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

4.8
stars
2,388 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. 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....

Top reviews

LD

Apr 6, 2020

I really enjoyed taking this course. The lectures were very informative and I learned a lot from this course. I definitely recommend this course for anyone who is interested in dogs and cats. :)

MB

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.

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626 - 650 of 675 Reviews for The Truth About Cats and Dogs

By Sara A

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Jan 11, 2025

Great course learned some new things although some was rather basic and I thought obvious.

By Saiprasanna

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Aug 26, 2024

The course has offered knowledge related to behavioural aspects of pets and their training

By Dazy H

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Jun 2, 2025

Really enjoyed the course. Almost all of the videos were super easy to listen and follow

By Christian C

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Oct 2, 2017

Very good basic overview of the best ways to socialize and best raise your cat or dog!

By Mary L B

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Apr 17, 2018

This was a fun course, and my little dog and 2 cats hope that I learned something.

By Diana B

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May 9, 2020

This was kind of fun to learn more about cats and dogs and the gestures they do!

By Lindsay S

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May 28, 2021

Very good information about both animals and important ownership reminders

By Vyachaslav G

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Sep 3, 2017

Nice. But I still think that there is a lot of extra info in this course

By Desmond O

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Dec 13, 2018

Very interesting course and well informed and enthusiastic tutors.

By Diana C

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Aug 13, 2020

very informative and would consider retake it in near future!

By Megan Y

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Apr 30, 2017

This course was good. It was great to refresh knowledge.

By Wk W

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Jun 29, 2020

Very informative course with good videos and delivery!

By Maria L

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Apr 25, 2017

Very good course, especially for the (new) pet owner!

By Erica M J

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Aug 17, 2022

Great course. Cwrs da iawn very informative course

By Veronica S

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Jun 26, 2020

Basic information, but still useful.

By Ricardo P

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Nov 18, 2020

I have 100% time for cat facts. <3

By prajakta J

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Jun 20, 2020

like the course,.

very informative.

By maryanne e

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Oct 6, 2020

great course! really enjoyed it!

By Sebastian G

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Oct 25, 2025

I think I’ve learned a lot.

By Vladimir R

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Oct 29, 2020

The best of the themes.

By Richard K

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May 27, 2017

Nice overview

By Noureddine I

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Apr 24, 2022

very useful

By Anne b

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Jun 26, 2018

Interesting

By Julio C N P

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May 24, 2017

thanks