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Learner Reviews & Feedback for The Truth About Cats and Dogs by The University of Edinburgh

4.8
stars
2,340 ratings

About the Course

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!...

Top reviews

LR

Mar 26, 2020

I learned so much about how to decrease stress for my pets and increase their happiness. I also learned how to better communicate with them. Thank you for helping improve my pets quality of life!

AA

Jun 23, 2021

It gives you the basics about owning a pet and what you need to know for their welfare.

I don't see a need for certification for this course.

Recommended for general knowledge and resources

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651 - 658 of 658 Reviews for The Truth About Cats and Dogs

By ray q

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Aug 21, 2019

The more I get into this, it is nothing like I expected. Also very hard to understand (too quiet) especially the veterinarian. Also, what am I supposed to get out of this?

By Calvin C

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Jan 4, 2018

I suppose it is okey, but it is not what I was really looking for

By Michael V

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Jun 29, 2021

Some insights, but doesn't really fulfil its stated goal

By roca

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Jun 23, 2019

a little too simple i hope more informations

By Alexis F

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Mar 22, 2019

I really did not enjoy this course and am so disappointed that I didn't. I wanted to learn something new about cats and dogs, but I feel like a lot of this was common knowledge. Maybe I am just more advance than I thought. I think this is a great course for a first time pet owner, but not someone who has had a pet for a few years. Also, I feel like the views shared here are sometimes extreme and I felt that having a brachycephalic dog, I was almost marked as a someone contributing to the problem of the breed.

By Ruben F

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Dec 20, 2022

Very introductory course, outdated since 2018.

Additionally the section to 'Ask the experts' is not in use so not questions/doubts can be asked .

By Holli M

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Apr 15, 2022

None of the tests or anything load

By Πέτρος Ο

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Feb 19, 2019

terrible