The Truth About Cats and Dogs
The University of Edinburgh
课程信息
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!
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
1
Section
The Appliance of Science
In week 1, we provide 'an insight into cats and dogs behaviour: through their eyes'. We will explore cats and dogs of the world and ask you what you cat and dog mean to you, as well as what you feel is important to your cat and dog. At the end of the week, you will be able to complete the first of the graded quizzes. We hope you enjoy the MOOC as much as we have enjoyed making it!
10 videos (Total 32 min), 5 readings, 2 quizzes
10 videos
Introduction to week 12m
Cats in the World4m
Dogs in the World3m
Dogs, cats and humans5m
Voxpops - what our cats & dogs mean to us3m
Unrealistic expectations for animals to cope with unnatural situations - part 11m
Responsibilities of pet owners2m
Responsibilities of the Veterinary Profession2m
Voxpops - what's important to our cats and dogs2m
5 readings
How To Use This Course10m
Statement of Ethics10m
Overview: week 110m
Ask the experts - audio response10m
Additional Resources10m
2 practice exercises
Sentient beings2m
Week 1 assessment20m
2
Section
Ethology
In week 2, we will we explore ethology, which is the scientific and objective study of non-human animal behaviour, rather than human behaviour, and usually with a focus on behaviour under natural conditions. There will also be an opportunity to look at different breeds of cats and dogs and some of the possible issues that arise from breeding. At the end of the week, you will be able to complete the second of the graded quizzes.
8 videos (Total 77 min), 2 readings, 5 quizzes
8 videos
Dog domestication13m
Dog Ethology5m
Breeds and their uses6m
Alpha Dog5m
Ethology and Domestication6m
Genetics of a Cat9m
Ask the experts - video response27m
2 readings
Overview: week 210m
Additional Resources10m
5 practice exercises
Test your knowledge: dogs10m
Test your knowledge: cats10m
Praising dogs2m
Cats and their environment2m
Week 2 assessment20m
3
Section
Sense and Sensibility
In week 3, we aim to explore cat and dog sensory capabilities and how they interact with their world. We will explore how our cats and dogs communicate with us and each other. We will also examine how their specific senses work and how they use these to operate effectively such as to solve problems, hunt, and play. At the end of the week, you will be able to complete the third of the graded quizzes.
7 videos (Total 44 min), 3 readings, 3 quizzes
7 videos
Feline body language5m
Cat intelligence: hunting, problem solving, play and human Intelligence10m
Dog senses4m
Canine Communication7m
Dog Intelligence3m
Ask the experts - video response8m
3 readings
Overview: week 310m
Video references: Cat intelligence: hunting, problem solving, play and human Intelligence10m
Additional Resources10m
3 practice exercises
Happy/content cats2m
Happy/content dogs2m
Week 3 assessment20m
4
Section
Living with humans
In week 4, we explore the domestic environment and how our cats and dogs adjust to this (or not). We will also discuss what behaviours may arise due to the unrealistic expectations that we may impose on our pets. The videos this week, will help you recognise the signs of fear, frustration, and anxiety, as well as other behavioural problems in cats and dogs. At the end of the week, you will be able to complete the fourth graded quiz.
9 videos (Total 57 min), 2 readings, 3 quizzes
9 videos
Is love enough?2m
unrealistic expectations for animals to cope with unnatural situations - part 24m
Problems for our pets – what is the their experience?6m
Cat myths13m
Modern challenges for modern dogs5m
Dog Aggression7m
Street Dog5m
Ask the experts - video response8m
2 readings
Overview: week 410m
Additional Resources10m
3 practice exercises
Anxious/scared cats2m
Anxious/scared dogs2m
Week 4 assessment20m
5
Section
Can We Do Better? Improving Pet Quality of Life
In the final week of the course we want to reflect on what we have learned so far and start to consider how we can make changes. In doing so, improving our beloved cats and dogs lives for the better, for example through enriching their environment, training, and appropriate care at all stages of their lives (from kittens/puppies through to old age). At the end of the week, you will be able to complete the fifth and final of the graded quizzes.
8 videos (Total 51 min), 6 readings, 1 quiz
8 videos
Dog training - an interview with Alasdair Bunyan7m
Socialisation and training4m
Pets aren't people4m
Old age is not a disease4m
It's a Dog's Life Project5m
Cats in the clinic8m
Ask the experts - video response14m
6 readings
Overview: week 510m
Puppy Power: Developing a puppy socialisation plan for lifelong health and welfare (part 1)10m
Puppy Power: Developing a puppy socialisation plan for lifelong health and welfare (part 2)10m
Podcast - How we can do better10m
Additional Resources10m
Course survey10m
1 practice exercises
Week 5 assessment20m
4.8
75%
83%
Top Reviews
By CN•Mar 4th 2018
This is a very informative, interesting and well prepared on-line course with lots of documentation that one can read later on in order to get more knowledgeable about dogs and cats. Thanks!
By XS•May 24th 2017
A quick stab at some base concerns of animal welfare issues nowadays focus on cats and dogs, good start point to view with objective and scientific measures for anyone that is interested.
Instructors
Dr Heather Bacon
Veterinary welfare edcuation and outreach
Professor Nat Waran
Professor of One Welfare
Dr Amy Miele
Lecturer in Clinical Animal BehaviourAbout The University of Edinburgh
Influencing the world since 1583, The University of Edinburgh is consistently ranked as one of the world's top 50 universities. Today, we are an established and global leader in online learning, providing degree-level education to 3,000 online students in addition to 36,000 students on-campus. We also offer a wide range of free online courses in a variety of subjects. To find out more about studying for one of our online degrees, search for ‘Edinburgh online’ or visit www.ed.ac.uk
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