On a recent thread, we discussed the likelihood that all domesticated dogs are descended from wolves. And in a recent conversation, a co-worker told a story of a dog he had owned for two months but had to give to his parents, who have since owned it for five years.
I began to wonder if wolf-descendants would really understand the concept of being disowned by the pack and taking up with another. “Well,” thought I, “wolf packs have stragglers and hangers-on, don’t they? Aren’t there occasional battles for dominance, and exiles?”
So that’s part one. Do dogs understand what it means to be given away?
Then I asked myself if cats understood the concept as well. I’m not sure where domesticated cats came from, so I don’t know what large feline behavior would best describe their understanding.
What is the appropriate big-cat behavior toward changing tribes (prides, leaps, etc)?
I believe they adapt just like they do in the wild if the Alpha Dog is killed. My dog loved my father. He would follow him all over and sit by him and even sleep with him if allowed. Then my father died. The dog looked a little lost for about a week then adopted my sister. And then he would follow her around and sit next to her and sit by the door waiting for her. Then she moved out of the house and the dog adopted my mother as leader. And would follow her around. But if my sister visited he would quickly dump my mother, for my sister until she left.
I think it is still in their nature. My dog did seem a bit lost when each person left but he adjusted in about a week.
I have no real knowledge of this, but I can offer my personal experience with the issue. We had a beagle a while back. Occassionally if we were going away for a few days, we’d take her to a dog-sitter. She always yellped and cried (dog owners know I mean by that) about it.
She had been adopted from a farm. After having her for two years, my parents decided she was just too badly behaved (we just could not get her to adjust to “house living”). I’m just glad I was away at University when they took her back - I don’t like to think about how doggie must’ve felt
It may vary from breed to breed. We have Newfs, and I have heard stories about how hard they are to place with new people after they have bonded with an original family or owner. Rescued Newfies often don’t “take” to their new families.
I assume there are other breeds that bond very strongly as well.
In answer to the cats question: Cats are not pack animals in the same way as dogs are, but every cat we’ve owned has selected on of the big hairless monkeys in the house as his/her special friend. IMHO they are more attached to their territory than their people, who are, after all merely the hired help.
If you discipline a dog appropriately, he will come to respect you as the leader of the pack and show submission. Try to “discipline” at cat in the same way and he will simply decide he hates you. There are ways of training a cat to not do certain things, but it’s more subtle.
When you move to a new residence, taking your cat with you, it will take some time for the kitty to get accustomed to the new place. A dog, on the other hand, is happy wherever his master and commander is.
