I want to start a good debate. What is the point of having a dog if they cannot be like our little children?

Question

Yes, I understand most people wont look at their German Shepards as itty bitty babies...but as I was watching the Dog Whisperer, I find he tries to make the owners look dumb for loving their dog in a child-like fashion. I think most mature adults know their dog is not a human baby, but I really dont see anything wrong with dressing a dog up, or picking him up and giving him kisses. All of which Cesar Millan frowns upon. Its almost like he wants you to treat your dog like a roommate. Whats the fun in that? I think SOME people do get dogs for help with an emotional void. Why not shower the dog with affection? Even if it IS in a doggy stroller? lol Just a thought for today.

-Mommy of a loveable 4 mo old Shih Tzu

I love the answers so far! So many different views. I for one am an advocate for training!! (my pup has class tonight in fact!) Though I have to admit, cause of some of the coddling I did when he was about 8 weeks, I am paying for now, cause he has severe separation anxiety! Still love my lil Caesar-poo anyway! lol

Answer 1

You have a good point about Milan- he is dead wrong on several issues, frowning on people who love their pups like a child is one of them.

Milan's whole premise to dog training starts with the dogs he knew as a kid in Mexico - dogs who hung out with people peripherally, hoping for a scrap or a pat - usually getting a kick. These were not members of the family - they were members of roving packs who just hung around people.

He makes fun of Americans for loving their pets, he just doesn't get it that we are not rach hand Mexicans, we live in nuclear families mostly, or alone, and certainly have every right to treat our pets as family members.

He also lumps all dogs, which is nuts - greyhounds are not chihuahuas or hunting hounds - the different breeds have been bred for 100s of years to instill specific traits, they certainly don't all act alike.

Milan is an entertainer - he has no certification as a dog trainer. People need to remember that.
Some of the things he advocates, like wrestling a dog to the ground to get him into his mythical peaceful state is downright dangerous and will get you bitten for sure. Use that kind of violence on an already frightened or aggressive dog and you just make the dog more aggressive - now or later - it cures nothing.

The guy is downright dangerous sometimes.

Answer 2

The point in having a dog is having a dog not a child. I believe Cesar is not against human affection toward a dog as long as the dog's needs as a dog are met first! Just like a child. A child is also not just for snuggling and dressing up . We meet the need of our children . Disciple,education. nutrition,hygiene.The difference is some people only love their dogs one sided and do not do the other thing a dog needs to be healthy..exercise..consistant training. Just as kids will not grow up healthy,neither will a dog ..only on lovin'. Those people may have other issues and in my opinion don't love well. If you realize the animal your dog is put the effort in to give him/her understanding and care. I have a Yorkie. I don't pick him up or dress him but I do snuggle with him and baby talk and love him to pieces. Sometimes it's a pain but I also play/train him and..gotta go... give him a walk.

Answer 3

I have 4 dogs: a lab-blue heeler mix, a Schiller hound, a min pin and a blue heeler. I think dogs are like children in some ways and just as a responsible parent teaches and disciplines the child, dog owners need to teach and discipline the dogs. AND, like responsible parents love the child and show the child affection, dog owners need to show the dogs love and affection.

Why does everything have to be one way or the other both of which are at extremes? Why can't things be in the middle...balanced?

My dogs can get on my nerves because they like to wrestle and play with each other while we are taking a break to watch some TV, but they are all good dogs most of the time. I cannot expect them to behave all the time when I don't, can I?

Answer 4

I agree to a point with what you are saying. I personally don't care for Cesar Millan and don't like his "techniques", and see nothing wrong with giving your dog love and affection and treating them as part of the family, BUT as for pushing dogs in a stroller and dressing them up in too-toos and dresses and using them as an accessory, I don't agree with. That can cause behavioral issues. A dog is a dog. They were all bred for a job or purpose, not to be a fashion accessory or replacement for a doll.

Answer 5

First of all, it's a dog not a baby. Dogs do not have the same feelings and emotions as a human being. People project these on the dog. To have a well trained dog pet owners need to establish themselves as the dominant one in the "pack." If you're babying your dog, it assumes (probably correctly) that it is the pack leader and that he's the one running the show, which is why owners can't get their dogs to do anything they want them to do. It is also probably why they have to call in someone like the Dog Whisperer to properly train their pets.

I have a cute tiny little dog myself. He's a chihuahua mix. I've yet to buy him any clothing and I don't carry him like a baby or kiss him on the mouth. I have fun walking him, playing catch with him or tug of war with one of his toys. He is NOT filling an emotional void. He is a pet. He is a member of the family and not my "baby." If you want to treat your dog like its a baby then that's fine but don't complain when the dog isn't trainable or well behaved. You will get dirty looks if you walk your dog in a stroller and that's probably because you're denying the animal the exercise it needs and because you are spending tons of money on a dog while there are children starving in this country.

Incidentally, we are currently putting our dog through a training program with a teacher that came highly recommended and he IS a certified dog trainer and uses the same methods as Cesar Millan. Our dog was spoiled rotten by the foster person who had him before and the change in him even after 3 weeks of training has been amazing.

Answer 6

Dogs are NOT children. They do not learn the same, feel the same or react the same. Treating a dog like a child is opening up a world of risk. It's ok to love your dog as if it were a child, spoil it but when it comes to expectations you cannot expect it to behave like a human. Most people are not able to separate the fantasy of a "child/dog" from the reality which is their dog is a dog. They may love it as a child but it should be trained/socialized and disciplined like a dog.

Answer 7

I think that people should love their dogs. Feel free to hug/kiss/dress up whatever... But you also need to teach your dog that he has to follow rules...your home isn't his toilet, he can't jump all over people when he meets them, etc. I agree that dogs are often used to fill an emotional void..and can be. The trick is finding the balance between a lovable pooch and a spoiled rotton canine. I agree with you about Cesar though-sometimes he does seem to be purposely making people look stupid-and that's not right either. You can treat your dog like a member of your family without him being a misbehaved slob. :-)

Answer 8

some people take it too far and spoil the dog which does create behavoiral problems.

Im one who snuggles my dog, dresses him and gives him kisses. He loves the affection, and craves it. There is a point tho where he is treated like a dog.

When you get people who drag their dogs everywhere in purses and strollers that is going to far. I do want a stroller for Fred, but only for going to crowded events, since he is a small dog and could easily be stepped on. Strollers may be good for elderly or disabled pets that may not be able to walk very far.

I know of people who put their dogs in high chairs and let them eat at the dinner table with them.. that is way too far.


Some dogs also just cannot be treated like "children" at all.. they need constant guidance to remind them who is the alpha.

Answer 9

I think many of us "spoil" our dogs, whether we want to admit it or not. Personally, I don't really care for Cesar's attitude toward dogs in general, and some of his methods I completely disagree with. I believe there is a happy medium between treating a dog like a zoo animal, and treating it like a little baby. My favorite breeds are the herding breeds, and there is nothing more fun than watching my dogs enjoy herding things around the yard. You can tell they enjoy what they are doing, and they are good at it! It is what they have been bred to do for generations. I also enjoy when my minpins hunt in the yard and bring me shrew and mice and birds. Yes, it is rather disgusting, but this is what this dog was bred to do, and the looks of pride on their faces when they strut around with a shrew are just funny!
I love my dogs very much, and because of that, I have changed my lifestyle-I cater to what my dogs like to do, not what I want my dogs to be. I train them, reward them, play with them, and let them be what they are-dogs. That doesn't mean I have to keep them at a severe distance.

Answer 10

Our Chihuahua is our baby. I got her at the shelter when she was 6 weeks and she is a special needs dogs. So I have plenty of reason to treat her special.
Animals relieve stress and make us feel better.
I don't agree with a lot of Mr. Dog Whisperers ideas.We once had a volunteer who thought he could train dogs. He yanked the leash of a dog (like Cesar teaches) and he yanked the wrong dog. Of course the dog freaked out.

My dog is trained. She does not bark, bite, or beg. She is a very well behaved girl that people even invite her over to their house when they invite me. She has wonderful manners that have been taught to her in a loving way!!
There is nothing wrong with loving your dog.There is some thing wrong with treating a dog like its just a thing to own!!!

Answer 11

I find nothing Cesar Millan says anymore useful than my dogs turd. I shower my dog with love and treat it like a kid, and what Cesar Millan says is irrelevant. I have always made my dog mind, but I have never shown that much dominance towards it, but i have never had a dog not mind me 100% or give me any problem what so ever, in 33 years. I see no connection in treating a dog nice with it thinking you are not dominate, maybe it is just the good breeds i have chosen, or something i natuarly do with the dog when they are young.