Which is better – dogs or cats? This question has always been around, perhaps since the time that these animals started getting domesticated. Of course, it is not an argument. Cats and dogs have their own personalities and characteristics. In general, dogs like pleasing their humans and thrive on their praises. Cats, on the other hand, are more aloof, with some cat owners even claiming that their feline friends often act superior.
When it comes to their ability to be trained, though, dogs are the apparent winners. There is a reason you hear about dog obedience training more than you hear cat obedience training! In this post, we are going to take a closer look at why dogs are significantly easier to train than cats:
Cats Might Hear Better But Dogs Are Better Listeners
Both dogs and cats hear incredibly well. This is important to note since it affects how they will perceive your commands. It is a common belief that cats hear better than dogs. However, dogs are better at listening than cats. When you train a dog, he will do what you say. Cats, on the other hand, may obey you, but they also have their own minds, and you may have a hard time getting them to understand what you’re asking them to do.
Dogs Can Process Complex Thought Patterns
While dogs do not have the ability to think and plan as humans do, they can process complicated commands. This means that when you train a dog, you don’t need to repeatedly tell him the same thing. Dogs can process long and complicated sequences and follow them.
Cats, on the other hand, need a lot of repetition in order to learn what you’re telling them to do. In fact, studies have shown that cats cannot process complex commands and only short commands. This is the reason why some people think that cats are able only to do one thing at a time.
Dogs Are More Social, and Cats Are More Solitary
Dogs like to be in groups and to be around other dogs. Cats, on the other hand, prefer to be alone. Dog owners, therefore, have an easier time training their dogs. You can train a dog while you are out of the house by leaving him with a friend or neighbor. The same thing will not work with a cat. Dogs are more comfortable with people than cats are. They will happily accompany their owners everywhere they go. Cats, on the other hand, are more comfortable sitting around their own homes.
Dogs Are Eager to Please and Serve
Dogs are eager to please and serve their owners. This is the reason why they can be easily trained. Dogs are also very loyal and will do anything you ask of them.
Dogs are also very social, which means they thrive on pleasing you. Dogs will take this one step further and want to prove that they are good dogs. When you tell a dog to do something, he will go out of his way to accomplish the task.
Training Approach Matters, Too
Most dog owners think that all dogs are more or less the same. This is not true. It is actually important to find the right breed for your home. Labrador retrievers, for example, are incredibly easy to train, whereas chihuahuas are very difficult to train. Besides that, the training approach also matters. Dogs are actually very easy to train. All you need to do is be consistent and patient and to set aside a daily routine to train him. You need to praise him when he does something right and give him treats when he deserves them.
Even though cats are often seen as independent, they, too, can be trained to do various things. You just need to find the right approach to use. Therefore, training your cat may take more time, effort, and patience than training your dog. However, it is worth it. You will have a loyal, obedient and happy cat.
Conclusion
Now that you know why dogs are easier to train than cats, which pet would you like to have? Whichever you choose, know that both cat or dog obedience training requires your patience and dedication. You need to learn as much as you can about the dog or cat breed that you have to understand their traits and temperament. That way, you can determine the best training approach that will work best for your pet.
Dog Obedience Training is a dog training blog that aims to provide you and other dog lovers with tips and other information that can help make your journey as a dog owner easier and more enjoyable. Check out our other posts today to learn more about training dogs!