Anyone with a pet can attest to the fact that their furry (or scaly) friend does have a personality of their own, even if it takes some time for it to become visible. Dogs that refuse to walk in the rain, cats that insist on only drinking flowing water, and our pets often have quirks, but sometimes it’s clear that their reasoning for it is actually quite solid.
Someone asked “Pet owners, what was that moment that made you think “wow, I have severely underestimated the intelligence of my pets”?” and people shared their cutest stories. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorite examples and if you have any of your own, be sure to leave a comment below.
#41
My childhood cat, Softie. We did the usual ‘cat gets the squirt bottle if she does something naughty’ training with her, and she was generally really well behaved.
Then we had a really hot patch one summer, multiple days in the low to mid 40s Celsius (110ish F), so all of us were sweltering. She started deliberately being naughty so that we’d spray her with the squirt bottle and cool her off 😂.
Then we had a really hot patch one summer, multiple days in the low to mid 40s Celsius (110ish F), so all of us were sweltering. She started deliberately being naughty so that we’d spray her with the squirt bottle and cool her off 😂.
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22points
#42
Watched my pissed off cat chase his brother down the stairs. The downstairs layout is an open square around a central bathroom. The chased went one way. The chaser stopped, thought a second, then went the other way to cut him off. He knew the layout and thought critically in that second to make a sound decision.
So don’t tell me that animals don’t have the capacity to think or think critically and solve problems. .
So don’t tell me that animals don’t have the capacity to think or think critically and solve problems. .
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22points
#43
I have dogs. Whenever a stranger comes by they make a weird howling sound so everyone can know there is a person in the garden gate. So one of them found out that she can use that particular sound just for alarming others and having their toys to herself even though there are noone around. Other dogs buy it. Every single time...
21points
#44
My cat hangs out with me in my room most of the day if I'm home, but will keep me awake if she's in my room at night, so I shut her out.
She's figured out that I'll kick her out one way or another when I'm going to bed, so as soon as she sees me brushing my teeth and arranging my blankets etc, she hides under the rocking chair in my room so I can't physically get to her. The only way she'll come out is if I shake her treat container and call "treaties!" And she'll only come out when I actually put treats on the floor for her, she won't come out just for the container being shaken.
Even if I've just fed her dinner, if she sees me getting ready for bed, she'll hide under the chair until I give her treats to bribe her out of my room.
She's figured out that I'll kick her out one way or another when I'm going to bed, so as soon as she sees me brushing my teeth and arranging my blankets etc, she hides under the rocking chair in my room so I can't physically get to her. The only way she'll come out is if I shake her treat container and call "treaties!" And she'll only come out when I actually put treats on the floor for her, she won't come out just for the container being shaken.
Even if I've just fed her dinner, if she sees me getting ready for bed, she'll hide under the chair until I give her treats to bribe her out of my room.
21points
#45
My dog has a knack for finding the “weakest link” when we have people over for dinner. He’ll plant himself right next to them and just stare. At this point he knows when my dad visits he’ll will cave and give him something, but even when it’s new people, he can figure out who is most likely to “drop” something.
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21points
#46
My friend came over with her dog. Our dogs were best friends. We left the house to go grab some food, and not long later, we got a phone call from a neighbor saying the dogs were out.
My friends dog hadn't been left at my house before without her person, so my dog opened a door for her. This was a three step process.... he pulled a wooden rod out of the door track, unlocked the slider, and slid the slider open. He had done this before at our old house when we had a yard. He could also unlock the dead bolt if you convinced him (if he knew you)
My dog was seemingly part feral when we got him ( didnt understand a water bowl or doors) and we taught him none of this. He was a good boy.
My friends dog hadn't been left at my house before without her person, so my dog opened a door for her. This was a three step process.... he pulled a wooden rod out of the door track, unlocked the slider, and slid the slider open. He had done this before at our old house when we had a yard. He could also unlock the dead bolt if you convinced him (if he knew you)
My dog was seemingly part feral when we got him ( didnt understand a water bowl or doors) and we taught him none of this. He was a good boy.
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19points