Back to The Truth About Cats and Dogs
The University of Edinburgh

The Truth About Cats and Dogs

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. Learners can apply for Financial Aid directly with Coursera to assist with the cost of accessing the full course and gaining a certificate for successfully completing the course.

Status: Scientific Methods
Status: Ethical Standards And Conduct
Course16 hours

Featured reviews

JK

5.0Reviewed Oct 15, 2017

Thank you! I do enjoyed this course. I got a lot of new information about cats stress, dogs and cats welfare. I will use this knowledge with my pets and in my dogtraining practice.

TT

5.0Reviewed Dec 27, 2020

I LOVED IT SOO MUCH. I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH ABOUT MY DOGS AND ABOUT CATS ALSO. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN REALLY GREAT IF YOU HAVE MADE THE COURSE A LITTLE MORE INTERESTING. ANYWAYS I HAD A GREAT TIME.

A

4.0Reviewed Oct 20, 2024

A separate course needs to be formulated and added to this one wherein common diseases of cats and dogs is discussed along with their prevention (through vaccination) and treatment.

AA

5.0Reviewed Sep 2, 2023

I'm immensely grateful to the tutors at the University of Edinburgh for offering the enlightening course "The Truths About Dogs and Cats" – a perfectly enriching experience! Thank you!

LA

5.0Reviewed Nov 22, 2020

The course is very informative, and for pet owners, or people planning to have a pet in the future, this course would be very useful. The videos are short and suitable for beginners :)

H

5.0Reviewed Jan 22, 2022

Excellent course aiming in animal welfare and development. I express my heartful gratitude to all teachers who were a part of my journey through this course. Thank you very much once again.

AS

5.0Reviewed Jun 23, 2020

This was a very informative course and had a lot of ways to destress pets but it can get repetitive after a few videos. All things considered, I did enjoy taking this course and what I learned.

MM

5.0Reviewed Jul 3, 2019

This course was informative on many street and pet dogs and cats. I do want to know more about the shelter element of how these animals can be better suited in a shelter environment.

JJ

5.0Reviewed May 2, 2020

I have had a variety of animal companions throughout my life, but this course has taught me that I could always benefit by staying up-to-date on the latest information related to animal welfare.

AG

5.0Reviewed Oct 8, 2020

This course is a very good overview for people beginning their studies of dogs and cats. Pertinent videos and additional resource suggestions provide further opportunities to study more details.

MB

5.0Reviewed Dec 7, 2019

I am enjoying this course and am learning quite a bit. Behavior is one of my main interests as a trainer as I think understanding it helps to design training and living programs for the animal.

AA

5.0Reviewed Jun 24, 2021

I​t 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

All reviews

Showing: 20 of 675

Jane Languedoc
2.0
Reviewed Sep 4, 2017
Mihika Gupta
3.0
Reviewed Jul 30, 2019
Corey Cannatelli
5.0
Reviewed Jul 18, 2019
Dr Mohana Marathe
3.0
Reviewed Apr 26, 2020
B Ward
2.0
Reviewed Jul 11, 2017
Anne Geenen
5.0
Reviewed Oct 8, 2020
Jeannette Juricic
5.0
Reviewed May 3, 2020
Anin Badra
5.0
Reviewed Mar 19, 2019
Dianne H
3.0
Reviewed May 15, 2020
Angela Mc kenna
5.0
Reviewed Sep 15, 2020
Bright Briganti
5.0
Reviewed Feb 18, 2018
Adriana Perea
5.0
Reviewed Oct 31, 2017
Antonia Anderson Black
5.0
Reviewed Feb 17, 2019
Shannon Strang
5.0
Reviewed Jul 7, 2018
Liz Ross
5.0
Reviewed Mar 27, 2020
Louisa Deemer
5.0
Reviewed Apr 6, 2020
Tammy Phinney
4.0
Reviewed Nov 14, 2018
Kellie Squire
4.0
Reviewed Jun 22, 2018
Douglas Mooney
4.0
Reviewed Jan 10, 2018
Piratat Wongsawasdi
5.0
Reviewed Apr 22, 2020