This course explores the mysterious world of canine cognition, delving into what dogs think, perceive, and believe. The learning outcomes include gaining insight into how dogs understand humans, the variance in their responses, their sensory capabilities, and their emotional lives. The course teaches about deep episodic memory, theory of mind, and the roles dogs play in human lives. The teaching method involves lectures by prominent researchers in the field. The intended audience includes dog owners, animal behavior enthusiasts, and individuals interested in understanding the minds of animals.
Overview
Syllabus
Intro
The Challenge
The Need to Understand
Humans Domesticated Dogs
Human Fecal Matter
Dogs and Humans
Misinterpretation
Variance in Responses
Smell
Visual vs olfactory
Deep episodic memory
The theory of mind
What have you learned
What dogs do for us
Do dogs help with longevity
Do dogs sense their own deaths
Do dogs need another dog
Puppy mills and kill shelters
Do dogs dream
Puppy vs middleaged dog
The guilty look
Taught by
The Aspen Institute
