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The Truth About Cats and Dogs
  • Level Foundation
  • المدة 16 ساعات hours
  • الطبع بواسطة The University of Edinburgh
  • Offered by

عن

What is your cat revealing to you when she purrs? What is your dog expressing when he yawns or wags his tail? Understanding your cat and dog’s behaviour and the way they communicate with you, will enable you to better understand their needs and strengthen your relationship with them. This MOOC is divided into five topics, the appliance of science; behaviour and body language, senses and perception; challenges for the human-animal relationship, including pet problem behaviour; and how to improve the quality of life for cats and dogs in our care. At the start of the course we ask you to consider what you feel is important to your cat/dog and what your cat/dog means to you? We explore the world of cats and dogs and how our relationships with them vary around the world and have changed over time. We ask if we can really know what our animals are thinking or trying to communicate through their facial expressions and behaviours. From our beloved pets to street dogs, shelter dogs/cats and welfare challenges, we explore the world from their perspective and examine how their genetic make-up may influence their behavioural responses and choices. We dispel common behavioural myths by looking through a scientific lens, asking questions about the function and development of their behaviour.. We explore how their senses help them to interact with their world and how they communicate with each other and us! Finally, we ask whether we impose unrealistic expectations on our cats and dogs and how this affects their ability to live alongside us. We ask, what can we do to be more responsible pet owners and to ensure the welfare of all cats and dogs in society? This MOOC explores different scientifically validated methods that can help you to better understand your pet, to enrich their lives and help you to be a more educated and confident pet owner. We hope you enjoy the course!

الوحدات

How to use this course

    • 2 Readings
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2 Readings

  • How To Use This Course
  • Statement of Ethics

Welcome

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • Tell us why you're on this course

2 Videos

  • Welcome and meet the team
  • Introduction to week 1

1 Readings

  • Overview: week 1

Cats & Dogs of the World

    • 3 Videos
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3 Videos

  • Cats in the World
  • Dogs in the World
  • Dogs, cats and humans

What our cats and dogs mean to us

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • What does your cat or dog mean to you?

1 Videos

  • Voxpops - what our cats & dogs mean to us

Responsibilities and expectations

    • 3 Videos
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3 Videos

  • Unrealistic expectations for animals to cope with unnatural situations - part 1
  • Responsibilities of pet owners
  • Responsibilities of the Veterinary Profession

What we think our cats and dogs need

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • What's important to your cat or dog?

1 Videos

  • Voxpops - what's important to our cats and dogs

Reflection

    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Sentient beings

1 Discussions

  • What has been the most surprising thing from week 1?

Assessment

    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Week 1 assessment

Ask the experts

    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • Ask the experts

1 Readings

  • Ask the experts - audio response

Week 1 Additional Resources

    • 1 Readings
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1 Readings

  • Additional Resources

Welcome - Week 2

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Introduction to week 2

1 Readings

  • Overview: week 2

Looking at dogs in more detail

    • 4 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Test your knowledge: dogs

4 Videos

  • Dog domestication
  • Dog Ethology
  • Breeds and their uses
  • Alpha Dog

Looking at cats in more detail

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Test your knowledge: cats

2 Videos

  • Ethology and Domestication
  • Genetics of a Cat

Reflection

    • 1 Discussion
    • 2 Assignment
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2 Assignment

  • Praising dogs
  • Cats and their environment

1 Discussions

  • Challenges: dogs

Assessment

    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Week 2 assessment

Ask the experts

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • Ask the experts

1 Videos

  • Ask the experts - video response

Week 2 Additional Resources

    • 1 Readings
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1 Readings

  • Additional Resources

Welcome to week 3

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Introduction to week 3

1 Readings

  • Overview: week 3

Cats: senses and communication

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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2 Videos

  • Feline body language
  • Cat intelligence: hunting, problem solving, play and human Intelligence

1 Readings

  • Video references: Cat intelligence: hunting, problem solving, play and human Intelligence

Dogs: senses and communication

    • 3 Videos
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3 Videos

  • Dog senses
  • Canine Communication
  • Dog Intelligence

Reflection

    • 2 Assignment
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2 Assignment

  • Happy/content cats
  • Happy/content dogs

Assessment

    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Week 3 assessment

Ask the experts

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Ask the experts

1 Videos

  • Ask the experts - video response

Week 3 Additional Resources

    • 1 Readings
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1 Readings

  • Additional Resources

Welcome to week 4

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Introduction week 4

1 Readings

  • Overview: week 4

Cats & Dogs - expectations

    • 3 Videos
    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • Is love enough?

3 Videos

  • Is love enough?
  • unrealistic expectations for animals to cope with unnatural situations - part 2
  • Problems for our pets – what is the their experience?

Living with humans

    • 4 Videos
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4 Videos

  • Cat myths
  • Modern challenges for modern dogs
  • Dog Aggression
  • Street Dog

Reflection

    • 2 Assignment
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2 Assignment

  • Anxious/scared cats
  • Anxious/scared dogs

Assessment

    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Week 4 assessment

Ask the experts

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Ask the experts

1 Videos

  • Ask the experts - video response

Week 4 Additional Resources

    • 1 Readings
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1 Readings

  • Additional Resources

Welcome to week 5

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Introduction week 5

1 Readings

  • Overview: week 5

Learning and Enrichment

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • What enrichment do you use?

2 Videos

  • Dog training - an interview with Alasdair Bunyan
  • Socialisation and training

Health and Welfare

    • 4 Videos
    • 3 Readings
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4 Videos

  • Pets aren't people
  • Old age is not a disease
  • It's a Dog's Life Project
  • Cats in the clinic

3 Readings

  • Puppy Power: Developing a puppy socialisation plan for lifelong health and welfare (part 1)
  • Puppy Power: Developing a puppy socialisation plan for lifelong health and welfare (part 2)
  • Podcast - How we can do better

Assessment

    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Week 5 assessment

Ask the experts

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Ask the experts

1 Videos

  • Ask the experts - video response

Week 5 Additional Resources

    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Readings

  • Additional Resources

We would like to hear from you

    • 1 Readings
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1 Readings

  • Course survey

Auto Summary

Discover "The Truth About Cats and Dogs," a Coursera course led by expert instructors in Science & Engineering. This foundational course delves into the behavior, communication, and welfare of cats and dogs, exploring their body language, senses, and relationship challenges. Over 960 minutes, you'll gain scientific insights to enhance your understanding and improve your bond with your pets. Ideal for pet owners and animal enthusiasts, the course offers a Starter subscription for an enriching learning experience.

Hayley Walters
Instructors

Hayley Walters

Dr Heather Bacon
Instructors

Dr Heather Bacon

Professor Nat Waran
Instructors

Professor Nat Waran

Dr Amy Miele
Instructors

Dr Amy Miele