Spinoff: Treating Dogs Like a Human

kelliope

What does it mean to treat a dog like a human? 

To me, I can illustrate it best by giving an example. I don't let my dogs on my bed. Some people think this is wrong and to let me know how wrong it is, they say, "How would you like to sleep on the floor"? It's really just comparing a dog's emotions, behaviors and needs to that of a human. Dogs deserve better than to be treated like humans. They SHOULD be treated like dogs. They have different needs than humans.

By the way, Cesar says that dogs should not be treated as humans, they should be treated as dogs. Not less than humans, just different. That's what he says. Maybe you're not watching enough.

kelliope

It seems to me people who say "Oh you treat your dogs like a human" have either watched too much Cesar Milan (and he has some doozies on there!) or are trying to feel better about the crappy way they treat their own dogs (who probably live in the kennel or backyard with little to no human interaction).

Thia is way beyond misinterpretation! I don't like people treating their dogs like humans and my dogs are spoiled rotten. You just don't understand what is meant by the phrase. That's no reason to assume people treat their dogs like crap.  

Treating my dog like a dog entails respecting her canine needs, and not applying MY OWN human needs to her.  She doesn't need to be my emotional crutch through life, excusing me from interracting with people if I was one of those folks who say they "prefer dogs over people."  She doesn't have a need to boost my ego when people compliment her appearance or behavior.  She doesn't need a Halloween costume, either.  To me, to be honest, to apply human attributes to your dog, beyond accepted canine attributes, is about feeding one's own human needs - not the dog's.

That stroller - your dogs don't "need" it- you do.  But acknowleding that fact seems to be beyond some folks- they want to believe that their dog wants things or behaves in ways that they, as the human, want.

I'm not sure if that's what you're trying to get at.  But that's my shot at an answer.

kelliope

This is a spinoff of the other thread.

What does it mean to treat a dog like a human?  Let him drive your car?  Send him to the grocery store?  Have him hire the contractor to fix your roof?  Seems so strange to me that this is even a question.

LOL. Not quite. I think what people mean is that sometimes we tend to "humanize" our dogs. For example; letting them be in control of you instead of you being in control of them. Atleast thats what I think of when I hear that statement.

Another (personal) example; I know these people that "humanized" there dog. Always let him be in control, drag them down the street, when he was a puppy they let him get away with everything, allowed it to jump up to the counters, gave him his own couch, never really disciplined him and the dog put "them" in there place when the dog felt it was needed. One day, he bit a girl jogging by the house just out of know where. And let me tell you, this was a LAB! A lab!! Labs DO NOT do this. AT ALL! NEVER! He did this because he was never disciplined and always treated like he was just another "person" living in the house.

Hope that helped!

Well I put clothes on Kujo and Ginger. So I guess that is too human for some people. I take Lillie and Kujo to town festivals when they come. I let Lillie sleep in the bed with me and Kujo sleeps in the bed with my daughter. I would let Cheyanne in bed with me but she sheds too much and would rather be on the old couch we have for the dogs. Jayde is more comfortable outside and Ginger sleeps in her crate for now ( still potty training). I buy pretty new collars about every 6 months not because they need new ones but I get tired of looking at the old ones. I always go to the pet aisles when at a store in case I find something I think the dogs would like. I also go through the toy aisles and get my daughter something.

My dogs still eat dog food, potty outside, swim in dirty icky ponds, roll in cow crap, etc. They know they are dogs as so do I. 

I treat my dogs like family. But I know that they are dogs and still need certain treatment that dogs need. I just do those things I've listed because I like to do them. So if people think I'm crazy oh well. I don't care. Heck everyone around here thinks I have too many dogs. I can love them all and afford them so I disagree with them.
 

I think I may be one of those people that treats their dogs like humans. I obviously know they're not, and I do have kids also and I of course put the needs of my kids first, but the dogs sleep on the bed if they want, sit on the couch, I take them places when I can, plan vacations where they can come along, etc. I also buy them christmas and birthday presents, stylish collars, and I might put clothes on them if they didn't have so much hair. I realize that all those things, (with the exception of taking them places, they really enjoy that), are for me. They don't care about what collar they have on, but I like to buy them things. I don't think there is anything wrong with that as long as they are also trained and their "dog" needs are fulfilled.

On the other hand, I also crate them, walk them on a leash, and feed them kibble in bowls on the floor. That's not very human like. My mom thinks that clipping their nails and brushing their teeth is over the top and treating them like humans, but most of us here see that as part of normal care.

I guess my point is that I don't understand the need to constantly say "I don't treat my dogs as human" or the emphasis people have to say that they DO NOT place their dogs over humans.  It seems odd to me.  It should be fairly obvious and I don't see a lot of people treating their dogs like a human.  In fact more often than not I see pets go by the wayside the minute a child enters the family or the animal does something the owner doesn't want to deal with.  Therefore it is hard for me to see a lot of people treating their dogs better than they do humans. 

 FWIW, I wouldn't let a human drag me down the street or prevent me from getting up on my own couch either.  I don't let humans act inappropriately in my home.  I don't accept humans jumping on my counter or eating out of my garbage.  Nor would I let most humans sleep in my bed.  However I do let my family members sleep in my bed including my dogs.  Of course mine are quite small and I certainly understand why many people choose not to have their dogs in their bed as even my tiny dogs take up lots of space! lol  As I said before, their stroller is for my own convenience not for the dogs.  They do love riding around in it, but only because they get to be with me!

Also, I personally have no problem with Cesar.  I like his show, watch it often and think he has skill with animals.  I am simply saying that I get a lot of people telling me I treat my dogs like a human because they watched the show ONCE and heard that on it.  Then when they see that I feed my dog fresh food they say I am a bad dog owner because I treat my dog like a human.  They always say "Oh, you feed your dogs HUMAN FOOD???"  To which I say, no I feed them fresh food.

2shelties, you and I think alike I would imagine.  Mine also get many things that are more for me than them.  But it brings me great enjoyment and joy.  However their dog needs are also fulfilled in the form of lots of play, rolling in horse poop at the barn, excercise, proper nutrition, vet care and mental stimulation. 

I just am peeved by those that are constantly being critical of others for treating their dogs like a human when in fact they are simply having fun with their pet.  It is usually said in quite a condescending manner as if the speaker is so superior to the poor sap who "humanizes" their pet.  And yes, most of those that say that to me personally do in fact treat their own dogs like crap - most are living in backyards with virtually no human interaction or have been kenneled off in the far corner of the backyard because their owners had kids and don't want poop on their lawns.  It is quite prevelant in my area.

Another (personal) example; I know these people that "humanized" there dog. Always let him be in control, drag them down the street, when he was a puppy they let him get away with everything, allowed it to jump up to the counters, gave him his own couch, never really disciplined him and the dog put "them" in there place when the dog felt it was needed. One day, he bit a girl jogging by the house just out of know where. And let me tell you, this was a LAB! A lab!! Labs DO NOT do this. AT ALL! NEVER! He did this because he was never disciplined and always treated like he was just another "person" living in the house.

That's just it!!!!  See I wouldn't let a human (think child) do any of these things.  You could basically replace some of the behaviors listed above with some that a child would do and come up with the same scenario.

"Another (personal) example; I know these people that "spoiled" their child. Always let him be in control, drag them down the street, when he was a child they let him get away with everything, allowed him to jump around, gave him everything he wanted, never really disciplined him and the child put "them" in there place when the child felt it was needed. One day, he slapped a girl in his class just out of nowhere. He did this because he was never disciplined and always treated like he was just another "person" living in the house."

See what I mean!  I HATE the term "humanize"!!!!!  How about just spoiled.  Fits much better.

Allow me to repeat what I said in the other thread... before it turned "bad"...with some more added at the end =]

I don't treat my dog as a human. I treat him as if he is a part of my family. But I don't forget he is an animal. He has rules he must obey, things he can do, and cannot. As a part of my family, he stays inside my house. Dogs will be dogs. If he wants to dig, he digs. He must sit for food, treats, walks, etc. He must not run out the front door, and he must potty outside. This is expected of all dogs visiting, and living, in my home. Cats follow the same rules, only they must potty in their box.

Dogs are animals, that we have domesitcated into our lifestyle. We bring them into our homes to be treated as companions, and I think they should be treated as such. I think people start to get the wrong idea when they DO think of their pets as humans. When they forget that they ARE animals, that they DO have teeth, and if provocted, they WILL bite.

No amount of training can make your dog a human. Even the most well-trained, reliable dog CAN BITE. The moment you stop to believe that, is the moment problems begin. Too many people think "I've trained my dog, he wont bite." But the truth is, he IS NOT a human. He does not know that his natural instinct is wrong.

i dont understand it either really.... but in a forum like this i think some outsiders might assume we're a bunch of weirdos who put clothes, shoes, hats, designer junk on our dogs and put human emotions on them "noooooooo Fi fi Doesnt like it when you make that face at him! look!! he's upset now!! aww Fi fi she didnt mean it! come back and finish your ice cream.. poor widdo babyboo...mamma wuffs her widdo froofrypants!" these same people also get upset if you say to their dog "You dumb dog -laugh out loud- you've lived in this house six years and still think you can get traction on tile!" .. now if i said that to someones kid... yeah i would expect to insult the kid and parents.... children understand words like that and have feelings that react to name calling... dogs.... do not.. No doesnt mean i think the dog is really dumb for running in place for sixty seconds.. it would be the same thing(to me)if i called the dog silly, goofy, what ever.. but some people get royally cheesed off if you call their dog a name lol sorry i do laugh at those people. the dog doesnt give a flying fart what name you call it!

people that put THOSE emotions onto their dog probably do value a canine life above humans... probably WOULD let a child drown before they would let their pet drown.. so when an outsider with "just a dog" comes in and sees a forum dedicated JUST to dogs... it blows them away. they've made up their minds that we're freaks who worship dogs and carry them around in expensive purses.. So these people feel a need to point out how level headed and mentally adjusted they are compared to us "dog-worshipers"..... i gotta admit i think its a bit "odd" to throw birthday parties for dogs, BUT i also think its odd to make a huge ordeal out of "Baby's First Christmas/Easter/Poopy Diaper" however i understand why people do it.... its not that its the FIRST .. or the dog's Birthday.. its a reason to celebrate and create lasting memories. i'm just not one of those personalities to make an ordeal out of anything. i wont condemn people for doing it though.

i wont say which i value most, canine or human life. if any of you guys know me well enough by now then you will already know the answer and i shouldnt have to say.
 

Bkimura28

kelliope

This is a spinoff of the other thread.

What does it mean to treat a dog like a human?  Let him drive your car?  Send him to the grocery store?  Have him hire the contractor to fix your roof?  Seems so strange to me that this is even a question.

LOL. Not quite. I think what people mean is that sometimes we tend to "humanize" our dogs. For example; letting them be in control of you instead of you being in control of them. Atleast thats what I think of when I hear that statement.

Another (personal) example; I know these people that "humanized" there dog. Always let him be in control, drag them down the street, when he was a puppy they let him get away with everything, allowed it to jump up to the counters, gave him his own couch, never really disciplined him and the dog put "them" in there place when the dog felt it was needed. One day, he bit a girl jogging by the house just out of know where. And let me tell you, this was a LAB! A lab!! Labs DO NOT do this. AT ALL! NEVER! He did this because he was never disciplined and always treated like he was just another "person" living in the house.

Hope that helped!

That is exactly what is going on with my parent's dog.  They have a little shi-a-poo, they've always treated him like a person, humanizing him and in my view there is a difference between humanizing and spoiling.  They think it's "mean" not to allow dogs to do all the things children can do and to exclude them in anything, like meals.  When they go out to eat they always order for the dog, of course now he's overweight and unhealthy, they say they "have" to order for him or else the dog won't let them eat because he'll jump on them the whole time (I'm referring to when they go to a drive thru, not a sit down resturant) .  This dog has never been disciplined and he's become aggressive.  Instead of training him now they are still treating him like a human, he lunged a child while on a walk recently and my parents solution was to basically ignore the dog for a week as a punishment:(     Of course the dog had no idea why he was being ignored and it caused him to be even worse.  Now they are thinking of getting rid of him and it's truly not his fault, he doesn't know any better, they've never taught him how to behave. .  They just don't understand that dog psychology is different than human psychology and they set themselves up for a lot of disappointment when the dog actually acted like a dog.

I think pushing dogs who are capable of walking in a stroller is a bit odd, I've seen people do it at the dog park, put their dog in a stroller to push them to the car. Unless there is some reason why the dog has to be in a stroller it just seems like treating them like a human baby. 

i think its odd to see chubby seven year olds being pushed in strollers too.....

if they're long coated high maintenance dogs.... then maybe i see a reason for it... or health problems?

i dunno lol i like toy breeds with long hair but cant see myself doing something as silly as using a stroller

DumDog

i think its odd to see chubby seven year olds being pushed in strollers too.....

if they're long coated high maintenance dogs.... then maybe i see a reason for it... or health problems?

i dunno lol i like toy breeds with long hair but cant see myself doing something as silly as using a stroller

Yeah, if there is health problems I can understand, but otherwise I think it's like an adult playing house and trying to act like a mommy to a human baby and it can't be healthy.  If a dog is healthy enough to play at the dog park I think it's healthy enough to walk to the car afterwards:)

DumDog

if they're long coated high maintenance dogs.... then maybe i see a reason for it... or health problems?

My dogs are long coated dogs and I don't think that would like a stroller.  They like to get out and smell the roses on a walk.  The only reason I could see us using one is for my GF's 15 year old Breezy.  She has arthritis and doesn't walk so well anymore.  When we go on trips to Savannah or Tallahassee or places like that it would be nice to be able to take her along if we wanted to to a walking tour.  Right now she can't walk too far and has to stay at the Motel (which she doesn't mind as she can catch up on her sleep, her favorite activity anymore).

DumDog and LillianD, you two probably gave the best explanations of "humanizing".   I too would describe that as humanizing - a first for me.   Usually I associate the word humanizing with very condescending and ignorant people who think such things as feeding fresh food, putting a coat on a small dog who can't stay warm on his own, or letting your dog sit on the couch with you is humanizing.

 By the way, my dogs walk everywhere.  They go for 3 hour hikes frequently and are walked every single day without fail.  They go houseboating, swimming, etc.  They also go out to the horse barn with me every single day and play with my mom's 7 dogs, roll in poop, eat poop, get muddy, etc.

The stroller is only for when I have to stop by a store or something on my way home.  It allows me to bring my dogs inside with me without disrupting anyone else.  They are contained, off the ground, covered and not visible to anyone.  My horse barn is a bit of a drive from my house and sometimes I have to run an errand on the way home.  I do not like to leave them in the car so if I have to run into a store (not food stores) I bring them inside, hidden away in their stroller.  I don't like to draw attention to the fact that I have a dog in there so I keep it covered and my pups are silent - happy just being with me.

I would never wheel my dogs around outside or to the dog park - what's the point of that???