I think it is very similar to human beings, except relying even more on the non-verbal. If you have doubts about interpretation vs "facts", then I can only gue

I think it is very similar to human beings, except relying even more on the non-verbal. If you have doubts about interpretation vs "facts", then I can only guess/assume that you have not had this experience. The best advice I can give for establishing a relationship is to think hard about what the animal wants most, and try to offer it in a way that it can understand is connected with you.