Dogs Can Be People, But They Are Still Dogs!
Okay everyone: bear with me, as I am about to go into a brief bragging mode:
I have a female Rottweiler mutt named Moses. She is about eight years old and I have had her for about five years now. When I adopted her, she had come from a very interesting background, and after overcoming heart worms, digestive problems, and ear infections, she adapted easily into her new life, exhibiting deep love and natural obedience. I consider Moses not only my best and most loyal companion, but also a very brilliant being. Most people that know Moses, whether they are good friends of mine or just random people walking down the street, find that she possesses very unique, intrinsic traits, and that she has a very kind, “gentle-giant” demeanor while still showing intelligent, self-aware, observational qualities. She has been declared by many friends and acquaintances of mine as being one of the best dogs they have ever met, and I can’t lie when I say that both Moses and I are quite content with this; me beaming with pride while she nuzzles closer, wagging her tail ecstatically.
All right, all right, bragging on my end is complete, and many thanks for those who got through that! However, the reason I begin this entry with such boasting is because many dog owners experience a lot of the same emotions about their own pooch. After all, dogs are our best friends, and we tend to find ourselves cooing over the way they quizzically tilt their heads at, or kissing them on their furry heads when they lay it upon our laps, and laughing at the way they chase after a frisbee, wild and so thrilled! Our dogs become not only a friend, but also a dear family member, sometimes equivalent to a child or younger sibling. While I think this attitude is perfectly fine, it is important for dog owners to remember a very important fact: the family dog is STILL a dog!
Now before I get accused of being “mean” or “hypocritical”, let me explain: I ABSOLUTELY understand where people are coming from when they refer to their dogs as their “kids” or even going so far as to say, “[Dog’s name here] is a person!”. For those cynics out there, I will admit that I may be one of them. You know, one of those people that has a “fur baby” and will accept and agree with any compliments my dog might receive from others, including the reoccurring, “Moses is a person” comment.
While I will gladly consent to the idea that Moses has some very humanistic personality attributes for a dog, I still keep in mind that when we get down to basic science: Moses is still a dog and an animal. She might have some extraordinary mental capabilities and have very clear communication skills, but I must not forget that she not the same as me.
The reason I write about this is because some people fail to remember the difference. Recently, just for kicks, I was browsing through Netflix and decided to watch a couple of episodes of Cesar Milan’s The Dog Whisperer. One particular episode stuck out for me, where Milan was trying to help a woman’s male dog meet and become friendly with a female dog, so that they could potentially become life companions and mates. The woman expressed her concerns and training hopes for her beloved dog, and she clearly felt that her dog was on the same level as a human child. Milan then tried to explain to the woman that in the end, her dog was still a dog, and her reaction was essentially pure bewilderment. You would’ve thought Milan had insulted her dog, calling him “ugly” or “a mongrel”! She essentially replied with (and I’m paraphrasing here), “How could you say that? He’s more than a dog!”
Okay, yeah, sure. We can say that your dog is a person. However, your dog is NOT human. His mind does not function the same way as the human mind. He does not experience all of the same feelings that humans experience. There’s that old rule that when a dog does something inappropriate (ie: pooping in the house, destroying your favorite pair of sneakers, etc.) and too much time has passed, it is useless and irresponsible to punish the dog for the inappropriate behavior. It is because a dog’s memory and the ability to utilize deductive logic is NOTHING like what we have and what we can do. So consequently, the dog is being punished but he does not understand why. All he knows is that your unhappy and he’s getting the short end of the stick.
When it comes to my dog Moses, I let her sleep in bed with me. However, if I am feeling exhausted or if she is taking too much space (always happens, doesn’t it?), I tell her to go back to her own bed. When I watch TV, she is welcome to join me on the couch and sit right next to me. Again, if I need some “me time”, I will let her know. I have conversations with her like she’s another person, but I also know she does not have the same knowledge of the English language like I do, therefore, may not fully comprehend what I am talking about. When it came to teaching Moses obedience that would keep her safe, happy and well-adjusted, I approached it with my vast knowledge of dog behavior and training, also guided by love, respect and common sense.
It is so easy to forget something so simple, but it is very important that people always remember that while they can spoil and treat their dogs like they are people, the dog must also be treated and trained as a dog. If we have these unrealistic expectations for our dogs, especially when it comes to training them out of behavioral problems, many dog owners are going to be very disappointed. I reiterate that I am okay with seeing our pups as perhaps extraordinary creatures, capable of high intelligence and empathy. I mean, hey, I have seen dogs that are way smarter than some people! However, it must also be reiterated that it would be unfair to compare our dogs to human beings, and expect them to learn and behave like human beings. It is important to love our dogs as family, but it also important for us to remain as consistent leaders and teachers for them.
If you have questions about getting your dog trained, give us a call! If you find that your dog person might need some assistance with combating some behavioral issues, contact us to schedule for initial consultation! We will meet you and your furry friend at your home, gather all the necessary background history and information, witness your dog’s behavior first-hand, and together plan a program that will meet your training goals!