03-25-2015, 08:28 PM
(03-25-2015, 08:19 PM)isis Wrote: You don't think Loki's breaking out of captivity has anything to do with wanting to break out of captivity?
I wasn't insinuating that Loki wants out so he can run away forever & find a new pack - you know that, right? I think he just wants to be free to come & go as he pleases - which I think is understandable.
Ah, that's exactly what I thought you meant. A tiger breaking out of a zoo would likely be to leave forever; whereas, dogs often get out and come right back, then get out again and come back again. Yeah, they want to be free to come and go as they please, sure. Definitely understandable. We are in agreement.
(03-25-2015, 08:19 PM)isis Wrote: You agree with Thomas that Loki's breaking out is "naughty" behavior rather than natural/something-to-be-expected behavior?
I thought he meant 'naughty' in a playful way. I agree that it's natural behavior. Unfortunately, the world isn't safe enough for us to let our dogs run free as they wish, just as we can't let our children run out into a busy street.
(03-25-2015, 08:19 PM)isis Wrote: You must be a dog whisperer if you're able to say matter-of-factly that dogs break out just bc they're "curious, bored, or mischievous." Did your dogs tell you that?
Not too long ago I brought a cat into my place to live with me that was a stray. I had planned to just let her be an indoors cat & maybe leash-train her, bc I live in apt & not on the 1st floor...but she was (obviously) missing the outdoors so much. I couldn't stand it. I found a friend willing to take her, that lives in a nice neighborhood, & now my sweet Maui gets to come & go as she pleases & she chooses to stay outside all day but occasionally comes in for a snack or water. She roams the neighborhood. All of the neighbors know her. At nightfall she meows to be let inside.
When she lived with me was she trying to break out every time the door was opened bc she was just curious, bored, or just being mischievous? I don't think so. I think she just didn't like the captivity...& of course gravely missed the outdoors...but I'm sure that if anyone tried to keep her in a fenced in area *outside* that she would attempt to break out at all cost even if the fence was 20 feet high & the space was 10 acres.
Cats & dogs might be as intelligent as toddlers but I think they know when they're being held captive in a certain space & I don't think most care for it too much - no matter how much they love their owners.
Have you ever had a dog, or just cats? Cats and dogs have drastically different personalities. I agree with you about cats. I much prefer to let cats go outside and do their little cat things, like climbing trees. I have always fiercely preferred allowing cats to come and go as they please.
Unfortunately, when neighbors let their rottweilers and pit bulls run loose, letting cats out isn't an option.