Inside PBS Blog

After watching Nature's "Why We Love Cats and Dogs" episode, many of us turned to our four-legged furballs and gave them a hug. I know I did. In that episode, animal behavior expert Sarah Wilson helped explain some of the bonds humans and dogs have. And here on Engage, Wilson took your questions about cats, dogs, and future careers.

Read Wilson's answers below and let us know what you think. And if you didn't catch Nature this past Sunday, you can still watch the "Why We Love Cats and Dogs" episode online.

1. I'm a cat magnet. Always have been. Never met one I could say "no" to. Why do so many cats choose to befriend me and frequently learn to do doggie things like fetch for me? Mari 

Hi Mari -

I don't have a concrete answer for you and I don't think anyone does - but I have some thoughts. Happen to be reading the just released, "Made for Each Other: The Biology of the Human-Animal Bond" by Meg Daley Olmert and she talks about how mirror neurons, that Marc Bekoff mentions in the program, may have served us well when we were low on technology and hugely outnumbered by larger animals. If this is true, then people who had mirror neurons that reacted to animals might have been of particular value, perhaps making them a better judge of the animals we hunted, tended and tried to avoid.

I wonder if those who had such skills were at an evolutionary advantage. Seems possible, but pure conjecture on my part. What I do know is that some people are born who have "a way with animals," a natural connection to and affinity for another species. Your species seems to be cats. Being born with it, it probably doesn't feel like anything special, but I suspect it is. 

My professional opinion? Develop it! It will entertain, educate and fascinate you for a lifetime. Cats have so much to share, when asked politely.

2. How does one go about becoming an Animal Behavior Expert? Bruce 

Hi Bruce -

There are many paths up this mountain.  Some people go the formal academic route; other people a hands on, in the field approach. Both have their benefits and limitations.

The best thing I did was find talented, generous mentors. They will help you lay out the best path for your area of interest. My primary mentor has been master trainer Brian Kilcommons, whom I met in the mid 1980s (and married in the mid 1990s but that is another story). I stopped getting bitten a month after that meeting, when I started to learn how to be gain an animal's active participation, up my clarity and, frankly, stop annoying the dogs.

For the last 20 + years, I have handled dogs every day, from private clients to group classes to large group management.. So, one path is: find a mentor, read everything you can, go to various seminars, participate in classes in your area, but, at all times: Look at the animals. Get your hands on dogs. Lots of dogs. Learn from them. You will embark on a lifetime of learning. You'll never  be done, you never "know it all" (and run from anyone who says they do). 

It is a wonderful life. Through it I have met people I would never had otherwise come in contact with, from Harrison Ford to Candace Bergen, Mike Nichols to the late, John F, Kennedy Jr. My eighth book , Dogology, was published this fall, and last month I taught other pros on a cruise to Jamaica. Who knew?

Here are some relevant organizations:
International Association of Canine Professionals
Association of Pet Dog Trainers
International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
International Association of Companion Animal Counselors

3. My dog is now 6 years old. She was great with other dogs, but has grown to be more fearful of them. Many trainers have written her off because of her age, saying this can't be reversed. I would love to have my playful puppy back. I hate that we can't go on walks or hang out with others who have dogs because I'm afraid of how Sadie will behave. Is it too late for her? If not, what can I start doing now to reverse this behavior. Thanks so much! Melissa

Hi Melissa -

What you describe can be a pretty classic sign that something medical is amiss. Dogs who started out "great with other dogs" and then grow more concerned may have a pain issue -- often an orthopedic --  that they are protecting. Similar to when you or I might have an injured knee. Even if we're normally playful people, we won't want anyone bounding up to us at that time. We'll tell them in no uncertain terms to slow down or stop.

If this is happening with Sadie, then I would expect the following:

• She is most reactive toward exuberant, happy dogs - the bouncier they are, the more she growls, snaps or lunges.
• She doesn't actually hurt the other dogs. They run up, she reacts, they back off, she stops.
• She will really react to being bumped or mounted.
• She's better with calmer dogs who leave her alone.

If it is pain-related, ask your veterinarian to check her over. If nothing is obvious, I might ask if a short course of pain medication could be tried. If her behavior improves, then we have a big clue to base follow-up testing on.

Another possibility is that a low thyroid issue can cause behavior changes over time. Your veterinarian is the best person to discuss this with. And if it is low thyroid, that is easily and inexpensively treated.

Or, she could have developed a "best defense is a strong offense" approach if she was at a daycare or dog park dog where rough play was allowed. The key here would be to know if she is just trying to back the dog off or actually picking a fight. How can you know the difference? When a dog just trying to back another dog off it is brief, it stops the moment the other dog leaves, there is very little to no blood is involved and the other dog goes away- they don't generally become aggressive in response. Often these sorts of displays are noisy and surprising but little else.

Or she may be reacting normally. Adult dogs, especially adult females, can become intolerant of rude youngsters and take it upon themselves to teach them some manners. And some dogs just don't want to play as they mature. Anymore than you play Hop Scotch now. She may have just grown up, and if she is happy as she is, then all is actually well - even if a little sad for you.

Lastly, we could have a "cultural confusion". Breeds that commonly misunderstand each
other are herding dogs and sporting breeds. If your dog is a herding dog or mix, she may be well within normal behavior for her genetics.

Since I don't know exactly what is going on, I can't discount any of this as a possibility.

But give up? We're hardly at that point, first we have to figure out what is going on. If you want to send me a video clip of what is happening, I may be able to be more helpful. Post the link over at My Smart Puppy message boards and I'll take a look.

4. There was a period in my dogs life when he was very tuned into me. Caleb would start running to the door waging his tail, and my family would say "Tom is on his way home". Within 3 minutes or so, I would drive in. I worked on a farm, so the time of my return would vary. My truck was no louder than any others out there, and he would react when I was at least two miles away. Is this common? Was my dog psychic, or did he just have real good hearing? Tom 

Hi Tom -

Good question that science is still trying to figure out. One of our dogs has done that with me. A few times, PJ started hanging out by the backdoor (not her normal spot) wagging her tail and looking expectantly toward the driveway about ten minutes before I arrive.

How do they know? Got me. Personally, I like the idea that they sense things we do not. How they sense it I expect is explainable, just hasn't been discovered yet. And, since we tend to measure the entire world by our species' limited sensory system, when something falls outside it, we tend to think of it as "magical". I doubt it. I hope that in my lifetime someone figures this one out. I'd love to know what is really going on. Until then, Good dog Caleb!

5. My dog Duncan is a 2 yr. old Golden-Aussie mix. He's very sweet and outgoing, and just the most loving dog you can imagine. I grew up with Goldens and he fits the personality to the letter. One behaviour though, is interesting and something I've not observed in any dog before - he nibbles gently with his front teeth vs. licking to give me kisses. He will lick other peoples' faces, but rarely licks me, preferring to nibble the top or sides of my head. Its clearly affection, but what on earth does this stem from? (We are what you would define as Soul mates!) Maggie 

Hi Maggie -

Those are what I have always called "grooming nibbles". You'll see dogs tend to their toilette with these rapid incisor nibbles, sometimes in the pursuit of fleas (not that you have any!). I've known a few dogs who did this when happy. Can be a bit painful but has absolutely no ill intent. Just an idiosyncrasy of Duncan's to be chuckled over. If it ever bothers you, I'd suggest having him lie down or go to his bed when he started (in other words, do something that prevents the behavior and removes him from your beloved presence). That can be effective without any emotional negative being applied because, after all, he's just showing affection to his Soul Mate.

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