Why do people insist?

Question

Upon putting human qualities in their dogs, when the dogs actually do not care, and they are in fact harming them, instead of helping them?

I need to be more clear. Human qualities like dogs sleeping on furniture, on the bed, etc. Like dogs wearing clothes, like believing dogs think like people and have preferences like people. That sort of thing.

Well, I am glad that SOME people got it. You can tell the ones that OWN dogs rather then the other way around.
Lundieg, I own and work a police dog for the last 27 years. He still does NOT get on the furniture or thinks he is a human. Happy2luv, please look in the mirror. Jo, please study pack drive. I do not remember the rest of the answers of the top of my head, but, it is obvious that most people here do not understand pack instinct and how it affects a dog, nor do they care. How does a dog look up to you as a pack leader when he lays on your bed or furniture is beyond me. And the fact that some people would rather confuse a dog by giving it human-like qualities is something that I do not understand. And they call that confusion love. OK.

WOW, I am glad to see that my question elicited so many responses. For those that do not get it, PLEASE understand that dogs LIVE AND DIE by one rule, pack instinct. Their world is black and white, without any shades of grey, like ours. They do not have any human-like characteristics like some people want to give them. When you let your dog OWN you, HE WILL, and the results WILL NOT be fun. That is why, as someone said, dogs end up in shelters and as problem dogs. They need to know that they are dogs in a pack with a capable leader. Dogs do not follow lovable leaders, they follow the ones that they respect. Study wolf behavior and see how an Alpha wolf treats his pack members. He does not care if he is loved, but he cares if he is not respected and will react violently to any disrespect. Our dogs also need to have a clear picture of where they stand, not being confused with our actions simply because WE want to satisfy our selves.

Answer 1

Well according to the majority of fur baby owners I am the one harming my dogs because I train them and make them listen to me. I have been told that I should let them be dogs. (Someone actually told me that there are sports and hobbies and if I want to do something get involved in a hobby and leave the dogs alone)There is no confusion in my house as to who is the boss but you are right they are harming them. As a matter of fact, I believe it is a big reason there are so many dogs in need of homes. People treat the dogs like human children and they think they are being good to their dog but the dog views this treatment as weakness. If the human is not willing to take the role of leader a dog is more then happy to step up and take the job. We all know what happens next. It is a shame that things have changed so much and people are so unwilling to learn.

Answer 2

I've always agreed with not anthropomorphizing animals --
all the while rewarding the dog next door for being a sweet, little wiggle butt!
The reality is, Holly-dog looks forward to the treats, the baby talk, and the petting. I can put my entire arm into her domain but would NEVER actually enter her yard -- I know my place is outside the fence.

People that don't work their dogs (ranchers, herders, and the like) tend to treat their animals as children. Some dogs are conflicted with that and others soak up the attention. Some know their place as betas and others will takeover as alphas.

To actually answer your question: yes, it's those babied alphas that people insist are "hairy people" that are worrisome.

I just read Cesar Millan's book. For the most part I agree with his methods. There is one point I could argue: some dogs do learn that being spoiled does not necessarily elevate them to alpha status.

I just read your Additions.
You need to reform your ideas on what anthropomorphizm is and study up on the characteristics of how dogs relate to each other and to humans.

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Answer 3

I've thought about it often. Years ago no one did this. A dog was just a dog! They were trained for a purposs and used until they no longer could perform that duty. People didnt have the money they have now and the dog had to "Earn it's keep". Most people didnt get rid of the dog, they actually retired them and allowed them to live out their last days laying around. There werent too many shelters to dump them in then. But, I am sure I will get a million thumbs down but, this is my opinion for which I am intitled. This started when both parents started working. Kids were made to fit into their parents schedules . In those areas lacking parental availability many gave their kids a dog. Dogs provided a solution to two problems.....Something to occupy the child and a means of protection. Well, the kids started to treat the dogs more like dolls or buddies. The dog is pampered and doesnt have the intellectual ability to figure out more than If I'm nasty enough this kid gives me what I want. The kid is just desperate for attention and someone to play with that loves them no matter what and is always available. This isnt original by any means. Everyday parents are looking for something to occupy their kids so they dont have to. TV, Videos, Mp3 players and of course for that warm and fuzzy feelings DOGS!!! There are fewer adults raising and training dogs today. Just look at the responders to most of these questions.......My guess is most are between 8 and 16 years old?


See, most of the sincere responders are proving my point. They need love, affection and attention. The unconditional love a dog provides.........

Answer 4

In todays day and age the family unit isnt what it used to be, and dogs have taken the place of that..People long for love and affection, and want to have someone or something to give that to..There is no harm in this, its actually a beautiful thing..Yes its weird that some of us (yes I am guilty of this as well) act as if our dogs have human qualities, but most also work with their dogs on the skills they need to be a healthy happy dog...I snuggle, kiss, let my dogs sleep in my bed, as well as talk to them...But they know my hubby and I are the "alpha" and respect and listen to us...Most responsible owners are the same...I dont see harm being done, just humans and dogs getting the love and affection they deserve.

Answer 5

What do you mean by human qualities? Walking on two legs? Reading and writing? Opposable thumbs? I've yet to see a dog with any of these.

If you are talking about love, a desire to be loved and hugged, sleeping on the "owner's" pillow, an owner putting a shirt on the dog who has just been groomed and may get chilly or an owner that knows that the dog understands a LOT more than we normally give dogs credit for then please don't get a dog.

If I am way off base, could you please explain?

Okay--you have explained, and I am more right on target than ever! I am DEF the leader of my pack. I am a kind, loving leader, but I am the boss without a doubt. Both me and my little buddy know that. AND he is NOT afraid of me. I have no problem, letting him sleep on the bed and yet still being the boss. That requires a bit more from me than "sit" "stay," though. Being the boss isn't all about muscle and yelling and subordination. And yes--he is VERY pack-instinct driven! That's WHY he wants to sleep on my pillow!

Answer 6

I actually look at the pack mentality of everything i do with my dog. Sitting or sleeping on household furniture-valued member of pack due to close proximity to pack leader(me). I have a coat and some cute clothing for my dobe- she has almost no fur due to a medical condition and it helps with the notion she is a 'dangerous dog' (what dog looks dangerous in a tartan jacket). She has been trained to do a number of unnatural behavioural tricks- constant training reinforces my role as pack leader. Yes, some people do stupid things to their dogs in order to make them 'cute' but do not assume that everyone dressing their dog up in a faux fur coat is an idiot who will have problems with their spoilt dog later. Human qualities coincide with natural dog behaviour most often than not with what is acceptable as a healthy functioning pack. Its just who is 'alpha dog' that varies. In my house its me, no exceptions. Getting a dog to do an unnatural thing with no arguments is a symptom of an alpha member and that is a good thing when it comes to behavioural issues. The only problem is that some people take it to extremes and just look like idiots to the rest of the world but that doesnt mean their dog will die at an early age or end up an aggressive dog that needs to be put down. My dog also most definately has prefences, she would rather sleep on the couch than her bed, open the door and she is straight on the couch, wont sleep on my bed even if i invite her.She also prefers walks in the morning to walks in the afternoon, wont even look at me if i get her leash out after 2pm. There are definately people she likes more than others, doesnt like people taller than me. There is even foods she wont eat, cheap brands of dog food get her nose out of joint and she wont eat them. Dogs dont have human qualities but they do have some that are similar, why bother about the small differences. If it makes someone happy to think their dog feels love, why correct them?

Answer 7

Well I don't beleive you know how intelligent dogs are. My dog communicates with me, sure he can't speak english, but he will tell me when he needs to go outside, when he is hungry, when he wants to play, when he wants to go to sleep, where he wants to go to sleep, if he doesn't want that kind of food, if he doesn't want to play with that certain toy, if we are annoying him, if he wants to go out on the porch, if its too warm in the house. Sometimes he will sit on the couch with me simply because he doesn't want to be alone, he wants me to sit there with him. He does watch TV, sometimes I'll wake up with him following cartoons moving around on the screen with his nose(his father can turn the TV to animal planet, no matter what the channel is on.) He'll wake me up if im sleeping through my alarm, He'll lay his head on my lap if I'm sick or upset about something. Roscoe P Coltrane, like many dogs, do sometimes act like humans. He is my besy bud. And sure you can say I'm misinterpreting his behaviors but, thats pretty much impossible as it took us a little while to beable to communicate with one another effectively. He doesn't wear clothes though, My girlfriend wants him to but I don't think a Husky/german shepherd mix needs a sweater. Oh yea, I also taught him how to mosh, whenever I put some Slayer, Aftermath or Pantera in the CD player he'll start pushing me aroudn and bumping into me and I'll push back. He wont do it with anyone else though.

But he knows his place, he knows I'm in charge and he will do what I say, even if he expresses that he doesn't want to do it. Or If he did something he wasn't supposed to he will follow the punishment rules, (sit in the corner until summoned). He doesn't have any behaviorial problems, and if he were to get lost he would pass all the temperment tests with flying colors. And he is a really good looking dog so If that were to happen for whatever reason he would find a good home.

But some people don't beleive me when I tell them I can communicate with my dog until they start visiting my apartment more often and see it for themselves, then they laugh and appreciate Roscoe more for his intelligence and personality.

You own and work a police dog for 27 years? Wow thats gotta be some kind of record for life of a dog. I own my dog, but he just communicates with me and I treat him with respect rather than just giving him commands all the time. But hey, its OK not to understand that people have different ways of raising their pets. And its OK not to understand that many pets live happy successful lives under this method. Some people just can't grasp certain concepts very easly. Its alright you just can't understand everything. At least you try by posting this on the internet though. You get an 'A' for effort.

Answer 8

I am not sure what you really trying to say, but if it is about treating the dog or cat like one of the family, why not. animals are in most ways a companion.

sleeping on furniture, on the bed that's fine wearing stuff no they have fur, and think like people if they did they would talk so I don't think that, but I see nothing wrong with animal laying around the house, as long as they get exercises.

Answer 9

Human qualities? Like what? Like love? Or Jealousy? How does this harm a dog?


OK..how is my dog on my sofa hurting the dog? How is a sweater on a breed that does not fair well in very cold temps harm the dog?

Dogs do have preferences. I have 1 that will not, under any circumstances lie on the ground. I also have one that prefers to lie in a crate than outside the crate.

Answer 10

Well in this day and age some things have changed since the 60's!!!! We have or most of us have anyway learned to treat our animals better . We dont leave them outside much any more . also clothes are just adornment ,some dogs like them some dont . Dogs do have feelings you know or else they would not yelp when we accidently step on them .Harming them how dont really see your point . But then again maybe I am not supposed to dont know . good luck to you anyway.