Cat people - dog people
There are dog people and there are cat people, or so the stereotyping goes.
Cat people (like cats) are a little more mysterious, self-centered and independent, sometimes bordering on aloof; they are capable of entertaining themselves for hours on end, more tricky, more circuitous, more manipulative.
Dog people (like dogs) are more prone to dominance and co-dependence, crave constant attention and are more open, outgoing, social and likely to drool.
But a new study from Ball State University says that those stereotypes -- when it comes to the animals and the people -- are, well, stereotypes. And it suggests people should choose their companion animals not on the basis of species, but on how their individual (human and pet) personalities match up.
A study of dog and cat guardians found that it is the fit between owner needs and pet personality, rather than pet type, that best predicts companion animal attachment, said Lucinda Woodward, a professor of psychological sciences and personality researcher.
A good fit, the study points out, means higher success rates in animal adoptions. "We've long had this perception that cats think of themselves as being the center of the world, but dogs are happy to be around their masters, sharing in all sorts of social activities," Woodward said.
"Many people perceive themselves as being either 'cat people' or 'dog people.' These people often think they relate to their pets because they share similar personalities."
Surveys and interviews of 266 college-age pet guardians found the majority of cat and dog owners see themselves as having personalities similar to the stereotypical one of their pets. "Yet, not all dogs and cats have traditionally perceived personalities," Woodward noted. "There are friendly cats that want to be around their guardians all the time and dogs that don't crave constant attention."
"The dynamics of the human-animal relationship are quite complex," she said. "Our study leads me to believe that 'cat people' should seek independent pets that are also low on submissiveness while 'dog people' should seek pets high on friendliness and low on dominance."
Woodward said the next step is to develop a behaviorally based checklist that will enable shelter workers to assess the personality types of different dogs on the dimensions of dominance and friendliness in order to optimize the partnering of humans and their pets.
In other words – or so it seems to me – a system of determining compatibility kind of like those used by Internet matchmaking services: If you like long walks on the beach at sunset, choose a pet that likes long walks on the beach at sunset.
Woodward is seeking participants to help in the development of the Pet Attribute Work Sheet (PAWS) for dogs, a checklist that can be used to classify dogs on the key personality traits. Dog owners interested in participating in the development of this measure may complete a survey at www.Rate-Your-Dogs-Personality.com, and enter to win one of three $25 gift certificates for PetSmart.
For the full story on the study, click here.
Comments
I took the survey. Great fun! Not sure whether it said more about my dog than it did about ME! Also, I have 4 dogs, each with a distinct personality, and although I submitted the survey for just 1 dog, I am sure that I would answer the questions differently for each different dog. I think what I learned here is that each of my dogs and their personalities contribute to various needs and wants in my life and lifestyle; each demands different things from me and how I interact with them both individually and as a member of the "pack."
Posted by: EighteenPaws | May 11, 2008 12:58 PM
I took it, too, and I also had great fun with it. For me, though, it raised a question: What is it with the game of "My Paw On You?" They described it in two questions: (1) Does your dog often put a paw on you when you're sitting down? and (2) Does your dog dislike it when you cover his paw with your hand?
I have to answer "yes" to both questions, and I've never had another dog that did this. Since they had the question in a group of what I'd call "dominant behaviors," now I have to wonder if it's some kind of oddball dog dominance ritual. With us it's like a game. Dog puts paw on you. You put hand over dog's paw. Dog moves his paw out and puts it over your hand. The Beagle would play this by the hour if you indulged him. Since we don't have any real aggressive behaviors and only the mildest of dominant behaviors, now I have to wonder. Oh, and he also "kneads" his close human friends the way an affectionate cat will. He has to know you pretty well before he does that.
So who else out there plays "My Paw On You?"
Posted by: Anne | May 11, 2008 7:03 PM
So true, my fiancee is a cat person and I am a dog person. Maybe we will learn to co-exist anyway.. Great blog!
Posted by: Russ | May 11, 2008 8:56 PM
Bimini also loves the "paw" game.
We have a ritual every night before we go to sleep. He gives me his paw and I run my nails up and down his arms and massage his paws. His eyes close slowly and he will even drift off to sleep while sitting up. If I don't feel like massaging, I will put my hand on top of his paw. He immediately puts his paw back on top of my hand. This continues until I get tired and stop.
I always thought he did it because he wanted his massage, but he does it other times too. Virtually every time he puts his paw on me, we play the game.
He also won't "give paw" if you ask and hold your hand out, but if you hold your hand up high, he will put his paw on your hand-like a high five.
I truly don't believe it is a dominance issue. Like all dogs, he knows how far he can push me, but rarely tries. He knows the rules and abides by them. He comes when called, listens immediately if corrected, and truly is the easiest dog I have ever raised.
The only problem I ever have is that when he is sleepy he gets very needy and wants to be held and cuddled. He is the most affectionate dog I have ever known. He knows he is not allowed on the sofa, but will still try to (half on the sofa, half off) if he's ready for bed and I'm not.
Posted by: Carey | May 12, 2008 7:57 AM