer. Your seat will be considered reserved when your payment is cashed. This implies that you must write to us by email to register and that your cheque must have been mailed as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding!
COMFORT EXPERIENCE PACKAGE
- An overnight stay at the hotel or inn 10 minutes from the site;
- Certificate recognized by the ATSAQ (15 credits);
- Course handbook;
- Training certificate;
- Access to site facilities, animals, and interactions under certain conditions and supervision;
- It is possible to add one night if you wish to arrive on Friday (fees apply). Just ask!
Inscription
We prefer the credit card payment method via our online store for its simplicity and speed . However, we understand that some prefer not to use this method of payment. To these people, we offer the possibility of paying by cheque or interac transfer. Your seat will be considered reserved when your payment is cashed. This implies that you must write to us by email to register and that your cheque must have been mailed as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding!
ECONOMIC PACKAGE
- Certificate recognized by the ATSAQ (15 credits);
- Course handbook;
- Training certificate;
- Access to site facilities, access to animals and interaction with them under conditions and supervision.
Inscription
We prefer the credit card payment method via our online store for its simplicity and speed . However, we understand that some prefer not to use this method of payment. To these people, we offer the possibility of paying by cheque or interac transfer. Your seat will be considered reserved when your payment is cashed. This implies that you must write to us by email to register and that your cheque must have been mailed as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding!
CertifiCAT – Gift certificates
These gift certificates can be used for our conferences, training courses, products and services.
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