Why is it that cats do whatever they want to? They make much more trouble than dogs. Why?

I have had dogs %26amp; I have had cats %26amp; all at different times. I feel much more at ease %26amp; satisfied with a dog becuase a dog doesn't climb on top or a refrigerator or on top of the dining room table. I found that my cat chewed more shoes than any of my dogs ever did. Even when told not to do something a cat will continue to do it. It knows better not to %26amp; will do it when you're not around and sometimes right in front of your face. A dog will listen to you when you say "no." Why are cats this way? I have a baby on the way and I don't want my cat in the crib or taking her toys but I know it will just do what it wants. I know I can trust a dog not to do these things once I tell it not to. So why do they continue to do things despite what you have tried to teach them consistantly? Another example is meowing. A dog you can teach to stop, but a cat will not stop when scolded. They don't make "no meow collars" for cats like they do for dogs and often cats can be much more obnoxious w/ meowing.

Why is it that cats do whatever they want to? They make much more trouble than dogs. Why?
Dogs are pack animals and are subservient to a pack leader; in the domestic environment, you are the pack leader and your dog does what it is told. What appears to be faithfulness is often the submissive behaviour of an animal evolved to be social. Cats do not form hierarchical packs, but they do form colonies based around related cats. The females form the a loose hierarchy while the males are more solitary and often itinerant, visiting different females in different parts of their territory. Cats initially view you as individuals sharing the same space and their attachment to you depends on your behaviour towards them - a bullied cat leaves or retaliates, a bullied dog all too often comes back for more. Feline aloofness is the indifferent behaviour of an animal which does not live in strictly hierarchical communities and has not needed to develop canine-style social behaviour. Remember too that dogs hunt in packs, they need each other, but cats are solo predators, capable of taking care of themselves.





Cats don't only live at floor level, climbing is natural behaviour for them, which is why they like to sit up on high places. The best way to keep them off tables, kitchen work tops etc., is to offer them an acceptable alternative such as a cat jungle, bookcase or shelf.





Cats communicate with each other though scent and body language. Humans don't always understand this body language, so cats have learned that they need to be vocal with humans when they want to get our attention.





The web articles below offer good advice on how to prepare your cat for the arrival of a baby which you may find helpful.





http://www.messybeast.com/cat_baby.htm


http://www.bluecross.org.uk/web/FILES/li...





Good luck.
Reply:my cats are all trained to not go on the table, counters, or fridge ... just like w/ a dog - training %26amp; consistancy.


i love them both to death %26amp; am glad to have cats %26amp; dogs in my home.
Reply:Obviously, you're not a cat person. Many of the things you describe are instinctual with cats, so very hard to discourage. Sometimes all you can do is put the cat in a different room or try to "out think" the cat. However, since you have a baby on the way, the cat may be just too much to handle. Find a new home for the kitty before the baby comes. Maybe when the child is about 4 years old you can consider a cat again.





As far as trusting a dog with a baby, I would never do it. You can say you know your dog and it would "never" hurt the child, but because it is an animal you can't be 100% sure. I wouldn't want to risk the health or welfare (or life) of my child.
Reply:never keep a cat they only care about themselves.dogs love people if treated decently.
Reply:I train my cats too. If my cats are doing something really bad I will use a squirt bottle and a "hiss". Later all I have to do it "hiss" and they stop.





I like when my cats talk, so meowing isn't a problem. Some breeds of cats are quieter than others. I have a super sweet Persian. She rarely makes noise. She does love to scratch so I got her a tall scratching post/bed combo. And I get after her if she uses my chair instead. So she now uses the post everyday.





Cats can be clicker trained also.





My cats behave great, but I encourage good behavior and discourage bad bahavior.





Current cat is 14 living with 2 1yr. old pups. Last cat lived to 20 with up to 6 dogs.





If my cat meows at me , it means she is hungry or her box needs cleaning. She does not meow for nothing.
Reply:Dogs have owners, cats have staff. They are independent critters and don't take to being trained very well. With patience and perseverance you can teach them not to jump on furniture and to use a scratching post but it's near impossible to get any more out of them!


http://www.nanceestar.com/CatRunHouse.ht...


This might help you understand your kitty a little better!
Reply:Duct Tape (sticky side up) placed where ever you do not want the cat jumping works wonders(worked on a Siamese). Meowing usually means something is desired by the owner of the meow. Check to see where the cat is when it starts talking to you. And if you do have a Siamese then I suggest just talking back to her. Meow back to her. If she is dancing around a food or water dish it could be you have neglected your "room service duties"





I had 2 cats before my daughter was born. I was concerned about one (the Siamese). None of my fears were ever realized. My tabby cat took it upon himself to be a critic of the baby's cries. He even looked at me funny when my daughter was screaming with this look on his face that said, "Where is the off switch for that noise box?"





Try the Duct tape though. After getting that ripped off of them the following morning they soon learn not to jump where they aren't wanted.
Reply:I have cats, and they're sooooooo wonderful!!! I have dogs too, and they're soooooo wonderful!!!





(: Our cats hang around outside though. I think they like it out there and they are smart and can explore!!! Make sure your kitty cat is safe though. :)





Why did you get a cat if you dislike them so much???



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