Pets Reactions to T

[shadowcat]

I help people with behavior issues in their cats sometimes.

I've heard that cats prefer females. I think though it has more to do with attitude in approach. A LOT of guys approach a cat and expect that a cat will drop everything like a dog does and immediately come to them. They tend to come to them and pick them up or otherwise make them respond to them, where women are more likely to let the cat do its own thing. If guys approach a cat in a way where the cat makes the decisions about handling and so on, cats will like guys just fine. Every seen "My Cat from Hell" on Animal Planet. The guy is the most masculine stereotyped guy imaginable. He obviously has a way with cats.
http://jacksongalaxy.com/my-cat-from-hell/

BTW, there are women who hate cats and tend to handle cats the way some guys do. They get about the same response.

BTW, some guys change emotionally on T, that can be a reason actually. But certainly a shy cat, might react to changes in smell. I havent' noticed any changes in mine at all. But different cats have different, increased sensitivity.



--Jay

My cat's pretty skittish, makes me wonder if I'll have to reestablish my relationship with him once I go on T.  He usually does fine with people of both genders at least.  But maybe that's cause I insist they let him finishing sniffing their hand before petting him.

Cat-Whispering sounds fun not sure how good at it I'd be though, as I've only had three cats so far.

[randomroads]

I don't know about cats, but with dogs, any male is seen as a competitor for the alpha's spot, so unless the dog already sees a human as its alpha, it can react quite badly. And since so many people let their dogs walk all over them....

There is zero scientific evidence that dogs believe humans are just a funny looking dog. There is no scientific evidence that dogs see male humans as competition. Also 'alpha theory' in canines (wolves and domestic dogs) is invalid science that was debunked over a decade ago. The word 'alpha' is used by ignorant 'trainers' who have failed to educate themselves in modern training methods and behavioral theory. There IS scientific evidence that using 'alpha theory' training methods damages the brain. Scientists have known that physical abuse of children and animals creates different brain pathways for a very long time.

[Soren]

There is zero scientific evidence that dogs believe humans are just a funny looking dog. There is no scientific evidence that dogs see male humans as competition. Also 'alpha theory' in canines (wolves and domestic dogs) is invalid science that was debunked over a decade ago. The word 'alpha' is used by ignorant 'trainers' who have failed to educate themselves in modern training methods and behavioral theory. There IS scientific evidence that using 'alpha theory' training methods damages the brain. Scientists have known that physical abuse of children and animals creates different brain pathways for a very long time.

How funny, since the dogs I know all started challenging me after my scent changed. But I suppose that wasn't a scientific experiment, just real life.

[spacerace]

 

There is zero scientific evidence that dogs believe humans are just a funny looking dog. There is no scientific evidence that dogs see male humans as competition. Also 'alpha theory' in canines (wolves and domestic dogs) is invalid science that was debunked over a decade ago. The word 'alpha' is used by ignorant 'trainers' who have failed to educate themselves in modern training methods and behavioral theory. There IS scientific evidence that using 'alpha theory' training methods damages the brain. Scientists have known that physical abuse of children and animals creates different brain pathways for a very long time.

How funny, since the dogs I know all started challenging me after my scent changed. But I suppose that wasn't a scientific experiment, just real life.

Animals use smell to for just about everything. If it is differently suddenly on a person they spend time with, of course some of them will react. They are social animals, and when something is changed in a way they really notice(smell), they may be wary or cautious or even aggressive.

So, the anecdotal evidence of dogs reacting after hormone changes can be true at the same time as any evidence that shows alpha theory is incorrect. Both of you can be right.

[aleon515]

How funny, since the dogs I know all started challenging me after my scent changed. But I suppose that wasn't a scientific experiment, just real life.

I agree re: the alpha theory, but people sometimes interpret behavior as challenging when it is usually something else entirely. OTOH, you may be quite correct re: a change of behavior. I haven't seen it, but then I don't have particularly flighty and frightened critters.

--Jay

[Aido]

There is zero scientific evidence that dogs believe humans are just a funny looking dog. There is no scientific evidence that dogs see male humans as competition. Also 'alpha theory' in canines (wolves and domestic dogs) is invalid science that was debunked over a decade ago. The word 'alpha' is used by ignorant 'trainers' who have failed to educate themselves in modern training methods and behavioral theory. There IS scientific evidence that using 'alpha theory' training methods damages the brain. Scientists have known that physical abuse of children and animals creates different brain pathways for a very long time.

This, this a thousand times, this!!!!

Sorry, but I studied dog behaviour and the 'alpha/dominance theory' is the biggest thorn in my side! I haven't noticed any difference in my dogs yet, despite them being of a breed renowned as being 'dominant'