Inside Your Dog's Mind with Victoria Stilwell from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objectives

Gain a thorough understanding of the canine mind and develop tailor-made training plans and communication techniques to enrich the relationship with your dog.
Explore the different ways dogs learn (including associative and operant learning), find out how good of an imitator your dog is, and determine whether your dogs are dependent or independent learners.
Utilize custom-built cognition games and exercises to more effectively teach and communicate your dogs.
Learn about the difference between behaviorism and cognition, including the evolution in dog training in recent history.
Test your dog’s intelligence and learning style.

Find out the latest scientific research about whether or not dogs feel certain emotions including love, guilt, jealousy and joy.
Gain a better understanding of your dog’s cognitive profile using the five cognitive dimensions, including empathy, intention-reading, memory, reasoning and cunning.
Investigate the physiology of the canine brain and understand why an awareness of how your dog’s neurotransmitters and hormones affect how you can interact more effectively.
Explore how the evolution from wolf to dog has influenced how our modern dogs think, feel and learn.

Gain a thorough understanding of the canine mind and develop tailor-made training plans and communication techniques to enrich the relationship with your dog.
Explore the different ways dogs learn (including associative and operant learning), find out how good of an imitator your dog is, and determine whether your dogs are dependent or independent learners.
Utilize custom-built cognition games and exercises to more effectively teach and communicate your dogs.
Learn about the difference between behaviorism and cognition, including the evolution in dog training in recent history.
Test your dog’s intelligence and learning style.
Find out the latest scientific research about whether or not dogs feel certain emotions including love, guilt, jealousy and joy.
Gain a better understanding of your dog’s cognitive profile using the five cognitive dimensions, including empathy, intention-reading, memory, reasoning and cunning.
Investigate the physiology of the canine brain and understand why an awareness of how your dog’s neurotransmitters and hormones affect how you can interact more effectively.
Explore how the evolution from wolf to dog has influenced how our modern dogs think, feel and learn.

Syllabus

Course Introduction

Renowned TV dog behavior expert Victoria Stilwell lays out the structure of the course, including background on why she feels this topic is so crucial for dog owners to understand as well as her experiences which led to her fascination with the canine mind. Victoria also explains how the interactive dog games, tests and activities will work throughout the course and kicks things off with a suggestion of how to create a baseline understanding of how you perceive your dog's actions and thought processes prior to taking the course.

Learning Goals for the Course

Explanation of Dog Activities During the Course

ACTIVITY - Dog Observation

In this section, students will learn about the scientific history, definitions and importance of the study of the canine mind, including an overview of the current state of animal behavioral science.

What Is Cognition?

Behaviorism vs Cognition

Canine Cognitive Science

Victoria discusses the evolution of dogs and why understanding where they come from helps owners and trainers today when building communication platforms with our dogs.

Wolves and Dogs

Domestication

Adaptation

Breeding

ACTIVITY - Wolf vs Dog Features Quiz

Students will learn about the biology of the canine brain and how understanding brain chemistry adds to the effective teaching tools for dog owners and trainers.

Biology & the Brain

Neurotransmitters

Hormones

Students explore what intelligence really means, the factors involved in determining it, and some exercises to measure how well dogs really know themselves.

How to Define Intelligence

What Intelligence Depends Upon

ACTIVITY - How Well Do Your Dogs Know Themselves?

How Do We Know What Dogs Are Thinking?

Victoria explains the different types of learning, guides students through how to identify learning types, and explains the importance of these concepts when building relationships with dogs.

Types of Learning

Associative Learning

Operant Learning

ACTIVITY - Identify the Type of Learning

Imitation

Independent & Dependent Learners

The Effect of Learning on the Dog's Mind

What's the difference between feelings and emotions, and what are dogs capable of? Can they really love? Do they feel guilt? These lessons and exercises desmonstrate the truth behind how dogs feel.

The Emotional Life of Dogs

Happiness & Joy

Sadness

Guilt

ACTIVITY - Identifying 'Guilty' Body Language Signals

Jealousy

Bonding - The Biology of Love

The underpinning of any understanding of canine cognition, these concepts are explored in depth, including many interactive exercises to increase understanding of your dog's cognitive profile.

Introduction to the Five Cognitive Dimensions

Intention-Reading (Communication)

Similarities Between Dogs and Children

Understanding Gaze

ACTIVITY - Left Gaze Bias Test

ACTIVITY - Understanding Human Gestures (Pointing)

ACTIVITY - Following a Pointed Foot

ACTIVITY - Following Body Orientation

Putting It All Together

Canine-to-Canine Intention-Reading

VIDEO - Analyzing Canine Intention-Reading

ACTIVITY - How Aware Is Your Dog of Your Attentional State?

Can dogs truly empathize with us, or are we anthropomorphizing? Interesting explorations into the concept of emotional contagion between dog and man.

Do Dogs Feel Empathy?

Emotional Contagion

ACTIVITY - Can Your Dog Catch Your Yawn?

How good is your dog's memory? Short or long term? Sight, sound or smell-based? Victoria explains how determining a dog's memory skills can help identify more effective training protocols and skills.

Understanding Canine Memory

Olfactory Memory

Auditory Memory

Social Memory

Short & Long-Term Memory

ACTIVITY - Testing Your Dog's Memory

All dogs solve problems differently - what kind of problem-solver is your dog? Can they link multiple concepts together to achieve an ultimate goal, or do they depend more on you?

Canine Problem-Solving

ACTIVITY - What Kind of Problem-Solver Is Your Dog?

Cunning is different that deception - explore how dogs employ their cognitive abilities to achieve desired results, sometimes with interesting results.

What Is Cunning?

ACTIVITY - How Cunning Is Your Dog?

A wrap-up by Victoria about where to go from here and how to employ your newfound knowledge to make the world better both for you and your dog.

Summary and Final Tips

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops a deep understanding of canine cognition, providing valuable insights for dog owners and enthusiasts

Empowers learners to tailor-made training plans and communication techniques, enriching the relationship with their dogs

Teaches practical cognition games and exercises to enhance communication and learning

Explores various ways dogs learn, including associative and operant learning, aiding in effective training

Reveals the latest scientific research on canine emotions, fostering a deeper understanding of dogs' emotional lives

Instructs how to identify and interpret dogs' cognitive profiles using the Five Cognitive Dimensions

Reviews summary

Engaging dog training course

According to students, this course delivers engaging and fun training techniques for dogs. Positive reviews describe the instructor's passion for dogs and easy-to-follow lessons. While the course may be basic for some, reviewers still find value in the course's practical tips and positive training methods.

The course covers basic dog training concepts.

"The information presented was basic for those with any background in behavior modification, learning etc."

The course provides fun and engaging training techniques.

"you'll learn something and come away with some fun games for you and your dog."

The course emphasizes positive reinforcement training methods.

"And no negative techniques!"

Victoria Stilwell's enthusiasm and love for dogs shines through.

"Victoria's natural enthusiasm and love for dogs is such that it was never dull."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Inside Your Dog's Mind with Victoria Stilwell with these activities:

Review dog training basics

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Refreshing your knowledge on the fundamentals of dog training will help you understand the principles and techniques discussed in this course, making it easier to apply them to your own dog's training.

Browse courses on Dog Training

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Review the basic obedience commands (sit, stay, come, down, heel) and their hand signals.
Think about how you have used these commands in the past and what worked well or didn't work well.
Consider any challenges you've faced in training your dog and how you might approach them differently now.

Practice clicker training

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Clicker training is a great way to reinforce positive behaviors in dogs. Practicing clicker training will help you develop the skills you need to effectively train your dog using positive reinforcement.

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Get a clicker and some high-value treats.
Start by clicking the clicker and giving your dog a treat immediately after.
Once your dog understands that the click means a treat is coming, start clicking to mark desired behaviors.

Observe and Analyze a Dog's Body Language

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Strengthen your ability to understand the emotional state of your dog by studying how body language communicates messages about fear, aggression, playfulness, and other behaviors.

Browse courses on Behavioral Analysis

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Identify a reliable resource that provides comprehensive information on dog body language
Observe your own dog or other familiar dogs in various situations, paying close attention to their posture, facial expressions, and tail movements
Compare your observations to the information in the resource

Five other activities

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Watch videos on dog body language

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Understanding dog body language is essential for effective communication with your dog. Watching videos on dog body language will help you learn to interpret your dog's signals and respond appropriately.

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Search for videos on dog body language on YouTube or other video-sharing platforms.
Watch the videos and pay attention to the different body language signals that dogs use.
Try to identify the emotions or intentions that are being communicated by the dogs in the videos.

Join a dog training class or group

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Joining a dog training class or group will provide you with the opportunity to learn from experienced trainers and other dog owners. This can help you develop your skills and knowledge in a supportive environment.

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Research different dog training classes or groups in your area.
Choose a class or group that fits your needs and goals.
Attend the classes or group sessions regularly and participate actively.

Create a training plan for your dog

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Creating a training plan for your dog will help you organize your training goals and track your progress. This will help you stay motivated and ensure that you are providing your dog with the training they need.

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Identify your training goals for your dog.
Research different training methods and techniques.
Create a training schedule that fits into your lifestyle and your dog's needs.

Attend a workshop on canine cognition

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Attending a workshop on canine cognition will give you the opportunity to learn about the latest research on how dogs think and learn. This knowledge can help you develop more effective training methods and improve your overall relationship with your dog.

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Research different workshops on canine cognition.
Choose a workshop that fits your interests and needs.
Attend the workshop and participate actively.

Volunteer at a local animal shelter or rescue organization

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Volunteering at a local animal shelter or rescue organization will give you the opportunity to work with dogs and learn from experienced staff. This can help you develop your skills and knowledge while also making a difference in the lives of animals.

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Contact your local animal shelter or rescue organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Complete any required volunteer training.
Volunteer regularly and participate in a variety of activities, such as dog walking, cleaning, and training.
Ask experienced staff questions about dog behavior and training.

Career center

Learners who complete Inside Your Dog's Mind with Victoria Stilwell will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Animal Behaviorist

Animal Behaviorists work with animals to modify their behavior and address behavioral problems. They use a variety of techniques, including positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, and punishment. This course may be useful for Animal Behaviorists because it provides a comprehensive overview of canine cognition and behavior. This knowledge can help Animal Behaviorists better understand and treat their patients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animal Behaviorist

Dog Trainer

Dog Trainers work with dogs and their owners to teach them obedience commands and address behavioral problems. They use a variety of methods, including positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, and punishment. This course may be useful for Dog Trainers because it provides detailed knowledge about canine cognition and behavior. This knowledge can help Dog Trainers develop more effective and humane training plans.

See salaries and explore the career path for Dog Trainer

Psychologist

Psychologists study the mind and behavior of humans and animals. They use a variety of methods to conduct research on topics such as learning, memory, and emotion. This course may be helpful for Psychologists who study animal behavior or cognition. The course provides insights into the behavior and cognition of dogs, which can help Psychologists better understand their research subjects.

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Biologist

Biologists study living organisms and their interactions with the environment. They conduct research on a variety of topics, including animal behavior, ecology, and genetics. This course may be helpful for Biologists who study animal behavior or cognition. The course provides insights into the behavior and cognition of dogs, which can help Biologists better understand their research subjects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Biologist

Neuroscientist

Neuroscientists study the brain and nervous system. They use a variety of methods to conduct research on topics such as learning, memory, and emotion. This course may be helpful for Neuroscientists who study animal behavior or cognition. The course provides insights into the behavior and cognition of dogs, which can help Neuroscientists better understand their research subjects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Neuroscientist

Ethologist

Ethologists study the behavior of animals in their natural environment. They observe and record animals' behavior, and they use this information to understand how animals interact with each other and with their environment. This course may be helpful for Ethologists who study dogs. The course provides insights into the behavior and cognition of dogs, which can help Ethologists better understand their research subjects.

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Animal Control Officer

Animal Control Officers are responsible for enforcing animal welfare laws and regulations. They investigate animal cruelty cases, respond to animal complaints, and educate the public about animal welfare. This course may be helpful for Animal Control Officers because it provides insights into the behavior and cognition of dogs. This knowledge can help Animal Control Officers better understand and enforce animal welfare laws and regulations.

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Animal Caretaker

Animal Caretakers are responsible for the care and well-being of animals in a variety of settings, including animal shelters, zoos, and research facilities. They feed, clean, and provide medical care for the animals, as well as provide enrichment activities. This course may be helpful for Animal Caretakers because it provides insights into the behavior and cognition of dogs. This knowledge can help Animal Caretakers better understand and care for the dogs in their care.

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Veterinary Technician

Veterinary Technicians are responsible for providing care to animals under the supervision of a veterinarian. They perform a variety of tasks, including taking vital signs, administering medication, and assisting with surgery. This course may be helpful for Veterinary Technicians because it provides insights into the behavior and cognition of dogs. This knowledge can help Veterinary Technicians better understand and care for their patients.

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Animal Welfare Officer

Animal Welfare Officers work to protect the welfare of animals. They investigate animal cruelty cases, educate the public about animal welfare, and advocate for changes in animal welfare laws. This course may be helpful for Animal Welfare Officers because it provides insights into the behavior and cognition of dogs. This knowledge can help Animal Welfare Officers better understand and protect animals.

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Pet Sitter

Pet Sitters provide care for pets while their owners are away. They feed, walk, and play with the pets, as well as administer medication and provide other care as needed. This course may be helpful for Pet Sitters because it provides knowledge about canine cognition and behavior. This knowledge can help Pet Sitters better understand and care for the dogs in their care.

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Dog Walker

Dog Walkers are responsible for walking dogs for their owners. They provide exercise and socialization for the dogs, as well as keep them safe and secure. This course may be helpful for Dog Walkers because it provides knowledge about canine cognition and behavior. This knowledge can help Dog Walkers better understand and care for the dogs in their care.

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Zookeeper

Zookeepers are responsible for the care and well-being of animals in a zoo. They feed, clean, and provide medical care for the animals, as well as educate the public about the animals. This course may be helpful for Zookeepers because it provides knowledge about canine cognition and behavior. This knowledge can help Zookeepers better understand and care for the dogs in their zoo.

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Veterinarian

Veterinarians diagnose and treat diseases and injuries in animals. They perform surgery, prescribe medication, and provide other medical care. This course may be helpful for Veterinarians because it provides insights into the behavior and cognition of dogs. This knowledge can help Veterinarians better understand and treat their patients.

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Animal Shelter Manager

Animal Shelter Managers oversee the operations of animal shelters. They are responsible for the care and well-being of the animals in the shelter, as well as for the staff and volunteers. This course may be helpful for Animal Shelter Managers because it provides knowledge about canine cognition and behavior. This knowledge can help Animal Shelter Managers better understand and care for the dogs in their shelter.

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