Am aware I may not get a huge response to this but, as you may know, the OU are now offering free mini courses under their OpenLearn scheme.
You'll be glad to know that - in amongst all that Art and Literature nonsense, Bella has sniffed out a course which decribes the domestication of dogs. It's not a beginner's course and does use some genetic terminology, but it's very small, has no exam and might make interesting reading on a cold dark night.
here