Why do you treat your dog like a person?

Question

I've asked a few questions about dogs over the last couple of days from kennels outside to choke training collars and it seems like people think I'm being cruel. I want to train my dog properly and have been doing that since I have the luxury of being home during the day. But, I treat the dog like a dog. When he is good, he gets treats and when he is bad, he gets punished. I don't baby talk to the dog. I don't put him in sweaters. I don't like him on the furniture and he doesn't go on our bed. My husband wanted the dog and I'm trying to make the best of it. Our dog does have a good home, but I treat him like a dog. Why do you treat your dog like a little person? I just don't understand that. I have a cat and would say I am more a cat person, but then I treat my cat like a cat. Help me understand your logic.

I do treat my animals with love, but love doesn't mean they can do whatever they want. There are still rules that must be obeyed.

freckles - that's what I was getting at. That's the answer I was looking for. Thanks.

I meant no offense by the word, "you". It's just that I've noticed some people that have dogs, have a different type of behavior with them, as if they can do no wrong. I'm not trying to insult anyone, if that's how I come across, I seriously would like to know why some people behave this way and others don't. Honestly.

Answer 1

I love reading the answers to a question like this!
The answer is: because they dont know any better.
Thier dog would actually be happier being treated like a dog!

Recently you see alot of schools teaching positive reinforcement only training.I like to call it "trend training", it doesnt actually work, but it is what people want to hear and it is what sells. That is why I love Cesar Milan, he still works with correction and everyone says WOW look at his results!..LOL


Dont get me wrong, positive reinforcement is valuable, but only balanced with correction.
What happens when the reward is not as sweet as the distraction?

People should be angry at this trendy training taking over because it means that there are some animals being surrendered to shelters becasue thier owners werent given the right guidance and they couldnt train thier dogs.

Now people go to Petsmart for thier training, guess what, they have to market positive reinforcement only because if someone took correction out of context and abused thier dog, petsmart could get sued!

If you love your dog, treat him like a dog!

Answer 2

Personally, I think you are asking the wrong question. I would ask, "Why do so many people treat other people like animals!" If someone wants to lavish attention and affection on a member of another species, as long as it is a symbiotic relationship, it is none of my business. If the animal is being abused or mistreated, then I would hope that the person in question would be reported, but otherwise, the relationship you have with however is living under your roof is your business. If your dog has a good home, then more power to you, and if your dog is comfortable with the living arrangements, then more power to the dog. It sounds like you have issues with your husband's relationship with the dog, and that's something you will have to work out with him. All I can say is, never put down someone who is offering love, warmth and humanity to any creature. There is so little of it in the world these days. It is precious to everyone.

Answer 3

Yes I treat my dog like my child. He fills my needs and helps slow down my biological clock. That being said, I agree with using choke and/or pinch collars on some dogs and certain circumstances. It's a great training tool, but must be used with care. This tool can be abused. Leaving dogs outside in a kennel if the weather permits is also useful for some people. Mainly large and medium dogs so they can get a little more exercise and fresh air instead of being couped up in a house. My dog can't be left outside in extreme (very hot and/or very cold) weather do to allergies. He also has arthritis. I give him medicine to deal with both the problems. I also have a jacket for him during the winter for when he goes outside. That being said, he is a Boston terrier(small), he doesn't have alot of hair due to his breed, and he is old. I take care of his needs as I see fit. He gets punished it he does something wrong and gets rewarded it he is a good. Sorry if people see you as cruel, I don't.

Answer 4

I have 3 dogs, a lab, a chesapeake, and a minature beagle.
The 2 big dogs are mostly outside dogs that go to work with my fiancee everyday, and the beagle is an inside dog that thinks she is a cat (i have a cat that is inside as well) and she has the run of the house.
I use a choke collar on my big dogs when I am working on training. it is not to be mean, it just is a way of keeping their attention (labs tend to be ADHD). They ARE NOT allowed on the furniture, in fact the male rarely gets to come inside b/c he has a habit of "marking his territory", usually on the sofa or a table ;-) but the Chesepeake (female) does get to come inside as long as I have had time to give her a bath in the last week or so, but she goes back out at bedtime.
but I have to admit that I spoil the beagle, she is allowed on furniture, and she sleeps with me, (although she did get a swat on the butt this morning for growling at/trying to bite the cat, she was still pouting when I left for work). She was potty pad trained when I got her, so I used to just lock her in the laundry room when I left, now she is pretty good so she gets the run of the house and I have a doggie door that leads to the screened back porch so she can play outside and goes out there to do her business (*_*).
I was raised with labs in the house, and they have never been allowed on the furniture, especially the sofa, my brothers have slept with their dogs in the past. I have never been one to share my bed with a dog, but Sassy is so small that it really isn't an inconveinence.

Answer 5

I really don't know.

I love animals of various sorts and treat them by what they are, but I also treat them like a friend and they seem to enjoy it. But I probably wouldn't treat them like humans, we do have a pug who talks! (and when I mean talk I mean like: snorts, yaps, and growls ...you get the point).

Also some people who DON'T have kids treat their pets like humans sometimes since that's all they probably got at times. But..it depnds on the owner, I've seen a lot of people who do off the wall stuff with their pets, like one time these two people had a husky in their car, they had an ice cream cone and they let the dog lick it!

You can probably guess where the cone went next...But again how pets are treated varies from owner to owner. Perosnally I think animals should be treated by what they are but with respect and kindness.

Answer 6

I don't treat my dogs like people.. And they r-e-s-p-e-c-t me for it in the morning.

I use pinch colars for my training once they reach the age of 1 yr.. not prior to that tho. They are more humane than choking a dog out... if they pull while walking they don't choke themselves taking a chance of hurting the larynx but instead give themselves a *pinch of the skin*.. they say *YIP* and stop pulling...

My dogs are not *bad* ... they are wild children for the first year and by the end of the year they have transformed into well behaved and obedient dogs..

I train in the sport of Schutzhund geared for competition... and bond with my dogs as we train together.. tracking/obedience-agility/protection.
Guess this is my logic

Some of us may take offense to your collective use of the word ***YOU***

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR DOG.
(I always have good luck with mine)

Answer 7

Our pets, a dog and cats, are as much a part of our family as our children are. When you have a dog for 15 years, and cats for 18 years, they are like your children. And our dog has a job to do, protect our home, and we expect her to do her job. We don't live in the best neighborhood and daytime burglaries are a problem, but we have never been robbed.

Answer 8

When you have your dog for a while, you will understand. Some people just dont have that kind of bond with their animal. I however have this bond I speak of. I have 2 dogs, both are like children to me. Believe it or not, we can communicate quite good. I know what my dogs want by what they do. They know what I want by what and how I say things. My dogs come on the furniture, they sleep in bed with me, they are truely like kids! I would say when I first got my 1st dog I didnt really think I would be this way towards it. But dogs have unconditional love for people, and its amazing on how much you really love your pet almost like a child. But thats just me:) But I know alot of people who are like this too! And yes, I have bought clothes for my dogs, and even dressed one of them up for Halloween:)

Answer 9

NEVER USE ANYTHING THAT WILL HARM YOUR DOG!! What you can do to train them is simpley be calm and nice. Use a bass-sounded voice..because if you use a high-pitched one they with not react and might get scared. When you teach them tricks like "sit" or "stay" reward them. If the dog did something bad just ask the dog "were you on our bed?" or something like that. I see the problem is that the dog feel slike it doesnt have enough space and freedom as he or she would like. You need to let your dog outside for about 10-20 minutes. This will give them time to exercise and get fresh air while using the bathroom. If you give your dog the same amount of freedom you have he or she probably will be better behaved and more calm and fun to play with. Don't treat dogs like prisoners (not letting them do anything). Basicly try to respect your dog and give he or she the amount of space and freedom they need (about the same amount as you). Try this exercise over and over and especially..give them enough food and water. SO just give your dog the space and freedom he or she needs and everything will be fine. Treat a dog the way you would want to be treated.

hope i helped

-ily

-rebecca

xoxox

Answer 10

I treat my animals the way I would like to be treated, with respect and gentleness. I'm not a freak about it though. I let them get dirty and do dog things. i wouldn't ever use a choke collar or one of those pokey ones though!! And I believe that dogs belong IN THE HOUSE, not outside all day.