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 behavior and how they communicate with you will enable you to understand their needs better and strengthen your relationship with them.

This MOOC is divided into five topics, the appliance of science; behavior and body language, senses and perception; challenges for the human-animal relationship, including pet problem behavior; 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 worldwide and have changed over time. We ask if we can know what our animals are thinking or trying to communicate through their facial expressions and behaviors. 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 makeup may influence their behavioral responses and choices. We dispel common behavioral myths by looking through a scientific lens and asking questions about the function and development of their behavior. We explore how their senses help them interact with their world and 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 understand your pet better, enrich their lives, and help you become a more educated and confident pet owner.