Frequently Asked Questions

• What’s this course about?
  This course is a beginner’s guide to learning about our dogs’ perspectives: how they view the world, how they think and what is unique about them. Our goal is to break down complex scientific research into simple concepts that you can apply to your life with your dog.
  
• What kind of results can I expect?
  We expect that you will see an improvement in your understanding and relationship with your pet. That said, the results will be proportional to the time and effort you are able to put into taking this course and applying the learnings with your dog.
• How do I know I can trust what I learn from Petminded?
  The Petminded team consists of scientists, pet lovers and animal advocates who are committed to science-based content that promotes the welfare of our pets. We take this commitment very seriously and apply this criteria to any of the experts we invite and all the resources we share with you.
• What happens on the live Zoom calls?
  The live calls will be interactive! We will play games covering different aspects of dog cognition, and our Resident Dog Scientist will help us interpret the results. Plus we have a great line up of experts who will speak to you on different topics every other week.
  
• My dog isn’t always cooperative, can we still learn from the games?
  Yes! Even listening to the interpretation of the games can help in understanding how your dog’s mind works. Generally, most dogs will be curious and want to play. Some dogs do not understand what we are trying to do when we play the games, so they may not cooperate right then. You can always play them again later by watching the recordings. We will also share methods to encourage your dog to play whenever possible. That said, we will never encourage you to do something that may make your dog unhappy or insecure.
  
• Will I need to buy any materials like dog toys to participate?
  The only necessary materials are a good internet connection, some common household items like tupperware containers, and dog treats. We will send a comprehensive list a few weeks prior to the beginning of the class but you likely won’t need to purchase anything.
  
• I have a very young puppy, can we participate?
  Yes, you can participate with a young puppy, in fact this might be a great way to bond with them and understand how they view the world. Keep in mind the cognitive profile of a puppy evolves as they mature so you will need to keep playing the games to get a sense of how they are changing. We think that this is part of the fun of having a young pup!
  
• I have an aging dog, will they get anything out of the games?
  Studies show that dogs as young as 7 years of age can be at risk for cognitive decline. Playing these kinds of games can help to measure the rate and type of cognitive decline in our pups. Also dogs who train and play games throughout their lives show a slower rate of cognitive decline as they get older.
  
• Where is this taking place?
  All other course materials, recordings and links will be in a private online community you can access anytime. The live sessions take place on Zoom. You will receive login details and a detailed schedule upon signing up. All you need is access to a good internet connection, and your pup!
  
• Will the live sessions be recorded?
  Yes, all sessions will be recorded and uploaded to the Community Forum each week. You have access to all the course content for 6 months so you can review and go through the modules as many times as you’d like.
  
• How much time do I need to devote to the course each week?
  We have designed this course in a way that even if you can't attend all the live sessions you can follow along in the Community Forum. We recommend a time commitment of 1-3 hours each week which includes live sessions, office hours and weekly readings, but it’s flexible! You can join all the sessions and office hours, or pick and choose based on your interest or schedule.
  
• What’s your refund policy?
  If your plans change after you purchase your ticket, we offer a 100% refund minus processing fees up to 2 weeks before the course begins. After that we will happily transfer your registration to the next cohort of the course.
  
• Have more Questions? Email us at [email protected] or feel free to DM us on Instagram.
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