Perceptual Psychology in Dogs

In this webinar, we will first look at how physical stimuli are converted by the sensory organs into electrical signals, and how these electrical signals create the inner experience of a "world out there." The neurobiological basis of smell (but also hearing and sight) will be a particular focus. Due to the different spectra and frequencies that dogs and humans can perceive, both species live in different subjective worlds. This naturally leads to misunderstandings. Can we get closer to an idea of what a dog's world looks, sounds, and smells like?
The second focus will be on how emotions and motivation for certain behaviors (e.g., hunting, eating, reproduction, stress responses) develop from the perception of a stimulus. The sense of smell, in particular, is predestined to communicate directly and unfiltered with the parts of the brain where emotions and motivation originate.
Finally, we will discuss what conclusions can be drawn from these findings for everyday interactions with dogs and hopefully better understand the world from our dogs' perspective.

In this webinar, you will learn:
• the neurobiological basis of perception,
• to understand the different sensory worlds of humans and dogs,
• how dogs smell, hear, and see,
• how emotions and motivation arise from perception,
• to understand the influence of the sense of smell on behavior,
• how misunderstandings between humans and dogs arise due to different perceptions,
• to apply insights from the psychology of perception in dealing with dogs, and
• to better understand the world from the perspective of our dogs.

Our Expert:

Robert Mehl is a psychologist (Dipl.-Psych.) and criminologist (M.A.) with additional therapeutic training as a "Systemic Counselor and Family Therapist" (DGSF) and for the "Professional Use of Dogs in Therapy" (dogument). Since 2016, he has been working freelance as a speaker and systemic counselor and coach. He is also currently undergoing further training as a psychological psychotherapist (specializing in behavioral therapy). He is the author of the book "Die Psyche des Hundes" (The Dog's Psyche) (KOSMOS-Verlag).
More about the expert:
http://www.seminare-robertmehl.de/

Accreditation as further training
The webinar is recognized by the Schleswig-Holstein Chamber of Veterinarians for 2 hours and by the Lower Saxony Chamber of Veterinarians for 2.5 hours as further training; our certificate of attendance must be submitted for this.
https://www.kosmos.de/teilnahmebestaetigung

FAQ Webinars: https://www.kosmos.de/de/content/Footer/Service/FAQ%20E-Learning

Photo credit:
Cover: Anna Auerbach/KOSMOS
Author portrait: Robert Mehl