Online course • A free program on understanding how a dog’s mind works.
Offered by Duke University through Coursera, the Dog Emotion and Cognition course delves into the intriguing realm of dog psychology.
What is it?
Suitable for dog enthusiasts of all levels, Dog Emotion and Cognition is a free course that teaches students how to strengthen their relationship with their dogs by understanding how canines think and feel. It tackles evolutionary and cognitive theory, experimental methodology, and comparisons with other species. Cognitive games are also included, which students can try with their own dogs.
Who’s behind it?
The course is taught by Dr. Brian Hare, an associate professor of evolutionary anthropology at Duke University. The founder of the Duke Canine Cognition Center, Hare also appeared as the host of Nat Geo Wild’s Is Your Dog a Genius?
How much does the course cost?
You can enroll in the Dog Emotion and Cognition course for free by signing up via Coursera.
What does the course include?
The syllabus is divided into eight weeks, and takes about 22 hours to complete. Videos, readings, and quizzes are included in the class. The main topics discussed per week are: The Paradox of a Best Friend That Evolved From Our Worst Enemy, How Biology Studies Cognitive Evolution, Dogs Are Cognitively Remarkable, Evolutionary Accidents and Survival of the Friendliest, Problems That Dogs Can and Cannot Solve, and Finding Your Dog’s Genius.
Why is this course better than other courses?
This course has received a 4.7 star rating from over 1,208 students. By signing up for the course, you can take the classes on your own time and earn a certificate upon completion. The English-speaking videos also include subtitles for other languages. These include Croatian, Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Italian, Vietnamese, German, Russian, and Spanish.
Where can I get it?
Sign up for the Dog Emotion and Cognition course here.
