| We could spend years debating why cats and dogs | | | | members. They learn by interacting with their owners. |
| are so different, but the answer is easy. They are | | | | When the leader uses rewards to get behaviors that |
| different species. While it can take weeks to train a | | | | will 'group the pack', such as "come" or "sit", dogs |
| cat to "come" or "sit", dogs can learn this behavior in | | | | respond promptly. It's embedded in their DNA. Dogs |
| just about five minutes. On the other hand, cats learn | | | | can be trained because they desire to please their |
| to use a litter box with almost no training, but it can | | | | owners. Cats.... well, it's not the same with them. |
| take tons of persistence to do the same with a small | | | | Dogs also learn what not to do when another member |
| dog. It's obvious that what's important for dogs is not | | | | of the pack growls or snips at them. The dog will avoid |
| important for cats and vice versa. | | | | repeating the situation, especially to please a high |
| The main difference is this: dogs are pack animals; | | | | ranking member of the pack. That negative |
| cats tend to be more independent, though not solitary | | | | reinforcement works with dogs, but a cat, will avoid the |
| animals as some perceive them. | | | | source of the punishment, clearly, their owner, so |
| Dogs are social creatures and are happy and content | | | | punishment will not work on a cat. |
| in a group situation. If an owner provides proper | | | | Picture a hunting situation in the wild with a cat: she |
| leadership, he or she becomes the pack leader and | | | | goes out hunting alone, stalks her pray, and in case of |
| the dogs will view them with respect. However, if they | | | | danger, she can jump and climb to get away. Now |
| are treated badly, they will still remain in the pack | | | | picture a dog in the same situation. He follows his pray |
| because they are attached to their people. | | | | through scent, but he's not very stealthy. If confronted, |
| Cats form groups, but there is not a structure of | | | | he will have to fight. Dogs use fighting to defend |
| leadership. They are very territorial but they will share | | | | themselves; cats are agile enough to escape. The |
| their territory, as long as their needs are met and | | | | concept of 'flight or fight' is very important for dogs. |
| they're not treated badly. | | | | That's why hunting in a pack is what's effective for |
| Dogs normally attach to its group, and not their | | | | them. |
| surroundings. You can take your dog to work with you | | | | What does all this mean? |
| or move to another house, and the dog will be happy | | | | The difference between cats and dogs can be |
| as long as he's with you. Although cats also get | | | | summarized beautifully with this statement: "My dog |
| attached to people, if you take your cat away from its | | | | looks at all the things I provide for her and says 'You |
| regular surroundings, he or she will develop fear and | | | | must be God.' My cat looks at all the things I provide |
| anxiety. | | | | for him and says 'I must be God'. |
| Dogs learn everything from observing other pack | | | | |