Anthropomorphizing Your Dog


This morning, as I sat down to drink a cup of coffee, I read an article by K9 Magazine on whether or not it is wrong or even dangerous to treat your dog as a human. Honestly, it is the most well-round, thoughtful article I have read on the subject that brings to attention both needs of the symbiotic relationship between canines and humans. Let's face it, humans are humans and dogs are dogs. Humans are not dogs and dogs are not humans. BUT, we live together and have formed a close relationship for thousands of years. As the article states, "We share a common evolutionary history, our brains are remarkably similar, the areas of the brain controlling basic emotions such as anger, fear, joy, surprise, depression are exactly the same as are the neurotransmitters.
A lot of what we know about brain behavior relationships in humans is based on animal research. The limbic system which controls primary emotional drives is exactly the same in all mammals." Yes, dogs do feel emotions: pain, sadness, jealousy, happiness.  But, it is a fallacy for humans to think that the way a dog feels these emotions is exactly the same as we feel them, and that they go through the same thought process as a human. It is impossible to know EXACTLY what goes on in another organism's brain.

Often, I see humans trying to evaluate a dog's behavior through human eyes. We assume that a dog has the same ethical values as humans. That is where the mistakes start. Take for instance, a dog's "guilty" look. Let's say, you return home from work and you find your favorite slippers ripped to shreds. Your dog is cowering in the corner looking guilty. Our immediate reaction is to think the dog "knows" what it has done wrong. Let's think outside the box-- MAYBE your dog is cowering in the corner because it senses (through smell) your frustrated emotions, but it doesn't know why. Then you take the slipper that was chewed hours ago, and start disciplining the dog. Does the dog associate the chewing with why you are yelling? Probably not. All the dog knows is that you are carrying around an object that is really good for chewing and barking really angrily at them and they are scared. The best way to live a harmonious life with your dog is to start seeing them as... yes, dogs. Magnificent, wonderful dogs the way nature made them. Dogs do not see humans as other dogs. They see us as a different species from them, but they still live with us. It's a symbiotic relationship. I'm not saying it's not OK to throw your dog a birthday party or buy your dog Christmas presents. That's fun for you and the dog (maybe...depending upon the individual dog). But, you must realize that a dog does not know that it is Christmas or a birthday. It just knows it's getting some cool toys and treats that particular day. Carpe Diem! It is ok to share joy with your canine companion. BUT, we must be mindful in knowing that our reality may not match up with theirs.

The best way to live harmoniously and have a dog is to remain calm and train, train, train. Dog react to the emotions they sense on you and act accordingly, though they may not know why you are feeling the way you feel. To have a well rounded, stable dog, please remember to first and foremost provide your dog with adequate physical AND mental exercise. Next comes CALM training (no emotional response attached) in short 15-minute increments, and finally love and affection. You need to be consistent with these three things: exercise, training and love. Finally, you should always provide proper nutrition. 😋

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