Cats, dogs, horses, cattle and almost any non-human creature, you have to learn enough of their perspective to not directly oppose them, or know what you're doing if you do. Kindly dogs can get snappish if they are threatened or in pain. You have to learn your creature, as a species and as an individual. An active respect of companion animals is required. Movingly, to me, when this respect is extended, it will be returned in many ways. Some people cultivate this to a high degree. A vet tech with tattoos and piercings could clip the claws of my cat (usually requiring two or three people) just seated in the animal hospital waiting area. She (the vet tech) was a horse person and headed to vet school. Apparently she had body language, body chemistry, and a whole vocabulary of moves that spoke directly to non-human creatures. I told her that it was a gift, and she said, "I know." Boy, did she. My awe hasn't worn off, though my fine old cat is long gone.