The two cats i remember both got the upper hand over their respective dogs.
It was a slow and subtle progression.
I put an aluminum "Doggy Door" in the back room. The cat wouldn't go through it until he'd pushed it slightly ajar and peeked through , to be sure it was safe i guess.
So i replaced it with clear plexiglass. That made Cat happy, he'd sit behind it watching for birds in the yard. Cat soon learned to put his paw up just as Dog started in so he'd bump his nose and retreat. Cat loved the game and would keep dog out until i intervened..
Then i noticed Cat would position himself in a doorway between us and Dog and stare Dog down, daring him to approach. Dog made it known he wanted to join us but Cat delighted in tormenting him like a mean little kid.
Another Cat torment was to get up on a chair that Dog had to pass by and sink his claws into Dog's tail. Sometimes he'd jump onto Dog's back which terrified Dog. I guess he'd got his claws into Dog's nose often enough to discourage him from fighting back.
That cat could torment Dog into a temper tantrum ; he'd get right in Cat's face and bark for a whole minute but from a safe distance just out of claw's reach.Cats just don't care much about bipeds i guess. All they want from us is to be fed and stroked.
But they do have emotions. Once Cat was in my chair and wouldn't move, so i tilted it forward and dumped him on the floor. He got up, slowly and deliberately turned around and swatted my knee with a paw but no claws, a definite "Oh Yeah ? Take That!" gesture. Then he strutted away with body language that reeked indignation and condescension.
I'd wounded his pride and he made it clear. Cats are plenty smart. Just you have to really watch them to notice.
http://www.slate.com/articles/healt...and_cognition_are_cats_smarter_than_dogs.html