victreeb3l
Member
Dogs are cool but cats are way cuter and better
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Dogs - smarter than we thought - process language like humans.
- Thread starter seanoff
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heh, funny cause my dog definitely smells more than my cats (ok, the new kittens aren't as nice smelling but usually cats are not that smelly). Gotta give her a bath every month if you want her to stay smelling nicely. Most cats are no baths required (as I said, my current kittens are a bit smelly for cats).
timetokill
Banned
AWF is talking about the pee/poo in particular. Cat pee has a specific chemical in it that makes it smell much worse than from dogs.
neurosyphilis
Definitely not an STD, as I'm a pure.
Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn.
petran79
Banned
Dogs, especially when they are puppies, require much more care, time and training both in and outside the house. So it is more usual to get a bond with the animal but also more easy to mess it up with wrong training or bad behavior.
My friend had a dog. She was stray and was mistreated by her owner in his gas station.She was afraid and timid. He decided to adopt her. But he was irresponsible since he had not sterilized her. As a result she gave birth to puppies twice. The second time his life and work became a mess for days, his home was full of poo and the neighbourhood was upset from the puppies cries. He could not sleep for 4 days.
Unfortunately that dog was lost when he gave it to a colleague for a few days, while on a trip. He kept the puppy that resembled her mother.
AntraxSuicide
Banned
My own dog got a lot of his Pug/Boston Terrier father in him, so he's the same way (his mom was an Australian shepherd lolol).
A mix of this:
and this:
gave me this little nugget:
He definitely has a good vocab down now. I'd guess about 20-30 good terms that he can differentiate.
Well if you clean the litterbox everyday that's not an issue. (and yes, I have both animals and I'm well aware that cat pee is stronger than dog pee... especially as I have one cat who would have accidents when she has a urinary tract infection and a dog who is getting incontinent in her old age. Neither smell like their pee though).
flyinpiranha
Member
NVM, pointless argument ...
My dog is the kind of dog who loves everyone but she definitely has her favorites and that is those who give her all sorts of attetion when they see her. I used to take her to a friend's house when we roleplayed and she would definitely act more excited to see one friend who would give her love and treats over another who would just say hi to her and then ignore her (with that friend she'd wag her tail once or twice and take attention but not get near as excited as with the friend who really paid attention to her). I also used to work at a vet and she'd go with me and she had a favorite pair of customers because they always lavished all sorts of attention on her when they came in. YOu could tell she recognized and was excited to see them not just cause "ooh people" but because she particularly liked those people.
You still have to earn a dog's love, even the super friendly ones. I mean though super friendly ones might be friendly to you regardless, they are going to show more love and excitement if you've spent time and done good things with/for them. Same with cats really except more so cause most cats are more reserved (and timid about strangers). Hell, my super timid siamese that was afraid of everyone but me had at least one friend she was more ok with than other friends (Same one who lavished attention on my dog). She actually let that friend pet her a few times when she was taking care of her for me (That's a lot for that cat, she really was afraid of most people, even I it took three months to get her to let me pet her). Though I had one cat who loved everyone and I think she loved everyone equally (she never did seem to have favorites between people she knew and didn't know, she just wanted attention from everyone).
In the end, it's the really rare pet that doesn't have favorites who are people who earned being that favorite (basically give them more attention and love). I've only had one so far that was that way and that would be the cat I mentioned. Most animals are still going to require you give them attention and love to earn most their love (vs. just I like people, yay but anyone will do). Well unless you are talking about a snake or reptile
(though Ihad one snake who apparently was bitey with everyone who got him except the last person he ended with who he apparently was ok with).Owner: "You're so stupid! Yes you are! Yes you are!"
Dog: "!!!"
lmao
QuantumSquid
Member
What grosses me the fuck out about dogs is how they constantly lick you. Ugh.
I have this one friend who shares food with his dog (lets his dog take a bite, then finishes the rest) and lets the dog lick his MOUTH.
Dogs eat their own shit. You now have dog shit germs inside your mouth and all over your face.
I realize that dog mouths are allegedly cleaner than human mouths, but guess what? That doesn't make them clean, that just means they're a little less disgusting.
I have this one friend who shares food with his dog (lets his dog take a bite, then finishes the rest) and lets the dog lick his MOUTH.
Dogs eat their own shit. You now have dog shit germs inside your mouth and all over your face.
I realize that dog mouths are allegedly cleaner than human mouths, but guess what? That doesn't make them clean, that just means they're a little less disgusting.
I mean, cats piss and shit in a sandbox that they dig around in and inevitably step on, and their solution to this is to lick themselves as if that's actually sanitary.
There's a reason pregnant women are told not to handle cat litter... again, the cat litter these things step in.
It's probably not to the same degree that humans show affection to another human, but studies shows that dogs express psychological behaviors and effects that are equivalent to "love" and "affection," such as the release of oxytocin when interacting positively with their owners. They also rely on human guidance for problem solving and assurance and are more likely than cats, wolves, and even the great apes to look at us in order to communicate the need for help when they've failed a problem or a need for assurance during training or stressful situations. And again, they also understand innately human gestures such as pointing with the finger without needing to be trained. There is indeed a biological cooperation on part of humans and dogs that is equitable to "love," and it is indeed specifically unique to the species. That is scientifically not in question anymore. The question nowadays is to what extent do dogs express this emotion, same as with other mammals. After all, it seems weird to me to think that with our emotions being tied to our success as a species, specifically with gathering into groups and procreation, that other social species wouldn't have similar chemical and physical processes going on too. We're not that special.
I was thinking this. Then I remembered many on this forum argue about which box of circuits is better than another. Suddenly I'm not surprised.
Like most of this stuff in small doses a bit of "cats vs dogs" jostling is moderately funny but it quickly becomes very, very dull.
Having once rescued a puppy and kitten from the same home and experienced the little suckers live their lives as the literal best of friends it's indeed a pointless argument.
That said I will admit dogs have one thing on cats: they're a lot more likely to starve themselves than eat you if trapped alone with your dead body. Of course technically this makes cats smarter in staying alive by chowing down on you so maybe it's another draw.
Crayon
Member
There's a lot of dogs with GAF accounts
We know they know words thanks to this sciectastic study.
This is like saying people eat boogers. Yeah, some gross ones do. The vast majority do not. My dog has never tried to eat his own shit.
Also, if you train your dog right, they shouldn't constantly lick. They're like children. You have to teach them social norms.
QuantumSquid
Member
You make a good point. Still, at least cats have the dignity to not lick their owners on sight like dogs do. The only way I can get my cats to lick my hand is if I put something cats like on it (like catnip) and hold it up to their nose.
Sorry, I worded that incorrectly. I meant that my friend's dog eats its own shit. I've seen it happen.
flaxknuckles
Member
I had a cat that would lick the shit out of my hands all the time when I pet her.
Yeah people who don't get cats will never learn. Of course the cat is a dick if it's surrounded by dicks. Dogs are no different, but I think they are less likely to encounter negative human behavior towards them.
Octavianus
Banned
Parrots rule dogs drool.
shinobi602
Member
Cats are such an intellectual enigma that scientists still haven't been able to figure them out. Still remains:
Cats - 1
Dogs - 0
Version 3.0
Member
This study suggests they do process language in a similar manner to the way we do. I don't see how that's surprising. Again: humans are not separate from animals. We're just animals with very large brains. Why would our brains work differently from other animals? Especially the ones most closely related to us, like primates, or a little further away on the tree, other mammals?
They still don't even understand purring iirc?
Many dogs don't lick their owners without prompting. Mine sure doesn't (west highland terrier). It depends upon the breed and specimen, honestly. Although, half of that is also on people for sticking their faces into a dog's.
Not really. Dogs have significantly more genetic variation than cats do, which allows them to possess a range of temperaments and physical capabilities that actively benefit a greater range of demographics and lifestyles than pretty much any other animal kept as a pet. They are basically the closest thing we have to Pokemon.
QuantumSquid
Member
Devil's advocate: there is no rhyme or reason to anything cats do, because they're just really stupid. That's why nobody can figure them out.
Intonation and body language seem less like conditioning and more of an instinctual thing, simply because we use them in similar ways to social canines without the need for repetition. You speak to an untrained, unconditioned puppy you've never met in a high pitched voice and it's going to exhibit neutral to positive physical gestures towards you.
BlitzerRadic
Member
When you train a dog to respond to the command "sit," it's nothing more than conditioning. You can substitute the word sit for some other stimuli - the word "run" or snapping your fingers etc. The dog doesn't understand anything, it's just a conditioned response to a specific stimulus.
YesNOnoNOYes
Member
are there cats service animals? like the guide dogs?
i like both :>
im just wondering, about their brain / intelligent capacity with regards to how these animals contribute to the human life (e.g. in case of a visually impaired person, etc.)
cuz dogs seem to contribute a fair bit more than they are just pets.
but ....cats and dogs and other pets are awesome as pets, i think
i like both :>
im just wondering, about their brain / intelligent capacity with regards to how these animals contribute to the human life (e.g. in case of a visually impaired person, etc.)
cuz dogs seem to contribute a fair bit more than they are just pets.
but ....cats and dogs and other pets are awesome as pets, i think
SolicitorPirate
Member
I adore my cat. She greets me everytime I come home, even if I just left for 15 minutes. She follows me everywhere I go, regularly comes to me for pats and attention and snuggles when I go to bed. She even comes over specifically when I call her name.
She's still basically an off brand dog at best though
She's still basically an off brand dog at best though
adamsappel
Member
Why would you hold your shit in your hands?
Cindi Mayweather
Member
Eh.
I'm not sure why people are supposed to like both as pets. This "both are great" is fine but when you try to guilt people into their preferences like that it seems kinda asshole-ish. Honestly, I like both. If I see a friend's dog or a cute dog being walked on the street I'm gonna wanna pet it and baby talk it. I do the same thing with cats. I love animals. But when it comes to having a pet, I just don't think dogs make good pets, at least for what I want out of a pet. I would prefer cats as a pet but even then I'd still be picking up shit from a littler box and making sure I don't breath in the litter so I don't get toxoplasmosis. So honestly, as pets? Probably neither. I'd rather stick with fish, thank you.
Also, that idea that dogs are better as pets because they wouldn't eat you honestly doesn't put any points in their or dog lovers favor. It fully reinforces the idea earlier in this thread that many dog owners just own them for narcissistic reasons. "My dog wouldn't eat me if I died" isn't the most glowing of endorsements and is a little sad. To the point where you want something to validate your existence so much that you'd rather it starve and have common sense. If my pet were with me on a deserted island I'd fucking eat it if I had the chance, and saying that dogs wouldn't eat you just makes them look even more pathetic in the animal kingdom. "Well dogs don't eat you when you die!" Loving animals is cool but when you get to that kind of hubris it's fucking weird and a lot of pet owners weird me out for that reason.
YesNOnoNOYes
Member
cindi, i think a fish probably is most suitable for you if that's what you are looking for in a pet :> bar the occasional cleaning of their aquarium, they are very easy to care for. or turtles, they are low maintenance also, and they are beautiful animals.
plants also are a great alternative to care for. i've started to keep a few indoors potted plants and caring for their well being is a different alternative to having a pet (and one that is also rewarding) (also, they are pretty)
plants also are a great alternative to care for. i've started to keep a few indoors potted plants and caring for their well being is a different alternative to having a pet (and one that is also rewarding) (also, they are pretty)
Metaphoreus
This is semantics, and nothing more
... that stimulus being a word that the dog hears, processes, and associates with some action, occurrence, or object. How is that not understanding? If you're arguing that a dog doesn't know the true definition of a word that he or she associates with some action, occurrence, or object, then that's true, but nobody's saying the dog does.
Ask yourself this: Do you have to understand that "sentar" means "poner o colocar a uno en silla, banco, etc., de manera que quede apoyado y descansando sobre las nalgas" to know that when someone tells you, "Siéntate," you are to sit down? If you only know that you are to sit down when told, "Siéntate," do you therefore not understand it? Or, if someone told you that "perro" means to sit down, wouldn't you understand--in the sense in which those who are disagreeing with you are using that term--"perro" to mean to sit down, notwithstanding the fact that it actually refers to a "mamífero carnívoro, doméstico, de tamaño, forma y pelaje muy diversos" that "tiene olfato muy fino y es inteligente y muy leal al hombre"?
Cindi Mayweather
Member
I've got lots of plants and love taking care of them.
Honestly, I'd still consider getting a cat. They are my favorite animal. The big ones that is. I've never had a cat but I've had 5-6 dogs. So my worry is that my (mostly) bad experience with dogs is keeping me away from cat ownership, because I fear I've built up in my head an idealized view of cat ownership. Maybe litter boxes aren't as bad as I think, I don't know.
I think I'll need time before I have another pet, whether cat or fish. I just haven't had good experiences with pets in my life. Either my best buddy (black lab puppy, still my favorite dog breed) dies from heart worms even when I give him his medicine, or it's just fucking boring and dies prematurely (hermit crab), or I have no emotional connection with the animal (last dog, sprung upon me outside of my control and suddenly it was "my" dog because it took a liking to me more than them; forms the basis of my most dog owners are selfish and egotistical idea).
I love the idea of pets. Maybe I haven't met the right pet. Then again, I did, and he went and got heart worms and broke my heart.
YesNOnoNOYes
Member
yeah, my heart dog also left me broken hearted earlier this year. he was only 7 years old. im still a wreck x___x...
take your time. pets are a huge commitment~ ....the experience of caring for another living being is very rewarding in the long run (my personal opinions).
plants are awesome :> i've got potted plants and there's this incredible 50 years old gum tree in my backyard and they are really lovely to live with and to appreciate
cats sounds like your future dream pet, and i hope you will find one that will click and connect with you :>
nelsonroyale
Member
Confirming the experientially and intuitively obvious. Who is this 'we'? The researchers?
try to stop it
ill send agents
pembroke welsh corgis are the 11th most intelligent breed haters watch yr back
the announcement of metal gear survive was a rough time for all of us
Monocle
Member
Yep, dogs are great. And yeah, while they apparently can't separate the tone of words from their meaning, they're wonderfully empathetic.
A: the only assholeish thing is the childish "preference = better" thing going on (albeit in some cases humourously. Obviously they're equally good pets depending on your preference which is my point. Having a preference is fine, saying your preference is better isn't.
B: did you just seriously consider the element about your pets eating you as criteria? You realize I was just being humourously? Actually I guess you didn't.
Anyway short version: people really do need to stop trying to argue preferences equate to better. There's no criteria to state which is better and of course it's a variant answer.
As a joke it's fine but it does wear thin in anything other than small doses.
This is the internet where cats rule. Your opinion means very little to our cat gods
We don't understand meowing even. Cats meow at humans but they stop meowing to cats after they get older. Weird huh
Dogs rule the real world. They are actually useful as animals that can help humans find other people, hunt, and assist with movement of disabled. Dogs have been winning with people since we domesticated them. Dogs are literally the first pet ever.
bloodydrake
Cool Smoke Luke
Then why the fuck wont my dog listen?!
cuz you haven't established your the alpha in that pack.
dogs instinctively fill roles, if you leave a void they will take control..you need to calmly but firmly establish that you are in charge, don't let your dog get away with disobedience.
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