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Back to To the Point

To the Point

Can Cats Be Trained?

Here's one of the world's great mysteries: why do cats scratch on the back door to get you to open it, and then when you do, they just stand in the doorway and do nothing? What are they thinking? What is going on there? Scientists say, we might never know, because cats are the most uncooperative research subjects ever.

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KCRW placeholderBy Barbara Bogaev • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

Here's one of the world's great mysteries: why do cats scratch on the back door to get you to open it, and then when you do, they just stand in the doorway and do nothing? What are they thinking? What is going on there? Scientists say, we might never know, because cats are the most uncooperative research subjects ever.

David Grimm, Deputy News Editor at Science, is the author of the new book

Citizen Canine: Our Evolving Relationship with Cats and Dogs

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  • KCRW placeholder

    Barbara Bogaev

    radio journalist

  • KCRW placeholder

    Mike Kessler

    freelance journalist

  • KCRW placeholder

    Katie Cooper

    Producer, 'One year Later'

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Evan George

    Director of Content, News

  • KCRW placeholder

    David Grimm

    Science

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