CATA NCE case studies
CATA NCE · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The Certified Animal Training Associate (CATA) National Certification Exam is a multiple-choice credential aimed at people who apply learning science to animal training in professional or paraprofessional settings. Candidates typically include trainers early in their careers, shelter and rescue behavior staff, veterinary technicians who handle behavior cases, zoo and sanctuary keeper staff, and service or working-dog handlers who want their knowledge validated against a national standard rather than a single employer's in-house curriculum. The CATA NCE case studies are 5 cases and about 3,258 words.
1The Boarding Kennel Barking Spiral
A four-year-old spayed Labrador, "Mabel," is boarded for 10 days while her owners travel. Staff report she began barking within 30 minutes of intake and by day three is barking 6-8 hours per day, with hoarse vocalizations and reduced food intake (she eats about half her ration).
710 words, about 4 min2The Puppy Class That Reinforces the Wrong Dog
A six-month-old intact male Border Collie, "Rook," attends a six-week group puppy class of eight dogs. In week two, Rook begins lunging and barking at a calm adult dog used as a demo.
660 words, about 3 min3The Cat That Stopped Using the Litter Box After a Move
A nine-year-old spayed domestic shorthair, "Pia," has urinated outside the box four times in 10 days, always on a bathmat in the second bathroom. The family moved six weeks ago from a one-story house to a two-story townhouse.
636 words, about 3 min4The Rescue Dog and the "Dominance" Walk
A client adopts a two-year-old mixed-breed male, "Bram," from a shelter. On walks Bram freezes and lowers his head when a person approaches, then barks and backs away if the person continues.
621 words, about 3 min5The Enrichment Budget and the Stereotypic Parrot
A shelter has a 400 monthly enrichment budget for 40 animals, including one African grey parrot, "Juno," surrendered four months ago. Juno has plucked her chest and leg feathers over the past two months and paces the perch bar repetitively for 20-30 minutes at opening and closing times.
631 words, about 3 min